AIRMEDIA GROUP INC. (AMCN)
20-F
Annual and transition report of foreign private issuers pursuant to
sections 13 or 15(d)
Filed on 05/06/2011
Filed Period 12/31/2010
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ ] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report _________________________
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________.
Commission file number: 001-33765
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Cayman Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
17/F, Sky Plaza
No. 46 Dongzhimenwai Street
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100027
The People's Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Ping Sun
AirMedia Group Inc.
17/F, Sky Plaza
No. 46 Dongzhimenwai Street
Dongcheng District, Beijing 10027
The People's Republic of China
Phone: +86 10 8438 6868
Email: sunping@airmedia.net.cn
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share*
American Depositary Shares, each representing two ordinary sharesThe NASDAQ Global Market
* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on The NASDAQ Global Market of American depositary shares, each representing two ordinary
shares.
Name of each exchange on which registered
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
131,905,011 ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share, as of December 31, 2010.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] No [X]
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 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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to
be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit and post such files)
Yes [ ] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
Large Accelerated Filer [ ]Accelerated Filer [X]
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
Non-Accelerated Filer [ ]
U.S. GAAP [X]International Financial Reporting [ ]
Standards as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board
Other [ ]
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
[ ] Item 17 [ ] Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
Annual Report on Form 20-F
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Item 1.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Item 3. Key Information
Item 4.
Information on the Company
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 10. Additional Information
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
Financial Information
The Offer and Listing
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Securities Holders and Use of Proceeds
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Item 16A.Audit Committee Financial Expert
Item 16B.Code of Ethics
Item 16C.Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Item 16D.Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Item 16F. Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
Item 16G.Corporate Governance
Item 17. Financial Statements
Item 18. Financial Statements
Item 19. Exhibits
PART III
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Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this annual report to:
USE OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
• "ADS" are references to our American depositary shares, each of which represents two ordinary shares;
• "China" and "PRC" are references to the People's Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this annual report only, Hong Kong, Macau and
Taiwan; "ordinary shares" are references to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share;
• "ordinary shares" refers to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share;
• "preferred shares" refers to our Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares and Series B redeemable convertible preferred shares, all of which
were converted into our ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial public offering on November 13, 2007;
• "RMB" and "Renminbi" are to the legal currency of China;
• "U.S. dollars," "$," "US$" and "dollars" are references to the legal currency of the United States;
• "we," "us," "our," the "Company" and "AirMedia" are references to the combined business of AirMedia Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries
and variable interest entities;
Although AirMedia does not directly or indirectly own any equity interests in its consolidated variable interest entities or their subsidiaries, AirMedia is the
primary beneficiary of and effectively controls these entities through a series of contractual arrangements with these entities and their record owners. We have
consolidated the financial results of these variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the U.S., or U.S. GAAP. See "Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure," "Item 7.
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions" and "Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors" for further information
on our contractual arrangements with these parties.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report on Form 20-F contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the "safe harbor provisions" of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan,"
"believe," "likely to" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about
future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These
forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:
• our growth strategies;
• our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;
• our plans to expand our air travel advertising network into additional locations, airports and airlines;
• our plans to expand our advertising network into other out-of-home advertising platforms such as billboards and light boxes located at gas stations;
• competition in the advertising industry and the air travel advertising industry in China;
•
•
• PRC governmental policies relating to the advertising industry.
the expected growth in consumer spending, average income levels and advertising spending levels;
the growth of the air travel sector in China; and
Also, forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this annual report. You should read this annual report and the
documents that we referred and filed as exhibits to this report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different
from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
1
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
PART I
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. Selected Financial Data
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following table represents our selected consolidated financial information. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 have been derived from our audited
consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our audited financial statements for the relevant periods, which are not included in this annual report.
The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been derived from our audited financial statements for the
relevant periods, which are not included in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S.
GAAP.
In the following table, the "billboards on gate bridges in airports" category and part of the original "other displays" category traditionally used in our revenue
presentation in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 were combined and reclassified as one category, "traditional media in
airports," which includes revenues from all traditional forms of media in airports, such as billboards, light boxes and gate bridges in airport advertising. The
remaining part of the original "other displays" category, mainly consisting of revenues from advertising displays on digital TV screens on airport shuttle buses
and logos for various display equipment in airports, is now reclassified as the "other revenues in air travel" category. The "gas station media network"
category consists of advertising platforms such as billboards and light boxes located in some gas stations of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, or
Sinopec. Revenues now also include a new "other media" category, which represents primarily revenues from Beijing AirMedia City Outdoor Advertising
Co., Ltd., or AM Outdoor, a company our variable interest entity, Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd., or AM Advertising, acquired in January 2010
which operates unipole signs and other outdoor media across Beijing, Tianjin and the highways between several cities in Northern China.
These selected consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our consolidated
financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" below. Our
historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods.
Year Ended December 31,
2006
2008
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share, per share and per ADS data)
2010
2007
2009
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues:
Air Travel Media Network
Digital frames in airports
Digital TV screens in airports
Digital TV screens on airplanes
Traditional media in airports
Other revenues in air travel
Gas Station Media Network
Other Media
Total revenues
$
— $
10,502
4,868
2,055
1,471
—
—
18,896
1,263 $
26,921
11,093
1,872
2,462
—
—
43,611
45,011 $
47,591
19,227
6,490
7,221
—
—
125,540
$
66,255
37,260
17,082
27,192
4,639
102
—
152,530
2
113,196
28,905
27,564
48,418
4,063
3,664
10,650
236,460
Business tax and other sales tax
Net revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing (including share- based compensation of nil, $274, $1,158, $1,540 and $2,424 in 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009 and 2010, respectively)
General and administrative (including share-based compensation of nil, $18,831, $3,805, $4,226 and $5,547 in 2006,
(961)
17,935
(10,040)
7,895
(1,983)
41,628
(21,365)
20,263
(6,107)
119,433
(70,995)
48,438
(3,102)
149,428
(147,541)
1,887
(5,955)
230,505
197,908
32,597
(2,751)
(4,813)
(10,171)
(13,439)
(18,112)
2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Impairment of intangible assets
Total operating expenses
Income/(loss) from operations
Interest income
Gain on remeasurement of fair value of cost and equity method investments (net)
Other income, net
Income/(loss) before income taxes
Income tax benefits
Net income/(loss) before share of income/(loss) on equity method investments
Share of income/(loss) on equity method investments
Net income/(loss)
Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders per ordinary share—basic
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders per ordinary share—diluted
Net income/ (loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders per ADS —basic(1)
Net income/ (loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders per ADS —diluted(1)
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income/(loss) per ordinary share—basic
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income/(loss) per ordinary share—diluted
(1) Each ADS represents two ordinary shares.
(1,293)
-
(4,044)
3,851
17
—
—
3,868
197
4,065
—
4,065
(1)
4,066 $
0.03 $
0.03 $
0.06 $
0.06 $
(24,646)
(1,000)
(43,758)
(11,161)
694
919
940
(8,608)
735
(7,873)
290
(7,583)
(2,666)
(4,917)
$
(0.04)
$
(0.04)
$
(0.07)
$
$
(0.07)
62,400,000 73,469,589 133,603,419 131,320,730 131,252,115
62,400,000 73,469,589 137,782,135 131,320,730 131,252,115
(34,936)
-
(48,375)
(46,488)
2,025
—
1,239
(43,224)
6,032
(37,192)
164
(37,028)
211
(37,239)$
(0.28)$
(0.28)$
(0.57)$
(0.57)$
(21,982)
-
(26,795)
(6,532)
1,745
—
—
(4,787)
195
(4,592)
(520)
(5,112)
(2)
(5,110)$
(0.12)$
(0.12)$
(0.23)$
(0.23)$
(14,374)
-
(24,545)
23,893
5,379
—
1,135
30,407
498
30,905
(325)
30,580
382
30,198 $
0.23 $
0.22 $
0.45 $
0.44 $
We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 810-10-65, Transition Related to FASB
Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51, or ASC 810-10-65, on January 1, 2009
retrospectively.
3
The following table presents a summary of our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010:
As of December 31,
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash
Total assets
Total liabilities
Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares
Total AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders' equity
Noncontrolling interests
Total equity
$
We adopted ASC 810-10-65 (formerly FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests) on January 1, 2009, retrospectively.
210,915 $
266,859
9,257
—
257,605
(3)
257,602 $
2,086 $
20,547
9,511
13,736
221
(1)
220 $
161,534 $
329,891
28,208
—
300,730
953
301,683 $
$
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
2008
2009
2010
123,754 $
316,651
50,372
—
263,042
3,237
266,279 $
106,505
347,186
70,470
—
275,668
1,048
276,716
Exchange Rate Information
Our reporting and financial statements are expressed in the U.S. dollar, which is our reporting and functional currency. However, substantially all of the
revenues and expenses of our consolidated operating subsidiaries and variable interest entities are denominated in RMB. This annual report contains
translations of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to
U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB 6.6000 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate as set forth in the H.10
statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board for December 30, 2010. We make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have
been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The Chinese government
imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange. On May 3, 2011, the
noon buying rate was RMB6.4969 to US$1.00.
The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided
solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this annual report or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports
or any other information to be provided to you.
Period End
Average (2)
Low
High
Noon Buying Rate (1)
7.8041
7.2946
6.8225
6.8259
6.6670
6.6000
(RMB per US$1.00)
7.9579
7.5806
6.9459
6.8307
6.6538
6.6497
8.0702
7.8127
7.2946
6.8470
6.6892
6.6745
7.8041
7.2946
6.3879
6.8176
6.6791
6.6000
6.5809
6.5520
6.5483
6.4900
For periods prior to January 1, 2009, the exchange rates reflect the noon buying rates as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For
periods after January 1, 2009, the exchange rates reflect the noon buying rates as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.
Annual averages are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.
6.6017
6.5965
6.5743
6.5477
6.6017
6.5713
6.5483
6.4900
6.5843
6.5761
6.5645
6.5267
4
Period
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
November
December
2011
January
February
March
April
(1)
(2)
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
An investment in our capital stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other
information included in this annual report, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial
condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our capital stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your
investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We have incurred net losses in the past and may incur losses in the future.
We have incurred net losses for certain periods in the past. We pay concession fees to airports for placing and operating our digital displays, to airlines for
placing our programs on their digital TV screens and to airports and gas stations for placing and operating our advertisements on traditional media platforms
such as light boxes and billboards. These fees constitute a significant part of our cost of revenues and are mostly fixed under the concession rights contracts
with an escalation clause; payments are usually due three or six months in advance. However, our revenues may fluctuate significantly from period to period
for various reasons. For instance, when new concession rights contracts are signed during a period, additional concession fees are incurred immediately, but it
may take some time for us to create revenues from these concession rights contracts because it takes time to find advertisers for the time slots and locations
made available under these new contracts. If our revenues decrease in a given period, we may be unable to reduce our cost of revenues as a significant part of
our cost of revenues is fixed, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations and lead to a net loss for that period.
We have a limited operating history, which may make it difficult for you to evaluate our business and prospects.
We began our business operations in August 2005. Our limited operating history may not provide a meaningful basis for you to evaluate our business,
financial performance and prospects. It is also difficult to evaluate the viability of our air travel advertising network because we do not have sufficient
experience to address the risks frequently encountered by early stage companies using new forms of advertising media and entering new and rapidly evolving
markets. Certain members of our senior management team have worked together for only a relatively short period of time and it may be difficult for you to
evaluate their effectiveness, on an individual or collective basis, and ability to address future challenges to our business. Because of our limited operating
history, we may not be able to:
• preserve our market position in the air travel advertising market in China;
• manage our relationships with airports and airlines to retain existing concession rights contracts and obtain new concession rights contracts on
commercially advantageous terms or at all;
retain existing and acquire new advertisers and third party content providers;
•
• secure a sufficient number of low-cost digital frames and digital TV screens from our suppliers;
• manage our expanding operations, including effectively integrating acquired businesses;
• successfully expand into other advertising media platforms, including traditional media platforms in airports, gas station media platforms and outdoor
media platforms;
respond to competitive market conditions;
respond to changes in the PRC regulatory regime;
•
•
• maintain adequate control of our costs and expenses; or
• attract, train, motivate and retain qualified personnel.
If advertisers or the viewing public do not accept, or lose interest in, our air travel advertising network, we may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow
from our operating activities and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
5
The market for air travel advertising network in China is relatively new and its potential is uncertain. We compete for advertising spending with many forms
of more established advertising media such as television, print media, Internet and other types of out-of-home advertising. Our success depends on the
acceptance of our air travel advertising network by advertisers and their interest in this medium as a part of their advertising strategies. In this annual report,
the term "advertisers" refer to the ultimate brand-owners whose brands and products are being publicized by our advertisements, including both advertisers
that purchase advertisements directly from us and advertisers that do so through third-party advertising agencies. Our advertisers may elect not to use our
services if they believe that consumers are not receptive to our media network or that our network is not a sufficiently effective advertising medium. If
consumers find our network to be disruptive or intrusive, airports and airplane companies may refuse to allow us to operate our air travel advertising network
in airports or to place our programs on airplanes, and our advertisers may reduce spending on our network.
Air travel advertising is a relatively new concept in China and in the advertising industry generally. If we are not able to adequately track air traveler
responses to our programs, in particular track the demographics of air travelers most receptive to air travel advertising, we will not be able to provide
sufficient feedback and data to existing and potential advertisers to help us generate demand and determine pricing. Without improved market research,
advertisers may reduce their use of air travel advertising and instead turn to more traditional forms of advertising that have more established and proven
methods of tracking the effectiveness of advertisements.
Demand for our advertising services and the resulting advertising spending by our advertisers may fluctuate from time to time, and our advertisers may reduce
the money they spend to advertise on our network for any number of reasons. If a substantial number of our advertisers lose interest in advertising on our
media network for these or other reasons or become unwilling to purchase advertising time slots or locations on our network, we will be unable to generate
sufficient revenues and cash flow to operate our business, and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We may be adversely affected by a significant or prolonged economic downturn in the level of consumer spending in the industries and markets served by
our customers.
Our business is affected by the demand for our advertising time slots from our customers, which is determined by the level of business activity and economic
condition of our customers. The level of business activity of our customers is in turn determined by the level of consumer spending in the markets our
customers serve. Therefore, our businesses and earnings are affected by general business and economic conditions in China and abroad.
In 2010, the top three industries that advertise on our network were automobile, finance and high-end food and beverages, based on revenues derived from
advertisers in these industries. Any significant or prolonged decline of the PRC and global economy will affect consumers' disposable income and consumer
spending in these industries, and lead to a decrease in demand for our services. On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced a severe earthquake, followed by
deadly tsunamis that severely crippled a key nuclear plant and led to the release of dangerous levels of radiation. These events devastated large parts of Japan
and negatively affected its economy, including its automobile industry and the extended supply chain. Effective on January 1, 2011, the City of Beijing started
the new license-plate lottery measures under which the city issues 17,600 new plates each month in an effort to reduce traffic and pollution. Although the
extent of these impacts on our business is hard to measure, to the extent that any decrease in supply or demand for our consumers' products translates into a
decline in the demand for our advertising time slots and services, our performance and business will be adversely affected.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from the provision of air travel advertising services. A contraction in the air travel advertising industry in
China may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Substantially all of our historical revenues have been and a significant portion of our expected future revenues will be generated from the provision of air
travel advertising services, in particular through the display of advertisements on digital frames located in airports and digital TV screens located in airports
and on airplanes. Most of our traditional advertising media platforms, such as billboards and painted advertisement on gate bridges and light boxes, and other
displays, such as logo displays and shuttle bus displays, are located in or near airports. A contraction in air travel advertising industry in China could have a
material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
If we are unable to carry out our operations as specified in existing concession rights contracts, retain or renew existing concession rights contracts or
obtain new concession rights contracts on commercially advantageous terms, we may be unable to maintain or expand our network coverage and our
costs may increase significantly in the future.
Our ability to generate revenues from advertising sales depends largely upon our ability to provide a large air travel advertising network for the display of
advertisements. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to carry out our operations as specified in our concession rights contracts, and any failure
to perform may damage our relationships with advertisers and advertising agencies and materially and negatively affect our business.
6
We may also be unable to retain or renew concession rights contracts when they expire. Most of our concession rights contracts to operate advertising media
in airports and on airplanes typically have terms ranging from three to five years, with no automatic renewal provisions. As of December 31, 2010, we had in
total approximately 37 concession rights contracts to be renewed in the next twelve months, with aggregated confession fees of approximately $50 million.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to renew any or all of these contracts when they expire, and the terms of any renewal may not be commercially
advantageous to us. The concession fees that we incur under our concession rights contracts comprise a significant portion of our cost of revenues, but airports
and airlines tend to increase concession fees over time, so as some of our concession rights contracts terminate, we may experience a significant increase in
our costs of revenues when we renew these contracts. If we cannot pass increased concession costs onto our advertisers through rate increases, our earnings
and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, most of our concession rights contracts to operate in airports and on
airplanes contain provisions granting us certain exclusive concession rights. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain these exclusivity provisions
when we renew these contracts. If we were to lose exclusivity, our advertisers may decide to advertise with our competitors or otherwise reduce their
spending on our network and we may lose market share.
Certain concession rights contracts allow the airports to terminate the contracts unilaterally without any compensation in certain circumstances. We cannot
assure you that our concession rights contracts will not be terminated, whether with or without justification. In addition, most of our concession rights
contracts were entered into with the advertising companies operated by or advertising agencies hired by airports or airline companies, and not with the airports
or airline companies directly. Although these advertising companies and agents have generally assured us in writing that they have the rights to operate
advertising media in airports or on airplanes and all of them have performed their contractual obligations, we cannot assure you that airports or airline
companies will not challenge or revoke the contractual concession rights granted to us by their advertising companies or agents; if such challenges or
revocations occur, our revenues and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If we fail to perform under existing concession rights contracts, retain existing concession rights contracts or obtain new concession rights contracts on
commercially advantageous terms, we may be unable to maintain or expand our network coverage and our costs may increase significantly in the future.
A significant portion of our revenues has been derived from the five largest airports and three largest airlines in China. If any of these airports or airlines
experiences a material business disruption, we would likely incur substantial losses of revenues.
We derived a significant portion of our total revenues in 2010 from the five largest airports in China: Beijing Capital International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun
International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Shenzhen International Airport. A material business disruption,
major construction or renovation or natural disaster affecting any of the airports in our network could negatively affect our advertising media in such airport
or materially limit where we can place our advertising media.
In addition, we derived a significant portion of our advertising revenues in 2010 from the three largest domestic airlines in China. If any of these airlines loses
market share and we are not able to add other airlines or increase the revenues generated from existing airlines in our network, our advertisers may decide to
spend less on our advertising network.
We expect these five airports and three airlines to continue to contribute a significant portion of our revenues in the foreseeable future. If there were a material
business disruption in any of these airports or airlines, we would likely lose a substantial amount of revenues.
We depend on third-party program producers to provide the non-advertising content that we include in our programs. Failure to obtain high-quality
content on commercially reasonable terms could materially reduce the attractiveness of our network, harm our reputation and materially and adversely
affect our business and results of operations.
The programs on the majority of our digital TV screens include both advertising and non-advertising content. Third-party content providers such as China
International TV Corporation, Shanghai Media Group and various local television stations and television production companies provide substantially all of the
non-advertising content played over our network. In November 2010, we entered into a strategic partnership with China Central Television International
Mobile Media Ltd., or CCTV Mobile Media, a subsidiary of China Central Television to operate a TV channel of CCTV Mobile Media, or CCTV Air
Channel, to broadcast TV programs in our digital TV screens located in airports. The partnership agreement has a term of 15 years until November 28, 2025.
7
There is no assurance that we will be able to renew these contracts or obtain non-advertising content on satisfactory terms, or at all. In addition, some of the
third-party content providers that currently do not charge us for their content may do so in the future. To make our programs more attractive, we must
continue to secure contracts with these and other third-party content providers. If we fail to obtain a sufficient amount of high-quality content on a cost-
effective basis, advertisers may find advertising on our network unattractive and may not wish to purchase advertising time slots or locations on our network,
which would materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
If we are unable to attract advertisers to purchase advertising time on our advertising network, we will be unable to maintain or increase our advertising
fees, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow our profits.
We believe our advertisers choose to advertise on our network in part based on the size of our network, the desirability of the locations where we have placed
our digital frames, digital TV screens, light boxes and billboards and the attractiveness of our network content. The fees we charge for advertisements on our
network depend on the size and quality of our network and advertiser demand. If we fail to maintain or increase the number of our displays, solidify our brand
name and reputation as a quality air travel advertising provider, or obtain high-quality non-advertising content at commercially reasonable prices, advertisers
may be unwilling to purchase time on our network or to pay the levels of advertising fees we require to grow our profits.
When our current advertising network of digital frames, digital TV screens, light boxes, billboards and gate bridges becomes saturated in the major
airports, airlines and other locations where we operate, we may be unable to offer additional time slots or locations to satisfy all of our advertisers' needs,
which could hamper our ability to generate higher levels of revenues and profitability over time.
When our network of digital frames, digital TV screens, light boxes, billboards and gate bridges becomes saturated in any particular airport, airline and other
locations where we operate, we may be unable to offer additional advertising time slots or locations to satisfy all of our advertisers' needs. We would need to
increase our advertising rates for advertising in such airports, airlines or other locations to increase our revenues. However, advertisers may be unwilling to
accept rate increases, which could hamper our ability to generate higher levels of revenues over time. In particular, the utilization rates of our advertising time
slots and locations in the five largest airports and on the three largest airlines in China are higher than those in other network airports or on other airlines, and
saturation or oversaturation of digital frames and digital TV screens in these airports or airlines could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects.
Our strategy of expanding our advertising network by building new air travel media platforms and expanding into traditional media may not succeed, and
our failure to do so could materially reduce the attractiveness of our network and harm our business, reputation and results of operations.
Our air travel advertising network primarily consists of standard digital frames and digital TV screens. Our growth strategy includes broadening our service
offerings by continuing to increase our digital media network coverage and expanding into traditional media to become a comprehensive air travel advertising
provider in China.
We have significantly expanded our digital frame platform in airports by upgrading our light box displays to digital frames and installing new digital frames.
We intend to continue increasing the number of our digital frames in the near future. We could incur significant costs in installing new digital frames or in
continuing to upgrade some of our existing light box displays to digital frame displays. As part of our strategic efforts to become a one-stop provider for
advertising, we have also expanded into the traditional media advertising market to offer a broader range of advertising opportunities to our advertisers. We
may continue to expand in the traditional media area as opportunities presents themselves and we could also incur significant costs in installing new billboards
or light boxes or maintaining existing ones.
The majority of our concession rights contracts containing exclusive concession rights only grants us exclusivity with respect to digital frames and digital TV
screens. By entering and expanding into traditional advertising media platforms inside airports, we may face competition from other companies that are
already in these areas. We also have limited experience working in these areas. It is uncertain how these businesses will perform. Our failure to expand our air
travel advertising network to introduce new platforms and into new areas could materially reduce the attractiveness of our network and materially and
adversely affect our business and results of operations.
8
If we do not succeed in our expansion into the business of outdoor media advertising, our future results of operations and growth prospects may be
materially and adversely affected.
Our growth strategy also includes expansion into other traditional media outside of airports. In April 2009, we entered into an exclusive concession rights
contract with Sinopec which allows us to operate media platforms in Sinopec gas stations throughout China. Our variable interest entity, AM Advertising,
now holds 100% of AM Outdoor which operates out-of-home advertising media in urban locations in Beijing. Another one of our variable interest entities,
Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd., or AirMedia UC, now holds 75% equity interest in Dongding Gongyi Advertising Media Ltd., or Dongding, a
company that has exclusive rights to build and operate, in locations throughout Beijing such as mall parking lots, schools and residential communities,
outdoor billboards that display both public service content and commercial advertising throughout Beijing.
As we are new in the gas station media advertising and outdoor media advertising market, it may take us an extended period of time to obtain advertisers and
market acceptance and to ramp up revenue from this new business. However, under all of our existing concession rights agreements regarding our gas station
and outdoor media displays, we are required to pay periodic, fixed concession fees for the media platforms regardless of whether or not such platforms are
used by advertisers.
We may also incur significant costs in maintaining and upgrading the gas station and outdoor traditional media platforms such as billboards, which are more
vulnerable to weather and other accidental damages than indoor displays.
For the gas station media platforms that are covered under the Sinopec concession rights contract, there are approvals required from various levels of local
governments for the operation of each outdoor media platform. However, there are significant uncertainties regarding which local government agencies or
which sets of local laws and regulations govern our gas station media platforms in specific locations. We have obtained approvals in the city of Tianjin, and
coordinated orally with the local governments in other cities in which we operate such gas station media platforms. Although some local government
authorities have not given approval due to lack of specific administrative procedures, no written application for approval has been filed or denied in any other
city, and based on our previous communications with various local government authorities, we do not believe any other formal approvals are required to
operate these gas station media platforms.
Although we are using best efforts to comply with all relevant laws and regulations and obtain all necessary certificates, registrations and approvals for the
advertising media platforms it operates, including actively consulting every relevant local government authority in every city in which we operate to ascertain
the legal requirements for our business operations in the area and continually monitoring local government announcements for any relevant updates in such
requirements, due to the complexity of local laws and regulations across China governing outdoor media advertising platforms, there can be no assurance that
we will be able to obtain or have all of the necessary approvals which we do not currently hold in a timely manner, or at all. Any delay or failure in obtaining
the necessary approvals may materially and adversely affect the expansion into the business of outdoor media advertising, from which we derived less than
0.1% and 4.5% of our revenues in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Similarly, we face the same risks for the operation of outdoor media platforms through AM
Outdoor and Dongding.
Our concession rights contract with Sinopec also sets forth a schedule which states that we must develop and begin operating a set number of gas station
media platforms by certain dates, subject to various carveouts and exemptions. We cannot assure you that we can fulfill this schedule as anticipated under this
concession rights agreement, and failure to fulfill the schedule may lead to termination of the relevant concession rights agreement by the other party.
For each new business into which we enter, we face competition from existing leading providers in that business; the same applies in the cases of gas station
media advertising and outdoor media advertising markets. If we cannot successfully address the foregoing new challenges and compete effectively against the
existing leading players in the field of gas station and outdoor media advertising, we may not be able to develop a sufficiently large advertiser base, recover
costs incurred for developing and marketing our new business, and eventually achieve profitability from these businesses, and our future results of operations
and growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
9
If advertising registration certificates are not obtained for our airport advertising operations where such registration certificates are deemed to be
required, we may be subject to administrative sanctions, including the discontinuation of our advertisements at airports where the required advertising
registration is not obtained.
Applicable PRC regulations promulgated by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, specify that advertisements placed inside or
outside of the "departure halls" of airports are considered outdoor advertisements and must be registered with local SAIC offices by "advertising distributors."
However, the terms "advertising distributors" and "departure halls" are not defined under any PRC laws and regulations. To ensure that our airport operations
fully comply with the applicable laws and regulations, we have contacted the local SAIC offices in the cities where we have operations or intend to operate to
see whether we need to apply for advertising registration certificates. However, the local SAIC offices we consulted have expressed different views on
whether the advertisements shown on our digital frames and digital TV screens would be regarded as outdoor advertisements and how to register those
advertisements, if such registrations are required. As of the date of this annual report, only the Shanghai and Beijing SAICs have accepted our application and
issued outdoor advertising registration certificates. Some local SAIC offices did not accept our applications due to the lack of specific administrative
procedures, some local SAIC offices indicated that they needed more time to consider, while others have given oral permission for our operations and do not
require us to make such registrations.
We intend to register with the relevant local SAIC offices if we are required to do so, but we cannot assure you that we will obtain all applicable registration
certificates in compliance with the outdoor advertisement provisions due to the uncertainty in the implementation and enforcement of the regulations
promulgated by the SAIC. If a required registration is not obtained, the relevant local SAIC office may require us to forfeit our relevant advertising income,
impose administrative fines of up to RMB30,000 and/or require us to discontinue advertisements at airports where the required advertising registration is not
obtained. We have consulted with our PRC counsel regarding the likelihood that the relevant local SAIC offices will impose these penalties on us in the cities
where we have not obtained advertising registration certificates. Due to the uncertainty of the SAIC regulations and the different views expressed by local
SAIC offices, neither our PRC counsel nor we can estimate this likelihood. Any of these government measures could materially and adversely affect our
business and results of operations.
If we fail to obtain approvals for the inclusion of non-advertising content in our programs broadcast in digital TV screens in airlines, we may be unable to
continue to include such non-advertising content in our programs, which may cause our revenues to decline and our business and prospects to
deteriorate.
Most of the digital TV screens in our network include programs that consist of both advertising content and non-advertising content. The State Administration
of Radio, Film or Television, or the SARFT, issued a circular which stated that displaying audio-video programs such as television news, films and television
shows, sports, technology and entertainment through public audio-video systems located in automobiles, buildings, airports, bus or train stations, shops and
other outdoor public systems must be approved by the SARFT.
The relevant authority in China has not promulgated any implementation rules on the procedure of applying for the requisite approval pursuant to this circular.
We intend to obtain such approval for our non-advertising content, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such approval in compliance with
this circular, or at all. In November 2010, we entered into a strategic partnership with CCTV Mobile Media to operate the CCTV Air Channel to broadcast TV
programs to air travelers in China. Under the arrangement, CCTV Mobile Media will be responsible for program planning, production and broadcasting. The
Company will operate exclusively the advertising business of CCTV Air TV Channel. According to the terms of the cooperation arrangement with CCTV
Mobile Media, during the cooperation period from November 29, 2010 to November 28, 2025, CCTV Mobile Media shall obtain and, from time to time, be
responsible for obtaining any approval, license and consent regarding the regulation of broadcasting and television from relevant authorities. We believe that
CCTV Mobile Media has obtained the necessary approvals, licenses and consents. However, there is no assurance that CCTV Mobile Media will be able to
maintain the requisite approval or we will be able to renew the contract with CCTV Mobile Media when it expires. If the requisite approval is not obtained,
we will be required to eliminate non-advertising content from the programs displayed on our digital TV screens and advertisers may find our network less
attractive and be unwilling to purchase advertising time slots and locations on our network, which may in turn cause our revenues to decline and our business
and prospects to deteriorate.
10
Because we rely on third-party advertising agencies to help obtain advertisers, if we fail to maintain favorable relation with key third-party agencies or
attract additional agencies on favorable terms, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We engage third-party advertising agencies to help obtain advertisers from time to time. We do not have long-term or exclusive agreements with these
advertising agencies, including our key third-party advertising agencies, and cannot assure you that we will continue to maintain favorable relations with
them. Furthermore, the fees we pay to these third-party advertising agencies constitute a significant portion of our cost of revenues. If we fail to retain key
third-party advertising agencies or attract additional advertising agencies, we may not be able to retain existing advertisers or attract new advertisers or
advertising agencies. If we fail to maintain favorable relations with these advertising agencies, the fees we pay them may significantly increase. If any of the
above happens, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
A limited number of advertisers historically accounted for a significant portion of our revenues and this dependence may reoccur in the future, which
would make us more vulnerable to the loss of major advertisers or delays in payments from these advertisers.
A limited number of advertisers historically accounted for a significant portion of our revenues. Our top five advertisers collectively accounted for
approximately 21.7%, 21.3% and 20.6% of our total revenues in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Our largest advertisers
have changed from year to year primarily because of our limited operating history and rapid growth, broadened advertiser base and increased sales. However,
given our limited operating history and the rapid growth of our industry, we cannot assure you that we will not be dependent on a small number of advertisers
in the future.
If we fail to sell our services to one or more of our major advertisers in any particular period, or if a major advertiser purchases fewer of our services, fails to
purchase additional advertising time on our network, or cancels some or all of its purchase orders with us, our revenues could decline and our operating results
could be adversely affected. The dependence on a small number of advertisers could leave us more vulnerable to payment delays from these advertisers. We
are required under some of our concession rights contracts to make prepayments and although we do receive some prepayments from advertisers, there is
typically a lag between the time of our prepayment of concession fees and the time that we receive payments from our advertisers. As our business expands
and revenues grow, we have experienced and may continue to experience an increase in our accounts receivable. If any of our major advertisers are
significantly delinquent with its payments, our liquidity and financial conditions may be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unable to adapt to changing advertising trends and the technology needs of advertisers and consumers, we will not be able to compete effectively
and we will be unable to increase or maintain our revenues, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The market for air travel advertising requires us to continuously identify new advertising trends and the technological needs of both advertisers and
consumers, which may require us to develop new formats, features and enhancements for our advertising network. We currently play advertisements on
digital frames through wireless networks, on digital TV screens in our network airports through closed-circuit television systems and on digital TV screens on
our network airplanes mostly through video tapes. We may be required to incur development and acquisition costs to keep pace with new technology needs,
but we may not have the financial resources necessary to fund and implement future technological innovations or to replace obsolete technology. We may also
fail to respond to changing technology needs altogether.
We must be able to quickly and cost-effectively expand into additional advertising media and platforms beyond digital frames and digital TV screens if
advertisers find these additional media and platforms to be more attractive and cost-effective. In addition, as the advertising industry is highly competitive and
fragmented with many advertising agencies exiting and emerging, we must closely monitor the trends in the advertising agency community. We must
maintain strong relationships with leading advertising agencies to ensure that we are reaching the leading advertisers and are responsive to the needs of both
the advertising agencies and the advertisers.
If we fail to define, develop and introduce new formats, features and technologies on a timely and cost-effective basis, advertising demand for our advertising
network may decrease and we may not be able to compete effectively or attract advertisers, which may materially and adversely affect our business and
results of operations.
11
We face significant competition in the PRC advertising industry, and if we do not compete successfully against new and existing competitors, we may lose
our market share, and our profits may be reduced.
We face significant competition in the PRC advertising industry. We compete for advertisers primarily on the basis of network size and coverage, location,
price, program quality, the range of services offered and brand recognition. We compete for advertising dollars spent in the air travel advertising industry. We
also compete for overall advertising spending with other alternative advertising media, such as Internet, street facilities, billboard and public transport
advertising, and with traditional advertising media such as newspapers, television, magazines and radio. While we enjoy a large share of the market of the
digital frames and digital TV screens located in airports and on airplanes, we compete and will continue to compete with other media advertising platforms for
which we do not have exclusivity, including billboards and light boxes. We may also face competition from new entrants into air travel advertising in the
future.
Significant competition could reduce our operating margins and profitability and lead to a loss of market share. Some of our existing and potential competitors
may have competitive advantages such as significantly greater brand recognition, a longer history in the out-of-home advertising industry and financial,
marketing or other resources, and may be able to mimic and adopt our business model. In addition, several of our competitors have significantly larger
advertising networks than we do, which gives them an ability to reach a larger number of overall potential consumers and which may make them less
susceptible than we are to downturns in particular advertising sectors, such as air travel. Moreover, significant competition will provide advertisers with a
wider range of media and advertising service alternatives, which could lead to lower prices and decreased revenues, gross margins and profits focus. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully compete against new or existing competitors, and failure to compete may reduce for existing market
share and profits.
Our results of operations are subject to fluctuations in the demand for air travel. A decrease in the demand for air travel may make it difficult for us to
sell our advertising time slots and locations.
Our results of operations are directly linked to the demand for air travel, which fluctuates greatly from period to period, and is subject to seasonality due to
holiday travel and weather conditions as well as many other factors, including the following:
• Downturns in the economy. Business travel is one of the primary drivers of the air travel industry and it tends to increase in times of economic growth
and decrease in times of economic slowdown. A decrease in air passengers in China could lead to lower advertiser spending on our air travel
advertising network.
• Terrorist attacks or fear of such attacks. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the U.S. involving commercial aircraft severely and adversely
affected the air travel industry throughout the world. Additional terrorist attacks or fear of such attacks, even if not made directly on the air travel
industry, may negatively affect the air travel industry and reduce the demand for air travel.
• Additional security measures regarding air travel. Terrorist attacks have led to significantly increased security costs and associated passenger
inconvenience. Since September 11, 2001, relevant authorities in the U.S., China and other countries have implemented numerous security measures
that affect airport and airline operations and costs. These increasingly stringent security measures have led to higher costs for airports and airlines and
may cause some air travelers to consider other travel options, which may in turn lead to higher concession fees and reduced advertising demand for us.
• Plane crashes or other accidents. An aircraft crash or other accident could create a public perception that air travel is not safe or reliable, which could
result in air travelers being reluctant to fly. Significant aircraft delays due to capacity constraints, weather conditions or mechanical problems could
also reduce demand for air travel, especially for shorter domestic flights.
If the demand for air travel decreases for any of these or other reasons, advertisers may be reluctant to advertise on our network and we may be unable to sell
our advertising time slots or locations or charge premium prices.
If we fail to manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities, execute our expansion strategies or meet the
demands of our advertisers.
We have experienced a period of rapid growth and expansion that has placed, and continues to place, significant strain on our management personnel, systems
and resources. We must continue to expand our operations to meet the demands of advertisers for broader and more diverse network coverage. To
accommodate our growth, we anticipate that we will need to implement a variety of new and upgraded operational and financial systems, procedures and
controls, including the improvement of our accounting and other internal management systems, all of which require substantial management efforts.
12
We will also need to continue to expand, train, manage and motivate our workforce as well as manage our relationships with airports, airlines, gas stations and
other locations where we have concession rights to displays and third-party non-advertising content providers. We must add sales and marketing offices and
personnel to service relationships with new airports, gas stations and other locations that we aim to add as part of our network. As we add new digital frames,
digital TV screens and other media platforms, we will incur greater maintenance costs to maintain our equipment.
All of these endeavors will require substantial managerial efforts and skill, and incur additional expenditures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
manage our growth effectively, and we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities, execute our expansion strategies or meet the demands of
our advertisers.
Past and future acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our business.
We have acquired and plan to continue to acquire businesses, technologies, services or products which are complementary to our core air travel advertising
network business. Past and future acquisitions may expose us to potential risks, including risks associated with:
the integration of new operations, services and personnel;
•
• unforeseen or hidden liabilities;
•
•
the diversion of resources from our existing business and technology; or
failure to achieve the intended objectives of our acquisitions.
Any of these potential risks could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to manage our business, our revenues and net income.
We may need to raise additional debt or sell additional equity securities to make future acquisitions. The raising of additional debt funding by us, if required,
would increase debt service obligations and may lead to additional operating and financing covenants, or liens on our assets, that would restrict our
operations. The sale of additional equity securities could cause additional dilution to our shareholders.
Our acquisition strategy also depends on our ability to obtain necessary government approvals. See "– Risks Related to Doing Business in China – The M&A
Rule sets forth complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors which could make it more difficult to pursue growth through acquisitions."
We do not expect to sustain our recent rates of growth in revenue or the numbers of airports or digital frames in our network, and the number of our
digital TV screens in airports may decline in the future.
We have experienced significant growth in revenues in recent years. Our net revenues and the number of our network airports and the number of digital
frames in these airports increased from 2007 to 2010. We cannot assure you that we can continue to achieve similar rates of growth in revenues or the number
of airports or digital frames in our network in the future. In addition, the number of our digital TV screens in airports increased from 2007 to 2008 but
experienced a decline in from 2009 to 2010. We cannot assure you that there will not be declines in the number of our digital TV screens in airports in the
future.
13
Our quarterly and annual operating results are difficult to predict and have fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate significantly from period to period.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are difficult to predict and have fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate significantly from period to period based
on the seasonality of air travel, consumer spending and corresponding advertising trends in China. Air travel and advertising spending in China generally tend
to increase during major national holidays in October and tend to decrease during the first quarter of each year. Air travel and advertising spending in China is
also affected by certain special events and related government measures. As a result, you may not be able to rely on period-to-period comparisons of our
operating results as an indication of our future performance. Other factors that may cause our operating results to fluctuate include a deterioration of economic
conditions in China and potential changes to the regulation of the advertising industry in China. If our revenues for a particular quarter are lower than we
expect, we may be unable to reduce our operating costs and expenses for that quarter by a corresponding amount, and it would harm our operating results for
that quarter relative to our operating results for other quarters.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior executives and other key employees, and our business may be severely
disrupted if we lose their services.
Our future success heavily depends upon the continued services of our senior executives and other key employees. We rely on their industry expertise, their
experience in business operations and sales and marketing, and their working relationships with our advertisers, airports and airlines, and relevant government
authorities.
If one or more of our senior executives and other key employees were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we might not be able to
replace them easily or at all. If any of our senior executives and other key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose
advertisers, suppliers, key professionals and staff members. Each of our executive officers and other key employees has entered into an employment
agreement with us which contains non-competition provisions. However, if any dispute arises between any of our executive officers and other key employees
and us, we cannot assure you the extent to which any of these agreements could be enforced in China, where most of these executive officers and other key
employees reside, in light of the uncertainties with China's legal system. See "—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— Uncertainties with respect to the
PRC legal system could limit the legal protections available to you and us."
Failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of our
ADSs.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities law. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company's internal control over financial
reporting in its annual report, which must also contain management's assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial
reporting. In addition, for non-smaller reporting companies and non accelerated filers, an independent registered public accounting firm must attest to the
effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting.
Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010. Our independent registered public
accounting firm has issued an audit report, which is included elsewhere in this annual report, which has concluded that we maintained, in all material aspects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting
in the future, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over
financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could negatively affect the reliability of our financial information and reduce investors' confidence in
our reported financial information, which in turn could result in lawsuits being filed against us by our shareholders, otherwise harm our reputation or
negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Furthermore, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur considerable costs and use
significant management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
We may need additional capital which, if obtained, could result in dilution or significant debt service obligations. We may not be able to obtain additional
capital on commercially reasonable terms, which could adversely affect our liquidity and financial position.
We may require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments. If our current resources are insufficient to satisfy
our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of convertible debt securities or additional
equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and
could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations and liquidity.
14
In addition, our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
investors' perception of, and demand for, securities of alternative advertising media companies;
•
• conditions of the market;
• our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; and
• PRC governmental regulation of foreign investment in advertising services companies in China.
We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure to raise additional funds on favorable
terms could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition.
Compliance with PRC advertising laws and regulations may be difficult and could be costly, and failure to comply could subject us to government
sanctions.
As an air travel advertising service provider, we are obligated under PRC laws and regulations to monitor the advertising content shown on our network for
compliance with applicable law. Violation of these laws or regulations may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising fees, orders to cease
dissemination of the offending advertisements and orders to publish advertisements correcting the misleading information. In case of serious violations, the
PRC authorities may revoke our license for advertising business operations. In general, the advertisements shown on our network have previously been
broadcast over public television networks and have been subjected to internal review and verification by such networks, but we are still required to
independently review and verify these advertisements for content compliance before displaying them. In addition, if a special government review is required
for certain product advertisements before they are shown to the public, we are required to confirm that such review has been performed and approval
obtained. For advertising content related to certain types of products and services, such as food products, alcohol, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medical
procedures, we are required to confirm that the advertisers have obtained requisite government approvals, including review of operating qualifications, proof
of quality inspection of the advertised products, government pre-approval of the contents of the advertisement and filing with local authorities.
We endeavor to comply with such requirements through means such as requesting relevant documents from the advertisers. However, we cannot assure you
that each advertisement that an advertiser provides to us and which we include in our network programs is in full compliance with all relevant PRC
advertising laws and regulations or that such supporting documentation and government approvals provided to us are complete. Although we employ qualified
advertising inspectors who are trained to review advertising content for compliance with relevant PRC laws and regulations, the content standards in the PRC
are less certain and less clear than those in more developed countries such as the U.S. and we cannot assure you that we will always be able to properly review
all advertising content to comply with the PRC standards imposed on us with certainty.
We may be subject to, and may expend significant resources in defending against government actions and civil suits based on the content we provide
through our advertising network.
Because of the nature and content of the information displayed on our network, civil claims may be filed against us for fraud, defamation, subversion,
negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or other violations. Offensive and objectionable content and legal standards for defamation and fraud in
China are less defined than in other more developed countries and we may not be able to properly screen out unlawful content. If consumers find the content
displayed on our network to be offensive, airports, airlines or gas stations where we have our media may seek to hold us responsible for any consumer claims
or may terminate their relationships with us.
In addition, if the security of our content management system is breached and unauthorized images, text or audio sounds are displayed on our network,
viewers or the PRC government may find these images, text or audio sounds to be offensive, which may subject us to civil liability or government censure
despite our efforts to ensure the security of our content management system. Any such event may also damage our reputation. If our advertising viewers do
not believe our content is reliable or accurate, our business model may become less appealing to viewers in China and our advertisers may be less willing to
place advertisements on our network.
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We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely
against us, may materially and adversely affect our business.
Our commercial success depends to a large extent on our ability to operate without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. We cannot assure
you that our displays or other aspects of our business do not or will not infringe patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties.
We may become subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business.
If we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property, incur licensing fees or be
forced to develop alternatives. In addition, we may incur substantial expenses and diversion of management time in defending against these third-party
infringement claims, regardless of their merit. Successful infringement or licensing claims against us may result in substantial monetary liabilities, which may
materially and adversely affect our business.
We have limited insurance coverage in China, and any business disruption or litigation we experience may result in our incurring substantial costs and
the diversion of resources.
Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products and do not, to our knowledge, offer business liability insurance. While business
disruption insurance is available to a limited extent in China, we have determined that the risks of disruption, cost of such insurance and the difficulties
associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. As a result, except for our
liability insurance for directors and officers, we do not have any business liability, disruption or litigation insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any
business disruption or litigation may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources.
If one or more of our PRC subsidiaries fails to maintain or obtain qualifications to receive PRC preferential tax treatments, we will be required to pay
more taxes, which may have a material adverse effect on our result of operations.
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, imposes an uniform income tax rate of 25% on most
domestic enterprises and foreign investment enterprises. Under this law, entities that qualify as "high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by
the state" are entitled to the preferential income tax rate of 15%. A company's status as a "high and new technology enterprise strongly supported by the state"
is valid for three years, after which the company must re-apply for such qualification in order to continue to enjoy the preferential income tax rate. In addition,
according to relevant guidelines, "new software enterprises" can enjoy an income tax exemption for two years beginning with their first profitable year and a
50% tax reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years.
AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or AM Technology, was recognized as a "high and new technology enterprise supported by the state," or HNTE,
under the new rules and therefore, it is entitled to enjoy a preferential Enterprise Income Tax, or EIT, rate of 15%. It was also eligible for a 50% tax reduction
from 2009 to 2011 under the applicable tax laws and regulations that were in effect before January 1, 2008, the date the EIT Law came into effect. As a result,
AM Technology was subject to an EIT rate of 7.5% in 2010 and is expected to continue to be subject to the same rate in 2011.
On April 21, 2010, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular "In respect of Further Clarifying the Implementation Scope of Preferential EIT
Rate during Transition Periods," which gives further guidance on the appropriate tax rate that an entity enjoys as a HNTE in addition to guidance on other
preferential treatment. Uncertainties as to the interpretation of the Circular exist. While AM Technology is expected to be subject to an EIT rate of 7.5% in
2011, from 2012 onward, AM Technology may be subject to a preferential EIT at the rate of 15% as long as it maintains its status as a HNTE.
Xi'an AirMedia Chuangyi Technology Co., Ltd., or Xi'an AM, qualified as a "new software enterprise" in August 2008 by the Technology Information
Bureau of Shaanxi Province and has received a written approval from Xi'an local tax bureau that it is granted a two-year exemption from EIT commencing on
its first profitable year and a 50% reduction of the 25% EIT rate for the succeeding three years. As Xi'an AM first made profit in 2009, it was exempted from
EIT in 2009 and 2010. Shenzhen AirMedia Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shenzhen AM, was subject to a 15% preferential tax EIT rate in 2007 as it is
located in Shenzhen and then was subject to EIT on its taxable income from 2008 at the gradual rate as set out in Circular 39. Since Shenzhen AM is also
qualified as a "manufacturing foreign-invested enterprise" incorporated prior to the effectiveness of the EIT Law, it is further entitled to a two-year exemption
from EIT for years 2008 and 2009 and preferential rates of 11%, 12% and 12.5% for the year 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
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Hainan Jinhui Guangming Media Advertising Co., Ltd., or Hainan Jinhui, is subject to EIT on the taxable income at the gradual rate, which was 18% in 2008,
20% in 2009 and 22% in 2010, and will be 24% in 2011 and 25% in 2012 at the gradual rate as set out in Circular 39.
We cannot assure you that our PRC subsidiaries will be able to maintain or obtain qualifications to receive the above preferential tax treatments; we will be
required to pay more taxes if they fail to become or continue to be eligible to receive PRC tax benefits, which may materially and adversely affect our
business and results of operations.
Dividends payable to us by our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries may be subject to PRC withholding taxes, or we may be subject to PRC taxation on
our worldwide income, and dividends distributed to our investors may be subject to more PRC withholding taxes under new PRC tax law.
Under the EIT Law and related regulations, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign investors who are non-resident
enterprises are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a
different withholding arrangement. The British Virgin Islands, or BVI, where Broad Cosmos Enterprises Ltd., or Broad Cosmos, our wholly owned subsidiary
and the 100% shareholder of Shenzhen AM, is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. Air Media (China) Limited, the 100% shareholder of
AM Technology and Xi'an AM, is incorporated in Hong Kong. According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on
Avoiding Double Taxation or Evasion of Taxation on Income between China and Hong Kong and the relevant rules, dividends paid by a foreign-invested
enterprise in China to its direct holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 5% (if the foreign investor owns directly at least
25% of the shares of the foreign-invested enterprise). However, under recently implemented PRC regulations, now our Hong Kong subsidiary must obtain
approval from the competent local branch of the State Administration of Taxation in accordance with the double-taxation agreement among the PRC and
Hong Kong in order to enjoy the 5% preferential withholding tax rate. In February 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a new notice, or Notice
No. 81. According to Notice No. 81, in order to enjoy the preferential treatment on dividend withholding tax rates, an enterprise must be the "beneficial
owner" of the relevant dividend income, and no enterprise is entitled to enjoy preferential treatment pursuant to any tax treaties if such enterprise qualifies for
such preferential tax rates through any transaction or arrangement, the major purpose of which is to obtain such preferential tax treatment. The tax authority in
charge has the right to make adjustments to the applicable tax rates, if it determines that any taxpayer has enjoyed preferential treatment under tax treaties as a
result of such transaction or arrangement. In October 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued another notice on this matter, or Notice No. 601, to
provide guidance on the criteria to determine whether an enterprise qualifies as the "beneficial owner" of the PRC sourced income for the purpose of obtaining
preferential treatment under tax treaties. Pursuant to Notice No. 601, the PRC tax authorities will review and grant tax preferential treatment on a case-by-case
basis and adopt the "substance over form" principle in the review. Notice 601 specifies that a beneficial owner should generally carry out substantial business
activities and own and have control over the income, the assets or other rights generating the income. Therefore, an agent or a conduit company will not be
regarded as a beneficial owner of such income. Since the two notices were issued, it has remained unclear how the PRC tax authorities will implement them in
practice and to what extent they will affect the dividend withholding tax rates for dividends distributed by our subsidiaries in China to our Hong Kong
subsidiary. If the relevant tax authority determines that our Hong Kong subsidiary is a conduit company and does not qualify as the "beneficial owner" of the
dividend income it receives from our PRC subsidiaries, the higher 10% withholding tax rate may apply to such dividends.
Under the EIT Law and EIT Implementation Rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with "de facto management bodies" within the PRC is
considered a PRC resident enterprise and is subject to the EIT at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The EIT Implementation Rules define the term "de
facto management bodies" as "establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations,
personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise." The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-
Controlled Overseas Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or SAT Circular 82, on April
22, 2009. SAT Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a Chinese-controlled offshore
incorporated enterprise is located inside China, stating that only a company meeting all the criteria would be deemed having its de factor management body
inside China. One of the criteria is that a company's major assets, accounting books and minutes and files of its board and shareholders' meetings are located
or kept in the PRC. Although SAT Circular 82 applies only to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not to those that, like our company, are
controlled by PRC individuals, there are currently no further detailed rules or precedents applicable to us governing the procedures and specific criteria for
determining "de facto management body" for our type of companies.
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After consulting with our PRC counsel, we do not believe our holding company should be deemed a PRC resident enterprise as, among other things, certain of
our company's key assets and records, including register of members, board resolutions and shareholder resolutions, are located and maintained outside of the
PRC, and we also hold our board and board committee meetings outside of the PRC from time to time. However, we have been advised by our PRC counsel,
Commerce & Finance Law Offices, that because there remains uncertainty regarding the interpretation and implementation of the EIT Law and EIT
Implementation Rules, it is uncertain whether we will be deemed a PRC resident enterprise. If the PRC authorities were to subsequently determine, or any
further regulations provide, that we should be treated as a PRC resident enterprise, we would be subject to a 25% enterprise income tax on our global income.
To the extent our holding company earns income outside of China, a 25% enterprise income tax on our global income may increase our tax burden and could
adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
If we are regarded as a PRC resident enterprise, dividends distributed from our PRC subsidiaries to us could be exempt from the PRC dividend withholding
tax, since such income is exempt under the EIT Law and the EIT Implementation Rules to the extent such dividends are deemed "dividends among qualified
PRC resident enterprises." If we are considered a resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or
ordinary shares may be considered income derived from sources within the PRC and subject to PRC withholding tax of 10%. In addition, non-PRC
shareholders may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced
from within the PRC. It is unclear whether our non-PRC shareholders would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their tax residence and
the PRC in the event that we are considered as a PRC resident enterprise.
With the 10% PRC dividend withholding tax, we will incur an incremental PRC tax cost when we distribute our PRC profits to our ultimate shareholders if
we are deemed not to be a PRC resident enterprise. On the other hand, if we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and receive
income other than dividends, our profitability and cash flow would be adversely impacted due to our worldwide income being taxed in China under the EIT
Law.
Moreover, under the EIT Law, foreign ADS holders may be subject to a 10% withholding tax upon dividends payable by us and gains realized on the sale or
other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise and such income is deemed to be sourced from within the PRC.
Although we are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, it is unclear whether the dividends payable by us or the gains our foreign ADS holders may realize on
disposition will be regarded as income from sources within the PRC if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax on our dividend payments
will reduce the returns of your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE
If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our China business do not comply with PRC governmental
restrictions on foreign investment in the advertising industry and in the operating of non-advertising content, our business could be materially and
adversely affected.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted through contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities, or VIEs, in China, AM
Advertising, Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd., or Shengshi Lianhe, AirMedia UC, and Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd., or
AM Yuehang. Although PRC regulations currently permit 100% foreign ownership of companies that provide advertising services, any foreign entities that
invest in the advertising services industry are required to have at least three years of direct operations in the advertising industry outside of China. In addition,
PRC regulations currently prohibit foreign investment in the production and operation of any non-advertising content. Although our wholly owned Hong
Kong subsidiary Air Media (China) Limited, the 100% shareholder of AM Technology and Xi'an Am, has been operating advertising business in Hong Kong
since 2008, its operation experience is currently less than three years. As a result, we will not qualify under PRC regulations until the operating of Air Media
(China) Limited reaches three years or until we acquire a company that has directly operated an advertising business outside of China for the required period
of time. Accordingly, our three subsidiaries, AM Technology, Shenzhen AM, and Xi'an AM, are currently ineligible to apply for the required licenses for
providing advertising services in China.
Our advertising business is primarily provided through our contractual arrangements with our four consolidated variable interest entities in China. These
entities directly operate our advertising network, enter into concession rights contracts and sell advertising time slots and locations to our advertisers. We have
contractual arrangements with these variable interest entities pursuant to which we, through AM Technology, provide technical support and consulting
services to these entities. We also have agreements with our variable interest entities and each of their shareholders that provide us with the substantial ability
to control these entities. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see Item 4, "Information on the Company—Organizational Structure" and Item 7,
"Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Contractual Arrangements."
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We believe that the VIE arrangements are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. The shareholders of the VIEs are also shareholders of the
Company and therefore have no current interest in seeking to act contrary to the contractual arrangements. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system
could limit the Company's ability to enforce these contractual arrangements and if the shareholders of the VIEs were to reduce their interest in the Company,
their interests may diverge from that of the Company and that may potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary to the contractual terms,
for example by influencing the VIEs not to pay the service fees when required to do so.
The Company's ability to control the VIEs also depends on the power of attorney AM Technology has to vote on all matters requiring shareholder approval in
the VIEs. As noted above, we believe this power of attorney is legally enforceable but may not be as effective as direct equity ownership.
In addition, if the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing PRC laws and regulations, the PRC government
could:
revoking the business and operating licenses of the Company's PRC subsidiaries and affiliates;
•
• discontinuing or restricting the Company's PRC subsidiaries' and affiliates' operations;
•
•
imposing conditions or requirements with which the Company or its PRC subsidiaries and affiliates may not be able to comply; or
requiring the Company or its PRC subsidiaries and affiliates to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;
While the Company does not believe that any penalties imposed or actions taken by the PRC government would result in the liquidation of the Company, AM
Technology, or the VIEs, the imposition of any of these penalties may result in a material and adverse effect on the Company's ability to conduct the
Company's business. In addition, if the imposition of any of these penalties causes the Company to lose the rights to direct the activities of the VIEs and its
subsidiaries or the right to receive their economic benefits, the Company would no longer be able to consolidate the VIEs.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities and their shareholders for a substantial portion of our China
operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
We rely on contractual arrangements with AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe, AirMedia UC and AM Yuehang to operate our advertising business. For a
description of these arrangements, see Item 4, "Information on the Company—Organizational Structure" and Item 7, "Major Shareholders and Related Party
Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Contractual Arrangements." These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in
providing control over our variable interest entities. Under these contractual arrangements, if our variable interest entities or their shareholders fail to perform
their respective obligations, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements and rely on legal remedies under PRC law,
including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective.
Many of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for disputes to be resolved through arbitration or litigation in the PRC. The
legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could
limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements, which may make it difficult to exert effective control over our variable interest entities, and our
ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
Contractual arrangements we have entered into among our subsidiaries and variable interest entities may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities
and a finding that we owe additional taxes could substantially increase our taxes owed and reduce our net income and the value of your investment.
Under PRC law, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be audited or challenged by the PRC tax authorities. If any transactions we have
entered into among AM Technology and our variable interest entities are found not to be on an arm's length basis, or to result in an unreasonable reduction in
tax under PRC law, the PRC tax authorities have the authority to disallow our tax savings, adjust the profits and losses of our respective PRC entities and
assess late payment interest and penalties. A finding by the PRC tax authorities that we are ineligible for the tax savings we achieved would substantially
increase our taxes owed and reduce our net income and the value of your investment.
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We may rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing
requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on
our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company, and we may rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM
for our cash requirements, including the funds necessary to service any debt we may incur. If AM Technology, Shenzhen AM or Xi'an AM incurs debt on its
own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict the ability of these entities to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. In
addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements AM Technology currently has in place with
our variable interest entities in a manner that would materially and adversely affect AM Technology's ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us.
Furthermore, relevant PRC laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM only out of their
accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC laws and regulations, AM Technology,
Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM are also required to set aside at least 10% of after-tax income based on PRC accounting standards each year to their general
reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their respective registered capital.
The registered capital of AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM is $42.0 million, RMB700 million (approximately $105.3 million) and $50.0 million,
respectively. AM Technology and Xi'an AM have made the applicable annual appropriations required under PRC law. Shenzhen AM is not currently required
to fund any statutory surplus reserve because it still has accumulated losses. Any direct or indirect limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to
distribute dividends and other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to make investments or acquisitions at the holding company
level, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
Although none of Shenzhen AM, Xi'an AM or AM Technology has any present plan to pay any cash dividends to us in the foreseeable future, any limitation
on the ability of AM Technology, Shenzhen AM or Xi'an AM to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our
ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA
Adverse changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of
China, which could reduce the demand for our services and have a material adverse effect on our competitive position.
Substantially all of our assets are located in China and substantially all of our revenues are derived from our operations in China. Accordingly, our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by China's economic, political and legal developments. The Chinese
economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement and the level and growth
rate of economic development.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past decades, growth has been uneven both geographically and among various sectors
of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these
measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. We cannot predict the future direction of political or economic
reforms or the effects such measures may have on our business, financial position or results of operations. Any adverse change in the political or economic
conditions in China, including changes in the policies of the PRC government or in laws and regulations in China, could have a material adverse effect on the
overall economic growth of China and in the air travel advertising industry. Such developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, lead to a
reduction in demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit the legal protections available to us or result in substantial costs and the diversion of
resources and management attention.
We conduct our business primarily through AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM, which are subject to PRC laws and regulations applicable to
foreign investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly-foreign owned companies. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior
court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. PRC legislation and regulations afford significant protections to various forms
of foreign investments in China, but since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the
interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and the enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties,
which may limit the legal protections available to us. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and the diversion of
resources and management attention.
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Fluctuations in the value of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China's political and economic
conditions and China's foreign exchange policies. The PRC government has permitted the Renminbi to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a
basket of certain foreign currencies. Since reaching a high against the U.S. dollar in July 2008, the Renminbi has traded within a narrow band against the U.S.
dollar.
The reporting and functional currency of our Cayman Islands parent company is the U.S. dollar. However, substantially all of the revenues and expenses of
our consolidated operating subsidiaries and affiliate entities are denominated in Renminbi. Substantially all of our sales contracts are denominated in
Renminbi and substantially all of our costs and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for
our operations, depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion.
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of dividend distribution or for other business purposes, depreciation of the
U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the
relative value of any dividend we issue which will be exchanged into U.S. dollars and earnings from and the value of any U.S. dollar-denominated
investments we make in the future.
Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging
transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the
availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited so that we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our currency
exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency. As a result,
fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenues or financing effectively.
Substantially all of our revenues and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. We may need to convert a portion of our revenues into other currencies to meet
our foreign currency obligations, including, among others, payments of dividends declared, if any, in respect of our ordinary shares or ADSs. Under China's
existing foreign exchange regulations, AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM are able to pay dividends in foreign currencies, without prior approval
from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, we cannot assure you that
the PRC government will not take measures in the future to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions.
Foreign exchange transactions by our subsidiaries and variable interest entities in China under capital accounts continue to be subject to significant foreign
exchange controls and require the approval of, or registration with, PRC governmental authorities. In particular, if we or other foreign lenders make foreign
currency loans to our subsidiaries or variable interest entities in China, these loans must be registered with the SAFE, and if we finance them by means of
additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by or registered with certain government authorities including the SAFE, the
Ministry of Commerce or their local counterparts. These limitations could affect the ability of our subsidiaries and variable interest entities in China to
exchange the foreign currencies obtained through debt or equity financing, and could affect our business and financial condition.
21
PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents and registration requirements for employee stock
ownership plans or share option plans may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or the plan participants to personal liability, limit our ability to
inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries' ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise
adversely affect us.
Regulations promulgated by the SAFE require PRC residents and PRC corporate entities to register with local branches of the SAFE in connection with their
direct or indirect offshore investment activities. These regulations apply to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore
acquisitions that we make in the future.
Under the SAFE regulations, PRC residents who make, or have previously made, direct or indirect investments in offshore companies, will be required to
register those investments. In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an offshore company is required to file or update the
registration with the local branch of the SAFE, with respect to that offshore company, any material change involving its round-trip investment and capital
variation. The PRC subsidiaries of that offshore company are required to urge the PRC resident shareholders to make such updates. If any PRC shareholder
fails to make the required SAFE registration or file or update the registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that offshore parent company may be prohibited from
distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation, to their offshore parent company, and the offshore parent
company may also be prohibited from injecting additional capital into their PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration
requirements described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions, such as restrictions on
distributing dividend to our offshore entities or monetary penalties against us. We cannot assure you that all of our shareholders who are PRC residents will
make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by these SAFE regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to
comply with these SAFE registration procedures may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our PRC
subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends to or obtain foreign-exchange-dominated loans from our company.
As it is uncertain how the SAFE regulations will be interpreted or implemented, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or
future strategy. For example, we may be subject to more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as
remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In
addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to
obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the SAFE regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement
our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Certain measures promulgated by the People's Bank of China on foreign exchange for individuals set forth the respective requirements for foreign exchange
transactions by PRC individuals under either the current account or the capital account. Implementing rules for these measures were promulgated by the
SAFE which, among other things, specified approval requirements for certain capital account transactions such as a PRC citizen's participation in the
employee stock ownership plans or stock option plans of an overseas publicly-listed company. The SAFE also promulgated rules under which PRC citizens
who are granted stock options by an overseas publicly-listed company are required, through a PRC agent or PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly-listed
company, to register with the SAFE and complete certain other procedures. We and our PRC employees who have been granted stock options are subject to
these rules. If we or our PRC optionees fail to comply with these regulations, we or our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and legal sanctions. See "Item
4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—SAFE Regulations on Offshore Investment by PRC Residents and Employee Stock
Options."
The M&A Rule sets forth complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors which could make it more difficult to pursue growth
through acquisitions.
The PRC Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule, sets forth complex procedures and
requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. Part of our growth strategy includes
acquiring complementary businesses or assets. Complying with the requirements of the M&A Rule to complete such transactions could be time-consuming,
and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of Commerce, may delay or inhibit the completion of such transactions,
which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. In addition, if any of our acquisitions were subject to the M&A Rule and
were found not to be in compliance with the requirements of the M&A Rule in the future, relevant PRC regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties
on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business and
results of operations.
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Changes in laws and regulations governing air travel advertising or otherwise affecting our business in China may result in substantial costs and
diversion of resources and may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
There are no existing PRC laws or regulations that specifically define or regulate air travel advertising. Our subsidiaries Shenzhen AM, AM Technology and
Xi'an AM all have current business licenses, as such licenses are required for all PRC incorporated entities to conduct active business operations in the PRC.
The scopes of the business licenses for these three entities include the development of electronic, computer and media-related technologies and products and
do not include advertising, due to certain restrictions on foreign ownership of advertising enterprises under PRC law. It has been reported that the relevant
PRC government authorities are currently considering adopting new regulations governing air travel advertising. We cannot predict the timing and effects of
such new regulations. Changes in laws and regulations governing the content of air travel advertising and our business licenses or otherwise affecting our
business in China may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and may materially and adversely affect our business prospects and results of
operations.
Enhanced scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the
future.
In connection with the EIT Law, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued, on April 30, 2009, the Notice on Issues
Concerning Process of Enterprise Income Tax in Enterprise Restructuring Business, or Circular 59. On December 10, 2009, the State Administration of
Taxation issued the Notice on Strengthening the Management on Enterprise Income Tax for Non-resident Enterprises Equity Transfer, or Circular 698. Both
Circular 59 and Circular 698 became effective retroactively on January 1, 2008.
By promulgating and implementing these circulars, the PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of equity interests
in a PRC resident enterprise by a non-resident enterprise. The PRC tax authorities have the discretion under Circular 59 and Circular 698 to make adjustments
to the taxable capital gains based on the difference between the fair value of the equity interests transferred and the cost of investment. If we are considered a
"non-resident enterprise" under the EIT Law and if the PRC tax authorities make adjustments under Circular 59 or Circular 698, our income tax costs
associated with such potential acquisitions will be increased.
The enforcement of the Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in China may adversely affect our business and our results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the National People's Congress of China enacted the Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The Labor Contract
Law established more restrictions and increased costs for employers to dismiss employees under certain circumstances, including specific provisions relating
to fixed-term employment contracts, non-fixed-term employment contracts, task-based employment, part-time employment, probation, consultation with the
labor union and employee representative's council, employment without a contract, dismissal of employees, compensation upon termination and for overtime
work, and collective bargaining. Under the Labor Contract Law, unless otherwise provided by law, an employer is obligated to sign a labor contract with a
non-fixed term with an employee, if the employer continues to hire the employee after the expiration of two consecutive fixed-term labor contracts, or if the
employee has worked for the employer for 10 consecutive years. Severance pay is required if a labor contract expires and is not renewed because of the
employer's refusal to renew or seeking to renew with less favorable terms. In addition, under the Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees, which
became effective on January 1, 2008, employees who have served more than one year for an employer are entitled to a paid vacation for five to 15 days,
depending on the employee's number of years of employment. Employees who waive such vacation at the request of employers are entitled to compensation
that equals to three times their regular daily salary for each waived vacation day. As a result of these new labor protection measures, our labor costs are
expected to increase, which may adversely affect our business and our results of operations. It is also possible that the PRC government may enact additional
labor-related legislations in the future, which would further increase our labor costs and affect our operations.
RISKS RELATED TO THE MARKET FOR OUR ADSs
The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be volatile.
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The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. During the year of 2010, the trading prices of our ADSs on the
NASDAQ Global Market ranged from $2.83 to $8.90 per ADS and the closing sale price on May 3, 2011 was $4.50 per ADS. The price of our ADSs may
fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors including, changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other advertising companies,
conditions in the air travel advertising industry and the sales or perceived potential sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs.
In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations unrelated to the operating performance of
particular companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.
Additional sales of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could also cause the market price of our ADSs to
decline.
You may not have the same voting rights as the holders of our ordinary shares and may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise your
right to vote.
Except as described in this annual report and in the deposit agreement, holders of our ADSs will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares
evidenced by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs will appoint the depositary or its nominee as their representative to exercise the voting
rights attaching to the shares represented by the ADSs. You may not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that
you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings and you may not receive cash dividends
if it is impractical to make them available to you.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in
the United States unless we register both the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights
available to you unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the Securities Act or exempt
from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to
endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective and we may not be able to establish a necessary exemption from registration under the
Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other
deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs
represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs.
For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions
may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property to you.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it
deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties.
In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or
at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any
provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we
are incorporated under Cayman Islands law, conduct substantially all of our operations in China and all of our directors and officers reside outside the
United States.
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our subsidiaries and variable interest entities. All
of our directors and officers reside outside the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it
may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States and bring an action against us or against these individuals in a U.S. court if you
believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the
Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. There is no statutory
recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will generally recognize and enforce
a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.
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Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the Companies Law
(2010 Revision) and common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against us and our directors, actions by minority
shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our
shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or
judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States and provides
significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in U.S.
federal courts.
As a result, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us, our management, our directors or our
major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could adversely affect the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and
ADSs.
We have included certain provisions in our memorandum and articles of association that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company
and deprive our shareholders of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to
obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions. The following provisions in our articles may have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change of control of our company:
• Our board of directors has the authority to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to
determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the designation of the series, the number of shares
of the series, the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, and the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.
• Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, our board of directors may issue additional ordinary shares or rights to acquire ordinary shares without
action by our shareholders to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our corporate actions are substantially controlled by our principal shareholders who could exert significant influence over important corporate matters,
which may reduce the price of our ADSs and deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your shares.
As of May 3, 2011, our principal shareholder, Herman Man Guo, beneficially owned approximately 30.73% of our outstanding ordinary shares. He could
exert substantial influence over matters such as electing directors and approving material mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions.
This concentration of ownership may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the dual effect of depriving our
shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and reducing the price of our ADSs.These actions may
be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. In addition, these persons could divert business opportunities from us to themselves or others.
We are a "foreign private issuer," and have disclosure obligations that are different than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies so you should not
expect to receive the same information about us at the same time as a U.S. domestic reporting company may provide.
We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to certain of the requirements imposed upon U.S. domestic issuers by the SEC. For
example, we are not required by the SEC or the federal securities laws to issue quarterly reports or proxy statements with the SEC. Through the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2010, we are allowed six months to file our annual report with the SEC and thereafter must file our annual report within four months of
our fiscal year end. We are not required to disclose certain detailed information regarding executive compensation that is required from U.S. domestic issuers.
Further, our directors and executive officers are not required to report equity holdings under Section 16 of the Securities Act. As a foreign private issuer, we
are also exempt from the requirements of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) which, generally, are meant to ensure that select groups of investors are not privy to
specific information about an issuer before other investors. We are, however, still subject to the anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules of the SEC, such as
Rule 10b-5. Since many of the disclosure obligations required of us as a foreign private issuer are different than those required by other U.S. domestic
reporting companies, our shareholders should not expect to receive information about us in the same amount and at the same time as information is received
from, or provided by, other U.S. domestic reporting companies. We are liable for violations of the rules and regulations of the SEC which do apply to us as a
foreign private issuer. Violations of these rules could affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders.
Depending upon the value of our assets based on the market value of our ordinary shares and ADSs and the nature of our assets and income over time, we
could be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based on the market price of our ADSs and
ordinary shares and the composition of our income and assets, we believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year
ended December 31, 2010. However, we believe that there is a significant risk that we will be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2011.
Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat the consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries as being owned by us for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, because we control their management decisions but also because we are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated
with these entities, and, as a result, we consolidate these entities' operating results in our consolidated financial statements. If it were determined, however,
that we are not the owner of the consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would likely be treated
as a PFIC for our taxable year ending on December 31, 2010 and any subsequent taxable year. Because the application of the PFIC rules is subject to
ambiguity in several respects and, in addition, we must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC (after the close of each taxable
year), we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011 or any future taxable year. In particular, we
believe that there is a significant risk that we will be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2011 unless the market price of our ADSs increases
and/or we invest a substantial amount of the cash and other passive assets we hold in assets that produce active income. A non-U.S. corporation will be
considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an
average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. The
value of our assets will be determined based on the market price of our ADSs, which is likely to fluctuate. In addition, the composition of our income and
assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we utilize the cash (or other passive assets or investments) we have on hand or raise in any offering.
If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in Item 10, "Additional Information—Taxation— United States
Federal Income Taxation") held our ADSs, or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to the U.S. Holder. For
example, if we are a PFIC, U.S. Holders will become subject to increased tax liabilities under U.S. tax laws and regulations with respect to any gain
recognized or the sale of our ADSs or ordinary shares and certain distributions, and will become subject to burdensome reporting requirements. Further, if we
were a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder held our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC for all
succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder held our ADSs or ordinary shares. See Item 10, "Additional Information—Taxation—U.S. Federal Income
Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company."
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
We are a Cayman Islands incorporated holding company that conducts operations through our subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entities and the
variable interest entities' subsidiaries in China. We commenced operations in August 2005 in China through Shengshi Lianhe, a consolidated variable interest
entity of our principal subsidiary, AM Technology. Later, we established additional PRC consolidated variable interest entities to conduct our operations in
China.
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Substantially all of our current operations are conducted through contractual arrangements with these entities.
On November 7, 2007, we listed our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "AMCN." We and certain of our then shareholders completed the
initial public offering of 17,250,000 ADSs, representing 34,500,000 of our ordinary shares, on November 13, 2007.
In 2008, one of our variable interest entities, AM Advertising, acquired an airport gate bridge advertising business through purchasing 80% equity interest in
Flying Dragon Media Advertising Co., Ltd., or Flying Dragon. Concurrently with the Flying Dragon acquisition, we also directly acquired all of the equity
interest in Excel Lead International Limited, or Excel Lead. Part of the consideration for the Excel Lead acquisition is a contingent consideration to be
determined based on the performance of Excel Lead through 2010, in an aggregate amount of up to US$27.3 million in cash and 1,530,950 of our ordinary
shares, or up to $39.7 million in cash only at the sellers' option.
In 2009 and 2010, we also added various additional media resources to our advertising network, including outdoors media in gas stations and urban locations.
During 2009, we directly acquired 100% equity interests in Dominant City Ltd. Concurrently with this acquisition, one of our variable interest entities, AM
Advertising, acquired 100% equity interest in Beijing Union of Friendship Advertising Media Co. Ltd., which operates media resources in a number of
airports including Guangzhou and Hangzhou airports. The total consideration for the acquisition of Dominant City Ltd. and Beijing Union of Friendship
Advertising Media Co., Ltd. was $7.8 million. In 2009, AM Advertising entered into an exclusive concession rights contract under which it will develop and
operate outdoor advertising platforms such as billboards at Sinopec gas stations. In January 2010, we acquired 100% of the equity interest in Easy Shop Ltd.
and concurrently, our variable interest entity, AM Advertising, acquired 90% of the equity interest in AM Outdoor on top of the 10% of AM Outdoor it
already owned prior to the transaction. The total consideration for both transactions was $13.9 million. As a result of these transactions, our variable interest
entity, AM Advertising, now holds 100% equity interest in AM Outdoor and operates unipole signs and other outdoor media across Beijing, Tianjin and the
highways between several cities in Northern China. In February 2010, our variable interest entity, AirMedia UC acquired 45% equity interest in Dongding,
which has exclusive rights to build and operate billboards that display both public service content and commercial advertising throughout Beijing in locations
such as shopping malls and parking lots. AirMedia UC held 30% equity interest in Dongding prior to the transaction and, as a result of these transactions, now
holds 75% equity interest in Dongding.
Our principal executive offices are located at 17/F, Sky Plaza, No. 46 Dongzhimenwai Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100027, People's Republic of
China. Our telephone number at this address is +86-10-8438-6868 and our fax number is +86-10-8460-8658. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is
PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
Business Overview
General
We are a leading operator of digital media network in China dedicated to air travel advertising. We believe we have the largest market share of digital frames
in airports, digital TV screens in airports and digital TV screens on airplanes in China. As of March 1, 2011, we operated digital frames in 34 airports in China
and digital TV screens in 37 airports, including the largest five airports in China: Beijing Capital International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International
Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shenzhen International Airport. In addition, we had contractual
concession rights to place our programs on the routes operated by eight airlines, including the four leading airlines in China, Air China, China Southern
Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines.
In July 2008, we expanded into the traditional air travel advertising market through the acquisition of Flying Dragon. We believe we are a leader in the
traditional air travel advertising market in two major airports: Beijing Capital International Airport and Shenzhen International Airport. We currently hold
contractual concession rights to operate light boxes and billboards primarily in Beijing Capital International Airport, Shenzhen International Airport and
Wenzhou Yongqiang Airport. In addition, we currently hold contractual concession rights to place advertisements on gate bridges located in seven major
airports in China. These advertisements include billboard advertisements and painted advertisements on the interior and exterior walls of gate bridges.
We also hold concession rights to operate various traditional advertising media including billboards, light boxes and other media platforms out of the air travel
sector. In addition to holding exclusive concession rights to develop and operate advertising media platforms at China's leading network of gas stations owned
by Sinopec, we also hold rights to build and operate billboards that display both public service content and commercial advertising, and the right to operate
unipole signs and other outdoor media across Beijing, Tianjin and the highways between several cities in Northern China.
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Air travel advertising in China has grown significantly in recent years because of growth in China's advertising market and air travel sector. By focusing on
air travel advertising, we enable our advertisers to target air travelers in China, whom we believe are an attractive demographic for advertisers due to the fact
that they have higher-than-average disposable income compared to the rest of China's population. We strategically place our digital frames, digital TV screens
and traditional media displays in high-traffic locations inside airports, particularly in areas where there tend to be significant waiting time, such as departure
halls, security check areas, boarding gates, baggage claim areas and arrival halls. The digital TV screens on our network airplanes are located in highly visible
locations in passenger compartments and on the backs of passenger seats. Furthermore, gate bridges on which we have coverage connect terminal gates with
airplanes and are the areas through which every air passenger must pass before and after he or she boards airplanes. Our combined coverage in airports and on
airplanes enables our programs to attract air travelers at multiple points during their travel experience, from check-in, boarding, flight time, to arrival.
We combine advertising contents with non-advertising content, such as weather, sports and comedy clips, in our digital TV screen programs. We have
contracts with many Chinese TV stations such as Dragon TV, the Travel Channel and CCTV-5, to show video clips of their programs in airports and on
airplanes. We also obtain TV programs such as documentaries and "hidden camera" type reality shows from other third-party content providers. In addition, in
November 2010, we entered into a strategic partnership with CCTV Mobile Media to operate the CCTV Air Channel to broadcast TV programs in digital TV
screens in airports and on airplanes to air travelers in China. CCTV Mobile Media will be responsible for program planning, production, and broadcasting and
we will operate exclusively the advertising business of CCTV Air Channel. We believe non-advertising program contents make air travelers more receptive to
the advertisements included in our programs and ultimately make our programs more effective for our advertisers. Starting in 2010, our standard programs in
airports typically include 20 minutes of advertising content during each hour of programming and are shown for approximately 16 hours per day. The length
of our in-flight programs typically ranges from approximately 45 minutes to an hour per flight, approximately five to 13 minutes of which consist of
advertising content.
We derive revenues principally by selling advertising time slots and locations on our network to our advertisers, including both direct advertisers and
advertising agencies. In the short term, we will focus on selling our current media resources and improve the utilization rates of our existing product lines.
Before we obtain a higher level of profitability in our operations, we expect that we would not obtain significantly more media resources either inside or
outside the air travel advertising sector. In the long term, however, we will continue to acquire new media platforms to provide a broader range of advertising
services for our advertisers and to become a one-stop provider for air travel as well as other forms of advertising.
Advertising Network and Services
We primarily generate revenues from advertising services at the following platforms: digital frames in airports, digital TV screens in airports and on airplanes,
traditional media in airports such as light boxes, billboards and painted advertisements and gas station media displays and other outdoor media displays
outside of the air travel advertising sector.
Digital Frames in Airports
We operate a network of digital frames, strategically placed in areas of airports such as departure halls, terminals and arrival halls, where most of the air
travelers congregate and spend significant time waiting. Our digital frames are high-definition liquid crystal display, or LCD, screens that typically change
digital picture displays approximately every 12 seconds, with certain exceptions of 5 to 15 seconds in limited airports. Our digital frames include standalone
digital frames and TV-attached digital frames. Standalone digital frames display advertisements on vertical or horizontal display panels range in sizes from 40
to 108 inches. TV-attached digital frames consist of a vertical digital frame beneath a digital TV screen and are typically in sizes ranging from 47 to 55 inches.
In response to advertiser advertising needs, we also own and operate digital frames of a larger size up to 108 inches in the airports of Beijing, Guangzhou and
Nanjing. In both international and domestic arrival halls of Terminals 2 and 3 of the Beijing International Airport, we operate 44 sets of 108-inch LCD screens
that measure four square meters (or 43.1 square feet) each; we also operate 12 sets of 108-inch LCD screens in departure halls, security checkpoints, luggage
pickup and subway entrance areas inside Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. In Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, we have three large-size light
emitting diode, or LED, screens, each measuring 76.0 square meters (or 818.4 square feet), above all of the domestic security check areas in Guangzhou
Baiyun International Airport, forming a leading security checkpoint digital media display platform in China in terms of screen size. In Nanjing Lukou
International Airport, we have three mega-size LED screens, one measuring 36 square meters (387.5 square feet) and the other two measuring 15 square
meters (161.5 square feet), above the domestic security check area in full view of the airport's domestic travelers. These three mega-size LED screens in
Nanjing Lukou International Airport started operation on February 1, 2011.
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As of March 1, 2011, we operated approximately 3,424 digital frames in 34 airports, 1,371 of which were standalone digital frames, including the 108-inch
LCD display screens and large-size LED screens, and 2,053 of which were TV-attached digital frames. These 34 airports accounted for approximately 82% of
the total air travelers in China in 2010, according to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China. Our digital frames play advertising content
repeatedly mainly in ten-minute cycles.
We believe digital frames provide an effective advertising platform to our advertisers. We sell our advertisements on digital frames in one-week units which
affords scheduling flexibility and cost-effectiveness to our advertisers. In addition, as our digital frames are located in both domestic and international
terminals in a number of airports, our advertisers can choose to place their advertisements in domestic terminals only, international terminals only or a mix of
domestic and international terminals. This flexibility in terms of location selection provides our advertisers with the ability to tailor their advertisement
packages to effectively attract their target audiences. We also continue to diversify the arrangement and placement of our digital frames to offer enhanced
visual effects. For example, in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, we have some digital frames in sets of two or three screens together as a group, and
In Shenzhen International Airport we put five screens together as a group. An advertisement can be displayed in one picture on multiple screens to better
attract air travelers' attention.
Digital TV Screens in Airports
We strategically place our digital TV screens in high-traffic areas of airports such as departure halls, security check areas, boarding gates, baggage claim areas
and arrival halls, where there tend to be significant waiting time. A majority of our standard digital TV screens are 42-inch plasma display panels or LCDs. As
of March 1, 2011, we operated approximately 2,144 digital TV screens in 37 airports in China under various concession rights contracts. These 37 airports
accounted for approximately 83% of the total air travelers in China in 2010, according to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.
Our airport programs consist of advertising and non-advertising content and are played for approximately 16 hours per day. Our non-advertising content is
played in two-hour cycles, during which our advertising content is repeated hourly. During each hour, 20 minutes of the program consists of advertising
content provided to us by our advertisers and the rest of the program consists of non-advertising content such as sports and entertainment content provided by
third-party content providers. In addition to separate advertising messages or videos, which are updated weekly, we promote the brand names of our
advertisers by naming our programs after their brand names. The non-advertising content consists of humor clips such as hidden camera shows and funny
home videos, sports clips such as soccer, snooker and extreme sports, movie previews and interviews with celebrities, as well as the latest world fashion
shows. These programs are generally updated monthly, with the programs in Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports updated weekly.
Digital TV Screens on Airplanes
As of March 1, 2011, our programs were placed on digital TV screens on routes operated by eight airlines. The displays on our network airplanes, which have
been installed by aircraft manufacturers, are located at the top of passenger compartments and on the back of passenger seats. The digital TV screens at the
top of passenger compartments typically range from 9 inches to 50 inches in size, while the display screens on the back of passenger seats typically range
from seven inches to nine inches in size. There are approximately 10 to 280 on an airplane. The TV system installed on each plane differs from one another
according to the requirements of each specific airline. For instance, if the airline chooses to implement audio-video on demand, or AVOD, systems and
personal TV, or PTV, systems, then it would have to install TV screens on the back of each and every seat on the airplane.
Our airplane display programs are played once for approximately 45 minutes to an hour per flight. Approximately five to 13 minutes of each program consist
of advertising content provided to us by our advertisers and the rest of the program consists of non-advertising content. The non-advertising content on these
planes includes travel shows, documentaries, sports and other content similar to that shown on our airport programs. We also promote brand names of our
advertisers through our programs by naming our programs after their brand names or displaying their logos on the corner of the screens during the programs.
We have obtained rights to play popular films on airplanes in our network. As most of the airplanes on which our programs are played use video tape or DVD
players to play video messages and most of these airplanes only have one video tape or DVD player, passengers are not typically given a selection of channels
and thus viewership of our programs is generally high.
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Traditional Media in Airports
Our traditional media in airports currently includes light boxes and billboards in airports and billboards and painted advertisements on gate bridges in airports.
As of March 1, 2011, we operated 588 light boxes and billboards mainly in three airports, including Beijing Capital International Airport, Shenzhen
International Airport and Wenzhou Yongqiang Airport. As of March 1, 2011, we operated 240 billboard advertisements and 46 painted advertisements on the
gate bridges mainly located in seven airports, including Beijing Capital International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Light box advertisements are static poster advertisements illuminated with back lighting and billboard advertisements are only static poster advertisements.
The advertisements on gate bridges in airports include billboard and painted advertisements on interior or exterior walls of gate bridges.
Other Media in Air Travel
We have logos for various display equipment in airports prominently displayed on these equipments, for which logos we charge advertising fees. As of March
1, 2011 we also operate 98 sets of 17-inch crystal TV screens on shuttle buses in Shanghai Pudong International and Shanghai Hongqiao airports.
Gas Station Media Network
In April 2009, we entered into an exclusive contract with Sinopec under which we obtained the concession right to develop and operate outdoor advertising
platforms at all Sinopec gas stations located throughout China until December 31, 2014, with limited exceptions. This network consists of outdoor advertising
platforms strategically placed in Sinopec gas stations where there is high visibility and significant waiting time. These outdoor advertising platforms consist of
traditional advertising formats such as light boxes and billboards, and display advertising content in month-long slots. As of March 1, 2011, we had installed
scrolling light boxes and billboards in a total of approximately 2,438 Sinopec gas stations.
Other Media Network
We have access to build and operate billboards that display both public service content and commercial advertising throughout Beijing in locations such as
shopping malls and parking lots. We also currently operate approximately 30 unipole signs and other outdoor media in locations throughout Beijing.
We believe our recently developed outdoor media network provides an alternative advertising platform to our advertisers in addition to our existing air travel
media network. We generally sell advertisements on outdoor media platforms in units of approximately one month long. We currently plan to focus on
improving the utilization rates of our existing outdoor media network resources.
Our Sales Contracts
We typically offer advertisers 12-second time slots for advertising on our digital frames, though, in some airports, we occasionally offer time slots of 5, 7.5
and 10 seconds. With respect to our digital TV screens, we offer advertising time slots of 5, 15 and 30 seconds. Sales are made pursuant to written contracts
with commitments ranging from one week to one and a half years. These digital frames and digital TV screens sales contracts typically fix the duration, time
and frequency of advertisements. For billboards and light boxes, we offer advertisers spaces on a month-basis or a year-long basis; sales are made pursuant to
written contracts with commitments ranging from a minimum of one month. These billboards and light boxes sales contracts typically fix the commencement
date and duration of such advertisements.
Payments under certain sales contracts are subject to our advertisers' receipt of monitoring reports which verify the proper display of the advertisements and
payment terms mutually agreed by both parties. We generally require our advertisers to submit advertising content at least 10 working days for digital media
and 14 working days for traditional media prior to the campaign start date, and reserve the right to refuse to display advertisements not in compliance with
content requirements under PRC laws and regulations.
Our Concession Rights Contracts
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Airports
As of March 1, 2011, we had 105 concession rights contracts to operate our digital frames, digital TV screens, other displays in our air travel network and
traditional media in 41 airports, including 28 of the major airports in China. 46 of these concession rights contracts contained provisions granting us exclusive
concession rights. The scope of the exclusivity, however, varies from contract to contract. Most of these exclusivity provisions limit the exclusivity to certain
areas of an airport. For example, our contract with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport granted us the exclusive right to operate all the closed-circuit
displays located in the domestic and international arrival and departure areas. From March 2009, we have a concession rights contract with Beijing Capital
International Airport to operate traditional advertising formats including billboards, light boxes and other formats at Terminals 1, 2, and 3 of Beijing Capital
International Airport. The concession rights for Terminals 1 and 2 expire on March 31, 2012 and the concession rights for Terminal 3 expire on December 31,
2015. We also entered into a concession rights contract with Shenzhen International Airport to operate the light boxes in the arrival walkways of Terminals A
and B of Shenzhen International Airport from April 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. We began operating these traditional media on April 1, 2009. In the same
contract, we also obtained concession rights to operate digital frames in the baggage claim areas in all of the three terminals of Beijing Capital International
Airport from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2012.
Most concession fees are fixed under our concession rights contracts with escalation clauses attached, meaning the fees undergo fixed levels of increases over
each year of the agreement. Payments under concession rights contracts are usually due three months in advance, but payments under a few material
concession rights contracts are due six months or one year in advance. The concession fees that we pay for our networks in each airport vary by each airport's
passenger volume and depend on the city where the airport is located. A majority of our concession rights contracts for our digital frames, digital TV screens
and traditional media in airports have terms ranging from three to five years without any automatic renewal provisions. However, we can opt to renew the
agreements three or five months before the expiration of certain concession rights contracts, on the condition that if another third party offers to enter into
concession rights contracts in relation to the same media platforms, we shall have first right of refusal to renew our existing concession rights contracts on
similar terms as those proposed by such third party. As of March 1, 2011, 33 out of 105 of our concession rights contracts to operate in airports would be
subject to renewal by the end of 2011. The number of displays and placement locations are explicitly specified in the majority of our concession rights
contracts.
Airlines
Our programs are currently placed on digital TV screens located on routes operated by the following eight airlines:
• China Southern Airlines;
• China Eastern Airlines;
• Air China;
• Hainan Airlines;
• Shanghai Airlines;
• Shenzhen Airlines;
• Air Macau; and
• Chengdu Airlines.
As of March 1, 2011, we had eight concession rights contracts to place our programs on these network airlines, seven of which contained provisions granting
us exclusive concession rights. The scope of the exclusivity, however, varies from contract to contract. Most of these exclusivity provisions limit the
exclusivity to certain types of programs played on airplanes. For example, our concession rights contract for our programs on Air China granted us the
exclusive right to operate the Air Panorama program, including both advertising and non-advertising content that is played on all routes operated by Air
China. Most of the concession fees are fixed by escalation clauses under the relevant concession rights contracts, and their amounts vary by the number of
routes and airplanes, type of aircraft and the departure and destination cities.
Some of the concession rights contracts set forth the number and model of airplanes on which our programs can be played. As of March 1, 2011, two out of
eight of our concession rights contracts to operate on airlines are subject to renewal by the end of 2011.
We hold 49% of the equity interests in a joint venture, Beijing Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd., or BEMC. BEMC is formed in partnership with China
Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd., a subsidiary of China Eastern Group and China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited operating the media resources of
China Eastern Group, which holds 51% equity interests in BEMC. BEMC obtained concession rights of certain media resources from its shareholders,
including the digital TV screens on airplanes of China Eastern Airlines, and paid concession fees to its shareholders as consideration. We believe this
innovative strategic partnership further strengthened our relationship with China Eastern Group and we recently renewed concession rights contract with
China Eastern Airlines to operate digital TV screens on China Eastern Airlines on an exclusive basis until December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2010,
BEMC also obtained media resources other than digital TV screens, including other existing media resources of China Eastern Airlines and new media
resources to be developed through cooperative efforts by China Eastern Airlines and us.
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Gas Station Media
In April 2009, we entered into a concession rights agreement with Sinopec under which we hold the right to exclusively operate all of the outdoor advertising
media at Sinopec gas stations throughout China until December 31, 2014, except for those stations in a limited number of cities whose media platforms have
previously been leased by Sinopec to third parties. For stations with existing media platform lease agreements with third parties, Sinopec will not renew the
contracts with third parties when the contracts expire, and will deliver these media platforms to us within a reasonable period. Under this agreement, we must
develop the outdoor advertising media, including scrolling light boxes and billboards, at Sinopec gas stations according to a plan of development that specifies
we must be operating 3,500 locations by the third year and 8,000 locations by the sixth year of the date of the agreement. The concession fee is based on the
actual number of developed gas stations and associated standard annual concession fee for each developed gas station. The concession rights agreement also
includes fixed minimum concession fee payments for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Advertisers, Sales and Marketing
Our Advertisers
Our advertisers purchase advertising time slots and locations on our advertising network either directly from us or through advertising agencies. Many
advertisers negotiate the terms of the advertising purchase agreements directly with us, but we also rely on advertising agencies for a significant portion of our
sales. Through December 31, 2010, a total of approximately 698 advertisers have purchased advertising time slots and locations on our network,
approximately 452 of which purchased advertisements on our network directly from us and approximately 246 of which purchased advertisements through
advertising agencies. Our top fifteen advertisers collectively accounted for approximately 39.0% of our revenues in 2010.
We have a broad base of international and domestic advertisers in various industries. In 2010, the top three industries that advertise on our network were
automobile, finance and high-end food and beverages, based on revenues derived from advertisers in these industries which accounted for approximately
33.8%, 18.7% and 10.3% of our total revenues in 2010, respectively. For our outdoors media network, top advertisers also include companies in the real estate
industry.
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Sales and Marketing
We provide a number of services in connection with each advertiser's advertising campaign. We rely on our experienced sales team to assist advertisers in
structuring advertising campaigns by analyzing advertisers' target audiences and the form and contents of the advertisement they may be interested in, as well
as consumer products and services. We conduct market research, consumer surveys, demographic analysis and other advertising industry research for internal
use to help our advertisers to create effective advertisements. We also use third-party market research firms from time to time to obtain the relevant market
study data, and at the same time hire such research firms to evaluate the effects of our advertising, so as to evaluate the effectiveness of our network for our
advertisers and to illustrate to our advertisers our ability to reach targeted demographic groups effectively.
Our experienced advertising sales team is organized by region and city with presence in 21 cities. Our regional marketing managers have an average of seven
years of experience in the advertising industry in China. The members of our current sales team have an average of four years of sales experience in the
advertising industry. We provide in-house education and training to our sales force to ensure they provide our current and prospective advertisers with
comprehensive information about our services, the advantages of using our air travel advertising network as a marketing channel, and relevant information
regarding the advertising industry. Our performance-linked compensation structure and career-oriented training are key drivers that motivate our sales
employees.
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We actively attend various public relation events to promote our brand image and the value of air travel digital advertising. We market our advertising
services by displaying our name and logo on all of our digital frames, digital TV screens, light boxes and billboards in airports and gas stations and by placing
advertisements on third-party media from time to time, including China Central Television. We also engage third-party advertising agencies to help source
advertisers. Agency fees are calculated based on a pre-set percentage of revenues generated from the advertisers introduced to us by the agencies.
Pricing
The listing prices of our air travel advertising services depend on the traffic flow of each airport, the gross domestic product, or GDP, average income level,
average commercial advertising budgets of major companies in the city in which each airport is located, the customer flow of each airline, the needs of each
airport and airline, the number of time slots and display locations purchased, the cost of the relevant media assets and our costs for the relevant concession
rights. The listing prices of our advertising network in Sinopec gas stations depend on economic conditions, GDP, average discretionary income, average
income levels and advertising trends in the cities in which the gas stations are located, taking into account the mainstream media advertising pricing and costs
(including local news stations, newspapers, bus stop light boxes and outdoor signs) in each city as well as our own display equipment and resource costs for
setting up such advertising network. Similar considerations apply to our outdoor media platforms. Going forward, we intend to review our listing prices
periodically and make adjustments as necessary in light of market conditions.
Prices for advertisements on our network are fixed under our sales contracts with advertisers or advertising agencies, typically at a discount to our listing
prices.
Programming
Most of our digital frames in airports play advertising content repeatedly in ten-minute cycles throughout the day. We compile each cycle from 12-second
advertisements that are provided to us by advertisers. We generally update the advertisements displayed on our digital frames on a weekly basis.
A majority of our digital TV screens in airports play programs in a two-hour cycle repeatedly throughout the day and our digital TV screens on our network
airplanes play programs ranging from 45 minutes to one hour once per flight. We compile each cycle from advertisements of 5-, 15- or 30-seconds in length
provided by advertisers to us and from non-advertising content provided by third-party content providers. We generally create a programming list on a weekly
and monthly basis for programs played in airports and on airplanes, respectively. We create this list by first fixing the schedule for advertising content
according to the respective sales contracts with our advertisers to guarantee the agreed duration, time and frequency of advertisements for each advertiser,
then adding the non-advertising content to achieve an optimal blend of advertising and non-advertising content.
Substantially all of the advertisements on our network is provided by our advertisers. All of the advertising content displayed on our advertising network is
reviewed by us to ensure compliance with PRC laws and regulations. See "Regulation—Regulation of Advertising Services—Advertising Content." We
update advertising content for our programs played on the digital frames and digital TV screens in our network airports and airplanes on a weekly and
monthly basis, respectively. Substantially all of the non-advertising content played on our network is provided by third-party content providers such as
Dragon TV, the Travel Channel and various satellite and cable television stations and television production companies. In November 2010, we entered into a
strategic partnership with CCTV Mobile Media to operate the CCTV Air Channel to broadcast TV programs to air travelers in China. Under the arrangement,
CCTV Mobile Media will be responsible for program planning, production and broadcasting. The Company will operate exclusively the advertising business
of CCTV Air TV Channel.
Our programming team edits, compiles and records into digital format all of our network programs according to the programming list. Each programming list
and pre-recorded program is carefully reviewed by the head of the execution team to ensure the accuracy of the order, duration and frequency as well as the
appropriateness of the programming content.
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Display Equipment Supplies and Maintenance
The primary hardware required for the operation of our network are the digital frames and digital TV screens that we use in our media network. Our digital
frames are flat-panel LCD displays. The majority of our digital TV screens consist of plasma display panels and LCDs. Maintaining a steady supply of our
display equipment is important to our operations and the growth of our network. The top five suppliers of our digital frames in 2010 were Samsung, SHARP,
Haier, HPC and Hitachi, which collectively provided approximately 93.6% of our total digital frames. The top five suppliers of our digital TV screens in 2010
were Hitachi, Haier, Philips, TCL and Konka, which collectively provided approximately 93.6% of our total digital TV screens. Our digital frame suppliers
typically provide us with one- to two-year warranties while our TV screen suppliers typically provide us with one-year warranties.
Our service team cleans, maintains and monitors digital frames, digital TV screens and other displays in our network airports on a daily basis. We typically
engage two to four skilled maintenance staff for each network airport to make five scheduled inspections on our displays every day. They report any technical
problems that they cannot solve on-site to our technicians in Beijing who strive to remotely analyze and fix problems within 12 hours.
For our traditional media platforms in airports, the primary hardware were already established when we purchased the traditional media from airports, and we
do not incur significant maintenance costs in relation to these platforms. For our gas stations media network and outdoors media network, where the primary
hardware consist of basic display equipment such as light boxes and billboards, such hardware will generally be established upon the time of our entering into
the relevant concession rights agreements; we may incur construction and maintenance costs in relation to these equipment.
Customer Service
Our customer service team is responsible for contacting third-party research firms to compile evaluation reports based on selective sampling of the status of
advertising on our network and providing advertisers with monthly monitoring reports once the relevant advertising campaign is launched on our network. At
the same time, we also provide our advertisers with monthly reports prepared by third parties that verify the proper functioning of our displays and the proper
dissemination of the advertisement; such reports are done through online survey to analyze the effectiveness of and public reaction to the advertisements. In
addition, our network airports and airlines as well as gas stations are also actively involved in the monitoring process.
Competition
We compete primarily with several different groups of competitors:
in-house advertising companies of airports and airlines that may operate their own advertising networks; and
• advertising companies that operate airport advertising networks, such as JC Decaux;
•
• other advertising media companies for advertising budgets, such as Internet, street facility displays, billboard and public transport advertising
companies, and with traditional advertising media, such as newspapers, television, magazines and radio, some of which may advertise in the airports in
which we have exclusive contract rights to operate digital TV screens and some of which may advertise in the gas stations and other areas where we
have our displays.
We compete for advertisers primarily on the basis of network size and coverage, location, price, program quality, range of services offered and brand
recognition. See Item 3, "Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — We face significant competition in the PRC advertising
industry, and if we do not compete successfully against new and existing competitors, we may lose our market share, and our profits may be reduced."
Intellectual Property
To protect our brand and other intellectual property, we rely on a combination of trademark and trade secret laws as well as confidentiality agreements with
our employees, sales agents, contractors and others. We have registered five trademarks in China, including "
", "AIRMEDIA", "AirMedia"
and "AirTV" . We cannot be certain that our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe or
misappropriate these rights.
" , "
We have registered our domain name www.AirMedia.net.cn with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. We were granted one patent
relating to Patent No. ZL2007 30288196.X in April 2009. We hold no copyrights.
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Regulation
We operate our business in China under a legal regime consisting of the State Council, which is the highest authority of the executive branch of the National
People's Congress, and several ministries and agencies under its authority including the SAIC.
China's Advertising Law was promulgated in 1994. In addition, the State Council, SAIC and other ministries and agencies have issued regulations that
regulate our business, all of which are discussed below.
Limitations on Foreign Ownership in the Advertising Industry
The Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue, and relevant provisions provide that foreign investment projects are divided into four categories:
encouraged, permitted, restricted and prohibited. The foreign investment projects that are encouraged, restricted and prohibited shall be listed in the Foreign
Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue. The foreign investment projects that do not fall into the categories of encouraged, restricted or prohibited projects
are considered permitted foreign investment projects and are not listed in the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue. Applicable regulations and
approval requirements vary based on the different categories. Investments in the PRC by foreign investors through wholly foreign-owned enterprises must be
in compliance with the applicable regulations, and such foreign investors must obtain governmental approvals as required by these regulations. Since the
advertising industry is not listed in the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue, it falls into the permitted foreign investment category.
The Administrative Regulations on Foreign-invested Advertising Enterprises require foreign entities that directly invest in the advertising industry to have at
least two years of direct operations in the advertising industry outside of China. Since December 10, 2005, foreign investors have been permitted to directly
own a 100% interest in advertising companies in China, but such foreign investors are required to be a company with advertising as its main business and to
have at least three years of direct operations in the advertising industry outside of China. PRC laws and regulations do not permit the transfer of any
approvals, licenses or permits, including business licenses containing a scope of business that permits engaging in the advertising industry. In the event we are
permitted to acquire the equity interests of our variable interest entities under the rules allowing for complete foreign ownership, our variable interest entities
would continue to hold the required advertising licenses consistent with current regulatory requirements.
Since we have not been involved in advertising outside of China for the required number of years, our domestic PRC operating subsidiaries are currently
ineligible to conduct advertising business in China. Currently, our advertising business is mainly conducted through contractual arrangements with our
consolidated variable interest entities in China, including AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe, AirMedia UC and AM Yuehang. Our variable interest entities
are the major companies through which we provide advertising services in China. Our subsidiary, AM Technology, has entered into a series of contractual
arrangements with our PRC operating affiliates and their respective subsidiaries and shareholders under which:
• we are able to exert effective control over our PRC operating affiliates and their respective subsidiaries;
• a substantial portion of the economic benefits of our PRC operating affiliates and their respective subsidiaries are transferred to us; and
• we have an exclusive option to purchase all of the equity interests in our PRC operating affiliates in each case when and to the extent permitted by PRC
law.
See Item 4, "Information on the Company—Organizational Structure" and Item 7, "Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party
Transactions—Contractual Arrangements."
In the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel:
•
•
the respective ownership structures of AM Technology and our consolidated variable interest entities are in compliance with existing PRC laws and
regulations;
the contractual arrangements among AM Technology and our consolidated variable interest entities, in each case governed by PRC law, are valid,
binding and enforceable, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and
• except for the SAIC outdoor advertising registrations and the SARFT approval for our non-advertising content, the PRC business operations of our
variable interest entities as described in this annual report are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects.
35
We have been advised by our PRC legal counsel, however, that there are some uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future
PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities, in particular the SAIC (which regulates advertising
companies), will not in the future take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. We have been further advised by our PRC counsel that
if the PRC government determines that the agreements establishing the structure for operating our PRC advertising business do not comply with PRC
government restrictions on foreign investment in the advertising industry, we could be subject to severe penalties. See Item 3, "Key Information—Risk
Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our China
business do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the advertising industry and in the operating of non-advertising content,
our business could be materially and adversely affected."
Regulation of Advertising Services
Business License for Advertising Companies
Under applicable regulations governing advertising businesses in China, companies that engage in advertising activities must obtain from the SAIC or its local
branches a business license which specifically includes within its scope the operation of an advertising business. Companies conducting advertising activities
without such a license may be subject to penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income and orders to cease advertising operations. The business
license of an advertising company is valid for the duration of its existence, unless the license is suspended or revoked due to a violation of any relevant law or
regulation. We do not expect to encounter any difficulties in maintaining our business licenses. Each of our variable interest entities has obtained such a
business license from the local branches of the SAIC as required by existing PRC regulations.
Each of Shenzhen AM, AM Technology and Xi'an AM has valid business license as of the date of this report. The business scope of these three entities as set
forth in their business licenses include the development of electronic, computer and media-related technologies and products and do not include advertising,
due to certain restrictions on foreign ownership of advertising enterprises under PRC law,
Advertising Content
PRC advertising laws and regulations set forth certain content requirements for advertisements in China, which include prohibitions on, among other things,
misleading content, superlative wording, socially destabilizing content or content involving obscenities, superstition, violence, discrimination or infringement
of the public interest. Advertisements for anesthetic, psychotropic, toxic or radioactive drugs are prohibited. The dissemination of tobacco advertisements via
media is also prohibited as well as the display of tobacco advertisements in public areas. There are also specific restrictions and requirements regarding
advertisements that relate to matters such as patented products or processes, pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals, foodstuff, alcohol and
cosmetics. In addition, all advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals advertised through
any media, together with any other advertisements subject to censorship by administrative authorities under relevant laws and administrative regulations, must
be submitted to the relevant administrative authorities for content approval prior to dissemination. We do not believe that advertisements containing content
subject to restriction or censorship comprise a material portion of the advertisements displayed on our network.
Advertisers, advertising operators and advertising distributors are required by PRC advertising laws and regulations to ensure that the content of the
advertisements they prepare or distribute are true and in full compliance with applicable law. In providing advertising services, advertising operators and
advertising distributors must review the prescribed supporting documents provided by advertisers for advertisements and verify that the content of the
advertisements comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations. In addition, prior to distributing advertisements for certain items which are subject to
government censorship and approval, advertising distributors are obligated to ensure that such censorship has been performed and approval has been obtained.
Violation of these regulations may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements
and orders to publish an advertisement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, the SAIC or its local branches
may revoke violators' licenses or permits for advertising business operations. Furthermore, advertisers, advertising operators or advertising distributors may
be subject to civil liability if they infringe the legal rights and interests of third parties in the course of their advertising business.
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Outdoor Advertising
The PRC Advertising Law stipulates that the exhibition and display of outdoor advertisements must not:
impede the use of public facilities, traffic safety facilities and traffic signs;
• utilize traffic safety facilities and traffic signs;
•
• obstruct commercial and public activities or create an unpleasant sight in urban areas;
• be placed in restrictive areas near government offices, cultural landmarks or historical or scenic sites; or
• be placed in areas prohibited by the local governments at or above county level from having outdoor advertisements.
In addition to the Advertising Law, the SAIC promulgated the Outdoor Advertising Registration Administrative Regulations to govern the outdoor advertising
industry in China. Outdoor advertisements in China must be registered with the local SAIC before dissemination. The advertising distributors are required to
submit an application form and other supporting documents for registration. After review and examination, if an application complies with the requirements,
the local SAIC will issue a certificate approving such advertisement. The content, format, specifications, periods and locations of dissemination of the outdoor
advertisement must be filed with the local SAIC. See Item 3, "Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—If advertising registration
certificates are not obtained for our airport advertising operations where such registration certificates are deemed to be required, we may be subject to
administrative sanctions, including the discontinuation of our advertisements at airports where the required advertising registration is not obtained."
In addition, according to a relevant SARFT circular, displaying audio-video programs such as television news, films and television shows, sports, technology
and entertainment through public audio-video systems located in automobiles, buildings, airports, bus or train stations, shops, banks and hospitals and other
outdoor public systems must be approved by the SARFT. The relevant authority in China has not promulgated any implementation rules on the procedure of
applying for the requisite approval pursuant to the SARFT circular. See Item 3, "Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—If we fail
to obtain approvals for including non-advertising content in our programs, we may be unable to continue to include such non-advertising content in our
programs, which may cause our revenues to decline and our business and prospects to deteriorate."
Regulations on Foreign Exchange
The principal regulation governing foreign currency exchange in China is the Foreign Currency Administration Rules (1996), as amended (2008). Under these
Rules, RMB is freely convertible for current account items, such as trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items,
such as direct investment, loan or investment in securities outside China unless the prior approval of, and/or registration with, SAFE or its local counterparts
(as the case may be) is obtained.
Pursuant to the Foreign Currency Administration Rules, foreign invested enterprises, or FIEs, in China may purchase foreign currency without the approval of
SAFE for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial documents evidencing these transactions. They may also retain
foreign exchange (subject to a cap approved by SAFE) to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities or to pay dividends. In addition, if a foreign company acquires a
company in China, the acquired company will also become an FIE. However, the relevant PRC government authorities may limit or eliminate the ability of
FIEs to purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future. They may also conduct examination of past foreign exchange transactions. In addition, foreign
exchange transactions for direct investment, loan and investment in securities outside China are still subject to limitations and require approvals from, and/or
registration with, SAFE.
Regulations on Dividend Distribution
Under applicable PRC regulations, wholly foreign-owned companies in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits as determined in
accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, these wholly foreign-owned companies are required to set aside at least 10% of
their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until their cumulative total reserve funds have reached 50% of the
companies' registered capitals. At the discretion of these wholly foreign-owned companies, they may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC
accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds and staff welfare and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in
the event of liquidation and cannot be used for working capital purposes.
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In addition, under the EIT Law, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a FIE in China to its foreign investors who are non-resident
enterprises will be subject to a 10% withholding tax unless any such foreign investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides
for a different withholding arrangement. BVI, where Broad Cosmos, our wholly owned subsidiary and the 100% shareholder of Shenzhen AM, is
incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. Air Media (China) Limited, the 100% shareholder of AM Technology and Xi'an AM, is incorporated
in Hong Kong. According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on Avoiding Double Taxation or Evasion of Taxation
on Income agreed between China and Hong Kong in August 2006, dividends paid by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its direct holding company in
Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 5% (if the foreign investor owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the foreign-invested
enterprise). In August 2009, the State Administration of Taxation released the Administrative Measures for Non-Residents Enjoying Tax Treaty Benefits
(Trial Implementation), which took effect on October 1, 2009. Under these measures, our Hong Kong subsidiary needs to obtain approval from the competent
local branch of the State Administration of Taxation in order to enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% in accordance with the Double Taxation
Arrangement. In February 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a new notice, or Notice No. 81. According to Notice No. 81, in order to enjoy the
preferential treatment on dividend withholding tax rates, an enterprise must be the "beneficial owner" of the relevant dividend income, and no enterprise is
entitled to enjoy preferential treatment pursuant to any tax treaties if such enterprise qualifies for such preferential tax rates through any transaction or
arrangement, the major purpose of which is to obtain such preferential tax treatment. The tax authority in charge has the right to make adjustments to the
applicable tax rates, if it determines that any taxpayer has enjoyed preferential treatment under tax treaties as a result of such transaction or arrangement. In
October 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued another notice on this matter, or Notice No. 601, to provide guidance on the criteria to determine
whether an enterprise qualifies as the "beneficial owner" of the PRC sourced income for the purpose of obtaining preferential treatment under tax treaties.
Pursuant to Notice No. 601, the PRC tax authorities will review and grant tax preferential treatment on a case-by-case basis and adopt the "substance over
form" principle in the review. Notice 601 specifies that a beneficial owner should generally carry out substantial business activities and own and have control
over the income, the assets or other rights generating the income. Therefore, an agent or a conduit company will not be regarded as a beneficial owner of such
income. Since the two notices were issued, it has remained unclear how the PRC tax authorities will implement them in practice and to what extent they will
affect the dividend withholding tax rates for dividends distributed by our subsidiaries in China to our Hong Kong subsidiary. If the relevant tax authority
determines that our Hong Kong subsidiary is a conduit company and does not qualify as the "beneficial owner" of the dividend income it receives from our
PRC subsidiaries, the higher 10% withholding tax rate may apply to such dividends.
The EIT Law provides, however, that dividends distributed between qualified resident enterprises are exempted from the withholding tax. According to the
Implementation Regulations of the EIT Law, the qualified dividend and profit distribution from equity investment between resident enterprises shall refer to
investment income derived by a resident enterprise from its direct investment in other resident enterprises, except the investment income from circulating
stocks issued publicly by resident enterprises and traded on stock exchanges where the holding period is less than 12 months. As the term "resident
enterprises" needs further clarification and interpretation, we cannot assure you that the dividends distributed by AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an
AM to their direct shareholders would be regarded as dividends distributed between qualified resident enterprises and be exempted from the withholding tax.
Under the EIT Law and related regulations, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with "de facto management bodies" within the PRC is considered a
PRC resident enterprise and is subject to the EIT at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The related regulations define the term "de facto management
bodies" as "establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel,
accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise." The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled
Overseas Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or SAT Circular 82, on April 22, 2009.
SAT Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a Chinese-controlled overseas-incorporated
enterprise is located in China. Although SAT Circular 82 applies only to overseas registered enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not to those controlled
by PRC individuals, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State Administration of Taxation's general position on how the "de facto
management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether or not they are controlled by
PRC enterprises or individuals.
38
Moreover, under the EIT Law, if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise and such income is deemed to be sourced from within the PRC, foreign ADS
holders may be subject to a 10% withholding tax upon dividends payable by us and gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares.
See "Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors —Risks Related to our Business—Dividends payable to us by our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries may
be subject to PRC withholding taxes, or we may be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income and dividends distributed to our investors may be
subject to PRC withholding taxes under the new PRC tax law."
SAFE Regulations on Offshore Investment by PRC Residents and Employee Stock Options
In October 2005, the SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Return Investment Activities
of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or SAFE Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005. SAFE
Notice 75 suspends the implementation of two prior regulations promulgated in January and April of 2005 by the SAFE. SAFE Notice 75 states that PRC
residents, whether natural or legal persons, must register with the relevant local SAFE branch prior to establishing or taking control of an offshore entity
established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving onshore assets or equity interests held by them. The term "PRC legal person residents" as
used in SAFE Notice 75 refers to those entities with legal person status or other economic organizations established within the territory of the PRC. The term
"PRC natural person residents" as used in SAFE Notice 75 includes all PRC citizens and all other natural persons, including foreigners, who habitually reside
in the PRC for economic benefit. The SAFE implementation notice of November 24, 2005 further clarifies that the term "PRC natural person residents" as
used under SAFE Notice 75 refers to those "PRC natural person residents" defined under the relevant PRC tax laws and those natural persons who hold any
interests in domestic entities that are classified as "domestic-funding" interests.
PRC residents are required to complete amended registrations with the local SAFE branch upon: (i) injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore
enterprise to the offshore entity, or (ii) subsequent overseas equity financing by such offshore entity. PRC residents are also required to complete amended
registrations or filing with the local SAFE branch within 30 days of any material change in the shareholding or capital of the offshore entity, such as changes
in share capital, share transfers, long-term equity or debt investments, and granting security interests. PRC residents who have already incorporated or gained
control of offshore entities that have made onshore investment in the PRC before SAFE Notice 75 was promulgated must register their shareholding in the
offshore entities with the local SAFE branch on or before March 31, 2006.
Under SAFE Notice 75, PRC residents are further required to repatriate into the PRC all of their dividends, profits or capital gains obtained from their
shareholdings in the offshore entity within 180 days of their receipt of such dividends, profits or capital gains. The registration and filing procedures under
SAFE Notice 75 are prerequisites for other approval and registration procedures necessary for capital inflow from the offshore entity, such as inbound
investments or shareholders loans, or capital outflow to the offshore entity, such as the payment of profits or dividends, liquidating distributions, equity sale
proceeds, or the return of funds upon a capital reduction.
In December 2006, the People's Bank of China promulgated the Administrative Measures of Foreign Exchange Matters for Individuals, or the PBOC
Regulation, setting forth the respective requirements for foreign exchange transactions by PRC individuals under either the current account or the capital
account. In January 2007, the SAFE issued implementing rules for the PBOC Regulation, which, among other things, specified approval requirements for
certain capital account transactions such as a PRC citizen's participation in the employee stock ownership plans or stock option plans of an overseas publicly-
listed company. On March 28, 2007, the SAFE promulgated the Application Procedure of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals
Participating in Employee Stock Holding Plan or Stock Option Plan of Overseas Listed Company, or the Stock Option Rule. The purpose of the Stock Option
Rule is to regulate foreign exchange administration of PRC domestic individuals who participate in employee stock holding plans and stock option plans of
overseas listed companies.
According to the Stock Option Rule, if a PRC domestic individual participates in any employee stock holding plan or stock option plan of an overseas listed
company, a PRC domestic agent or the PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company shall, among others things, file, on behalf of such individual, an
application with the SAFE to obtain approval for an annual allowance with respect to the purchase of foreign exchange in connection with stock holding or
stock option exercises as PRC domestic individuals may not directly use overseas funds to purchase stock or exercise stock options. Concurrent with the filing
of such application with the SAFE, the PRC subsidiary shall obtain approval from the SAFE to open a special foreign exchange account at a PRC domestic
bank to hold the funds required in connection with the stock purchase or option exercise, any remitted principal or profits upon sales of stock, any dividends
issued upon the stock and any other income or expenditures approved by the SAFE. The PRC subsidiary also is required to obtain approval from the SAFE to
open an overseas special foreign exchange account at an overseas trust bank to hold overseas funds used in connection with any stock purchase.
39
All proceeds obtained by PRC domestic individuals from sales of stock shall be fully remitted back to China after relevant overseas expenses are deducted.
The foreign exchange proceeds from these sales can be converted into Renminbi or transferred to such individual's foreign exchange savings account after the
proceeds have been remitted back to the special foreign exchange account opened at the PRC domestic bank. If the stock option is exercised in a cashless
exercise, the PRC domestic individuals are required to remit the proceeds to the special foreign exchange account.
Although many issues relating to the Stock Option Rule still require further interpretation, we and our PRC employees who have been granted stock options
are subject to the Stock Option Rule. If we or our PRC employees fail to comply with the Stock Option Rule, we and/or our PRC employees may face
sanctions imposed by foreign exchange authority or any other PRC government authorities.
In addition, the State Administration of Taxation has issued a few circulars concerning employee stock options. Under these circulars, our employees working
in China who exercise stock options will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to
employee stock options with relevant tax authorities and withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their stock options. If our
employees fail to pay and we fail to withhold their income taxes, we may face sanctions imposed by tax authorities or any other PRC government authorities.
Seasonality
Our operating results and operating cash flows historically have been subject to seasonal variations. This pattern may change, however, as a result of new
market opportunities or new product introductions.
C. Organizational Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of May 3, 2011:
40
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Dotted line denotes contractual arrangements with variable interest entities and their respective shareholders.
Shengshi Lianhe is 79.86% owned by Herman Man Guo, our founder, chairman, chief executive officer and an ultimate owner of our ordinary shares,
11.94% owned by Qing Xu, our director, executive president and an ultimate owner of our ordinary shares and 8.2% owned by Xiaoya Zhang, our
former president, interim chief financial officer, director and an ultimate owner of our ordinary shares. Mr. Zhang resigned from all his positions with
our company effective on February 1, 2011.
AM Advertising is 96.76% owned by Shengshi Lianhe, 2.833% owned by Herman Man Guo, 0.241% owned by Qing Xu and 0.166% owned by
Xiaoya Zhang.
AirMedia UC is 98.75% owned by AM Advertising, 1.035% owned by Herman Man Guo and 0.215% owned by Qing Xu.
AM Yuehang is 80% owned by James Zhonghua Feng, our chief operating officer and 20% owned by Tao Hong.
41
Substantially all of our operations are conducted through contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities in China, AM Advertising,
Shengshi Lianhe, AirMedia UC and AM Yuehang. We do not have any equity interests in our variable interest entities, but instead enjoy the economic
benefits derived from them through a series of contractual arrangements. See Item 7, "Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party
Transactions—Contractual Arrangements" for a description of these arrangements.
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Our headquarters are located in Beijing, China, where we lease approximately 4,393 square meters (approximately 47,281 square feet) of office space. Our
branch offices lease approximately 5,922 square meters (approximately 63,748 square feet) of office space in approximately 35 other locations.
In addition, we own approximately 405 square meters (approximately 4359 square feet) of office space in China.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements. Our actual
results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements because of various factors, including those set forth under Item 3,
"Key Information — D. Risk Factors" or in other parts of this annual report on Form 20-F. See "Forward-looking Information."
A. Operating Results
Important Factors Affecting our Results of Operations
Our operating results are substantially affected by the following factors and trends.
Demand for Our Advertising Time Slots and Locations
The demand for our advertising time slots and locations is directly related to the demand for air travel and advertising spending in China. The demand for air
travel is in turn affected by general economic conditions, the affordability of air travel in China and certain special events that may attract air travelers into
and within China. Advertising spending is also particularly sensitive to changes in general economic conditions. The increase or decrease in demand for air
travel and advertising spending could affect the attractiveness of our network to advertisers, our ability to fill our advertising time slots and locations and the
price we charge for our advertising time slots and locations.
Service Offerings
Currently, our advertising network primarily consists of standard digital frames, digital TV screens in airports, traditional media in airports such as billboards
and light boxes, digital screens on airplanes and various traditional advertising formats in gas stations and other locations such as urban mall parking lots. We
believe our current broad range of service offerings provides our advertisers with diverse choices in selecting and combining different air travel and other
advertising platforms that best suit their advertising needs and preferences, maximizes the consumer reach of the advertisements shown on our network and
allows us to cross-sell different advertising services. Ultimately, we believe our broad range of service offerings will increase and diversify the sources of
revenues we can generate from our advertising network.
Number of Our Advertising Time Slots and Locations Available for Sale
The number of time slots available for our digital frames and digital TV screens in airports during the period presented is calculated by multiplying the time
slots per week in a given airport by the number of weeks during the period presented when we had operations in such airport and then calculating the sum of
all the time slots available for each of our network airports. The number of time slots available for our digital TV screens on airplanes during the period
presented is calculated by multiplying the time slots per month for a given airline by the number of months during the period presented when we had
operations on such airline and then calculating the sum of all the time slots for each of our network airlines. The number of locations available for sale in
traditional media in airports is defined as the sum of (a) the number of light boxes and billboards in Beijing, Shenzhen, Wenzhou and certain other airports
and (b) the number of gate bridges in airports where we have concession rights to place advertisement on gate bridges. The number of locations available for
sale for our light boxes and billboards in gas stations and other outdoor locations is defined as the number of light boxes and billboards we currently operate in
Sinopec gas stations and in various outdoor locations throughout Beijing.
42
By increasing the number of airports, airlines and gas stations in our network, we can increase the number of advertising time slots and locations that we have
available to sell. In addition, the length of our advertising cycle for our digital frames and digital TV screens can potentially be extended to longer durations
depending on demand in each airport or airline. However, advertisers may be unwilling to accept placement of their advertisements on a longer time cycle
which decreases the frequencies of their advertisements displayed each day. In addition, by increasing the number of light boxes, billboards and gate bridges
in our network, we can increase the number of advertising spaces and locations that we have available to sell. See Item 3, "Key Information — D. Risk
Factors — Risks Related to our Business — When our current advertising network of digital frames, digital TV screens, light boxes, billboards and gate
bridges becomes saturated in the major airports, airlines and other locations where we operate, we may be unable to offer additional time slots or locations to
satisfy all of our advertisers' needs, which could hamper our ability to generate higher levels of revenues and profitability over time."
Pricing
The average selling price for our advertising time slots is generally calculated by dividing our advertising revenues from these time slots by the number of 12-
second equivalent advertising time slots for digital frames in airports and 30-second equivalent advertising time slots for digital TV screens in airports and on
airplanes sold during that period. The average selling price for our traditional media spaces and locations in airports is calculated by dividing the revenues
derived from all the locations sold by the number of locations sold during the period presented, and we use a similar method to calculate average selling price
for our gas station and outdoor media locations. The primary factors that affect the effective price we charge advertisers for time slots and locations on our
network and our utilization rate include the attractiveness of our network to advertisers, which depends on the number of displays and locations, the number
and scale of airports and airplanes in our network, the level of demand for time slots and locations, and the perceived effectiveness by advertisers of their
advertising campaigns placed on our network. We may increase the selling prices of our advertising time slots and locations from time to time depending on
the demand for our advertising time slots, spaces and locations.
A significant percentage of the programs played on our digital TV screens in airports and on airplanes include non-advertising content such as TV programs
or public service announcements. We do not directly generate revenues from non-advertising content, but instead obtain such content from third party content
providers. We believe that the combination of non-advertising content with advertising content makes people more receptive to our programs, which in turn
makes the advertising content more effective for our advertisers. We believe this in turn allows us to charge a higher price for each advertising time slot. We
closely track the program blend and advertiser demand to optimize our ability to generate revenues for each program cycle.
Utilization Rate
The utilization rate of our advertising time slots is the total time slots sold as a percentage of total time slots available during the relevant period. In order to
provide meaningful comparisons of the utilization rate of our advertising time slots, we generally normalize our time slots into 12- second units for digital
frames in different airports and 30-second units for digital TV screens in airports and on airplanes, which we can then compare across network airports,
airlines and periods to chart the normalized utilization rate of our network by airports and airlines and over time. The utilization rate of our advertising
locations for traditional media in airports, gas stations and outdoor media is the total number of locations sold as a percentage of the total number of locations
available during the relevant period. Our overall utilization rate is primarily affected by the demand for our advertising time slots and locations and our ability
to increase the sales of our advertising time slots and locations, especially those advertising time slots and locations on our network airports. We plan to
strengthen our sales efforts in these cities by building local sales teams to increase our direct sales of advertising time slots and locations in these cities and
ultimately improve our utilization rate.
43
Network Coverage and Concession Fees
The demand for our advertising time slots and locations and the effective price we charge advertisers for time slots and locations on our network depend on
the attractiveness and effectiveness of our network as viewed by our advertisers which, in turn, is related to the breadth of our network coverage, including
significant coverage in major airports and airlines that advertisers wish to reach. As a result, it has been, and will continue to be, important for us to secure and
retain concession rights contracts to operate our digital frames, digital TV screens and traditional media in major airports and to place our programs on major
airlines and to increase the number of displays which we operate in those airports and programs we place on those airlines. In addition, our future results of
operations will also be affected by our network coverage beyond airports and airlines, including gas stations.
Concession fees constitute a significant portion of our cost of revenues. Concession fees tend to increase over time, and a significant increase in concession
fees will increase our cost while our revenues may not increase proportionately, or at all. It will therefore be important to our results of operations that we
secure and retain these concession rights contracts on commercially advantageous terms.
Revenues
We generate revenues from the sale of advertising time slots and locations on our advertising network. In the second quarter of 2009, we revised some of our
existing revenue categories in order to more closely align our revenue presentation with our existing operating metrics. The "billboards on gate bridges in
airports" category and part of the original "other displays" category traditionally used in our revenue presentation were combined and reclassified as one
category, "traditional media in airports," which includes revenues from all traditional forms of media in airports, such as billboards, light boxes and gate
bridge advertising. The remaining part of the original "other displays" category, consisting of revenues from advertising displays on digital TV screens on
airport shuttle buses and logos for various display equipment in airports, is now reclassified as the "other revenues in air travel" category. The "gas station
media network" category consists of advertising platforms such as billboards and light boxes located in some Sinopec gas stations. Revenues now also include
a new "other media" category, which represents primarily revenues from AM Outdoor, a company our variable interest entity, AM Advertising, acquired in
January 2010 which operates unipole signs and other outdoor media across Beijing, Tianjin and the highways between several cities in Northern China. The
following table sets forth the revenues generated from each of our current advertising categories, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of total
revenues for the periods indicated. The reclassified revenues from 2008 are provided for purposes of year-to-year comparison.
(All amounts are in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except percentages)
Fiscal Year Ended December31,
2009
Amount % Amount % Amount %
2010
2008
Air Travel Media Network
Digital frames in airports
Digital TV screens in airports
Digital TV screens on airplanes
Traditional media in airports
Other revenues in air travel
Gas station Media Network
Other Media
Total revenues
Business tax and other sales tax
Net revenues
Revenues from Air Travel Media Network
47,591 37.9%
19,227 15.3%
5.2%
6,490
5.7%
7,221
—
—
—
—
$ 45,011 35.9% $ 66,255 43.4% $ 113,196 47.9%
28,905 12.2%
37,260 24.4%
27,564 11.7%
17,082 11.2%
48,418 20.5%
27,192 17.8%
1.7%
4,063
3.1%
4,639
1.5%
3,664
0.1%
102
4.5%
10,650
—
—
125,540 100.0% 152,530 100.0% 236,460 100.0%
(5,955) (2.5)%
$ 119,433 95.1% $ 149,428 98.0% $ 230,505 97.5%
(3,102) (2.0)%
(6,107) (4.9)%
Revenues from our digital frames in airports accounted for 35.9%, 43.4% and 47.9% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and
2010, respectively. We started generating revenues from digital frames located in Beijing Capital International Airport in December 2007. From 2008 to 2009,
we significantly expanded the number of digital frames in our network. As of December 31, 2008, we operated 2,156 digital frames in 22 airports. As of
December 31, 2009, we operated a total of 3,056 digital frames in 31 airports. As of December 31, 2010, we operated 3,466 digital frames in 34 airports.
44
Revenues from our digital TV screens in airports accounted for 37.9%, 24.4% and 12.2% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009
and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, we operated 2,854 digital TV screens in 41 airports. As of December 31, 2009, we operated 2,231 digital
TV screens in 40 airports. As of December 31, 2010, we operated 2,215 digital TV screens in 38 airports. In 2009, we replaced a number of less profitable
digital TV screens in certain airports with more profitable digital frames and terminated operations of digital TV screens in certain airports in which its
operations were not sufficiently profitable. The percentage decline from 2008 to 2010 was primarily attributable to the fact that our advertisers shifted their
advertising budget allocations from our digital TV screens in airports to our other products.
Revenues from our digital TV screens on airplanes accounted for 15.3%, 11.2% and 11.7% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009
and 2010, respectively. Our network consisted of nine airlines as of each of December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The percentage decline from 2008 to 2009
was primarily due to the increase in the size of our total revenues and the global economic downturn.
Revenues from traditional media in airports, consisting of billboards and light boxes in airports and billboards and painted advertisements on gate bridges,
accounted for 5.2%, 17.8% and 20.5% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The percentage increase
from 2008 to 2010 was primarily due to our strategy of expanding our traditional media offerings in airports. We have offered light box displays since the
commencement of our operations.
Other revenues in air travel, mainly generated from shuttle bus displays and equipment logos displayed on advertising equipment such as digital TV screens,
accounted for 5.7%, 3.1% and 1.7% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Revenues from Gas Station Media Network
Our gas station media network was started during 2009, when we gained concession rights to develop and operate an outdoor advertising network in Sinopec
gas stations throughout China. Revenues from our gas station media network, consisting of outdoor advertising platforms such as billboards and light boxes at
Sinopec gas stations in China, accounted for 0.1% and 1.5% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. While our
gas station network is still new and faces a number of uncertainties, we experienced steady revenue growth in 2010. We expect the growth to continue in
2011.
Revenues from Other Media
Revenues from other media were primarily revenues from AM Outdoor, a company our variable interest entity AM Advertising acquired in January 2010,
which operates unipole signs and other outdoor media across Beijing , Tianjin and the highways between several cities in Northern China. Revenues from our
other media accounted for 4.5% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Business Tax and Other Sales Related Tax
Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities are subject to PRC business tax and other sales related taxes at the rate of 8.5% on total
revenues after deduction of certain costs of revenues permitted by the PRC tax laws. For purposes of calculating the amount of business and other sales tax,
concession fees are permitted to be deducted from total revenues under applicable PRC tax law.
We deduct these business taxes and other sales taxes from revenues to arrive at net revenues.
Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of concession fees, agency fees and other costs, including digital frames and digital TV screen depreciation costs,
operating costs and non-advertising content costs. The following table sets forth the major components of our cost of revenues, both in absolute amounts and
as percentages of net revenues for the periods indicated.
45
(All amounts are in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except percentages)
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
2009
Amount % Amount % Amount %
$ 119,433 100.0% $ 149,428 100.0% $ 230,505 100.0%
2008
2010
Net revenues
Cost of revenues
(45,704) (38.3)% (110,075) (73.7)% (134,294) (58.3)%
Concession fees
(40,153) (17.4)%
(21,356) (14.2)%
(18,164) (15.2)%
Agency fees
Others
(23,461) (10.2)%
(16,110) (10.8)%
(7,127) (6.0)%
Total cost of revenues$ (70,995) (59.4)% $ (147,541) (98.7)% $ (197,908) (85.9)%
Concession Fees
We incur concession fees to airports for placing and/or operating our digital frames, digital TV screens and other traditional media displays, to airlines for
placing our programs on their digital TV screens and to gas stations for operating our traditional media displays such as light boxes and billboards. These fees
constitute a significant portion of our cost of revenues and equaled approximately 38.3%, 73.7% and 58.3% of our net revenues in years ended December 31,
2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Most of the concession fees paid to airports and airlines are fixed under the relevant concession rights contracts with
escalation clauses, which require fixed fee increases over each year of the relevant contract, and payments are usually due three or six months in advance. The
concession fees paid to Sinopec are based on the actual number of developed gas stations and associated standard annual concession fees for each developed
gas station. The Sinopec concession rights agreement also includes fixed minimum concession fee payments for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Concession fees as a
percentage of net revenues increased significantly from 2008 to 2010 because we significantly expanded our media resources with an additional number of
concession rights contracts entered into over the years and, while concession fee payments under these additional concession rights contracts began almost
immediately after signing and were paid on a fixed schedule, it took a while for us to ramp up sales of advertising time slots and locations and build up
revenues from these newly signed concession rights contracts. The concession fees that we incur under concession rights contracts for our digital frames and
digital TV screens in airports vary depending on the airport's passenger flow, the city where the airport is located and the profiles of air passengers. The
concession fees that we incur under concession rights contracts for our programs on airlines vary depending on the number of routes and airplanes, types of
aircrafts and the departure and destination cities.
Concession fees tend to increase over time as growth in passenger volume increases demand for air travel advertising among advertisers; in addition, as we
plan to develop more Sinopec gas stations, such additional gas stations would lead to increase in concession fees paid to Sinopec. Our concession fees have
increased significantly due to the new concession rights contracts that we have entered into during the period from 2008 to 2010, including the ones with
digital frame network, traditional media in Beijing and Shenzhen airports and Sinopec gas stations. As some of our concession rights contracts are subject to
renewal in the next several years, we may experience an increase in our concession fees in order to retain these concession rights contracts.
Agency Fees
We engage third-party advertising agencies to help source advertisers from time to time. These third-party advertising agencies assist us in identifying and
introducing advertisers to us. In return, we pay them fees if any of these advertisers generates advertising revenues for us. Fees that we pay to these third-party
agencies are calculated based on a pre-set percentage of revenues generated from the advertisers introduced to us by the third-party agencies and are paid
when payments are received from the advertisers. We record these agency fees as cost of revenues ratably over the period in which the related advertisements
are displayed. Agency fees were equal to 15.2%, 14.2% and 17.4% of our net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
We expect to continue using these third-party advertising agencies in the near future.
Others
Our other cost of revenues represents 6.0%, 10.8% and 10.2% of our net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and
includes the following:
46
• Display Equipment Depreciation. Generally, we capitalize the cost of our digital frames, digital TV screens, light boxes and billboards and
constructions in the gas station media network and recognize depreciation costs on a straight-line basis over the term of their useful lives, which we
estimate to be five years. The primary factors affecting our depreciation costs are the number of digital frames and digital TV screens in our network
and the unit cost for those displays, as well as the remaining useful life of the displays.
• Display Equipment Maintenance Cost. Our display maintenance cost consists of salaries for our network maintenance staff, travel expenses in relation
to on-site visits and monitoring and costs for materials and maintenance in connection with the upkeep of our advertising network. The primary factor
affecting our display equipment maintenance cost is the size of our network maintenance staff. As we add new digital frames and digital TV screens
and other media platforms, we expect that our network maintenance staff, and associated costs, will increase.
• Non-advertising Content Cost. The programs on the majority of our digital TV screens combine advertising content with non-advertising content, such
as weather, sports and comedy clips. Our standard programs in airports currently include 40 minutes of non-advertising content during each hour of
programming and are shown for approximately 16 hours per day. The length of our in-flight programs typically ranges from approximately 45 to 60
minutes per flight, approximately 40 to 47 minutes of which consist of non-advertising content. The non- advertising program content makes air
travelers more receptive to the advertisements included in our programs and ultimately make our program more effective for our advertisers. This in
turn allows us to charge a higher price for each advertising time slot. We also promote the brand names of our advertisers through our program content
by naming our programs after their brand names or displaying their logos on the corner of the digital TV screens during the programs. We do not
produce or create any of the non-advertising content shown on our network. The non-advertising content broadcast on our network is provided by
third-party content providers such as China International TV Corporation, Shanghai Media Group and various local television stations and television
production companies. In November 2010, we entered into a strategic partnership with CCTV Mobile Media to operate the CCTV Air Channel to
broadcast TV programs to air travelers in China. Under the arrangement, CCTV Mobile Media will be responsible for program planning, production
and broadcasting. We pay a fixed price for some content. Other content is provided free to us and the provider of the content benefits by having its logo
shown on the content in addition to experiencing greater exposure to a wider audience. These providers of free content receive no benefit from us and
do not place advertising with us. We do not directly generate revenues from these non-exchange transactions. Some of the third-party content providers
that currently do not charge us for their content may do so in the future and other third-party content providers may increase the prices for their
programs over time. This may increase our cost of revenues in the future.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist of general and administrative expenses and selling and marketing expenses. The following table sets forth the two components
of our operating expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated.
(All amounts are in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except percentages)
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
2009
Amount % Amount % Amount %
$ 119,433 100.0% $ 149,428 100.0% $ 230,505 100.0%
2010
2008
Net revenues
Operating expenses
General and administrative expenses
Selling and marketing expenses
Impairment of intangible asset
Total operating expenses
We expect that our operating expenses will further increase in the future as we expand our network and operations and enhance our sales and marking
activities.
(24,646) (10.7)%
(18,112) (7.9)%
(1,000) (0.4)%
--
$ (24,545) (20.6)% $ (48,375) (32.4)% $ (43,758) (19.0)%
(34,936) (23.4)%
(13,439) (9.0)%
--
(14,374) (12.0)%
(10,171) (8.5)%
--
--
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were equal to 12.0%, 23.4% and 10.7% of our net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010,
respectively. Our general and administrative expenses included share-based compensation expenses of $3.8 million, $4.2 million and $5.5 million in the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of office and utility expenses, salaries
and benefits for general management, finance and administrative personnel, bad debt provisions, depreciation of office equipment, public relations related
expenses and other administration related expenses. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the near term as we incur
additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business.
47
Selling and Marketing Expenses
Selling and marketing expenses accounted for 8.5%, 9.0% and 7.9% of our net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Our selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for our sales and marketing personnel, office and utility expenses related to our
selling and marketing activities, travel expenses incurred by our sales personnel, expenses for the promotion, advertisement and sponsorship of media events,
and other sales and marketing related expenses. We expect selling and marketing expenses to increase as we invest greater resources in sales and marketing of
our advertising network.
Taxation
Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to tax on our income or capital gains.
We did not record any Hong Kong profits tax for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 on the basis that our Hong Kong subsidiaries did not
have any assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
On March 16, 2007, the PRC National People's Congress passed the EIT Law, which imposes an uniform earned income tax, or EIT, rate of 25% on most
domestic enterprises and foreign investment enterprises. The EIT Law became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, entities that qualify as
HNTE are entitled to the preferential income tax rate of 15%. A company's status as a HNTE is valid for three years, after which the company must re-apply
for such qualification in order to continue to enjoy the preferential income tax rate. In addition, according to the Administrative Regulations on the
Recognition of High and New Technology Enterprises, the Guidelines for Recognition of High and New Technology Enterprises and the Notice of Favorable
Enterprise Income Tax Policies jointly issued by the PRC Ministry of Science and Technology, the PRC Ministry of Finance and the PRC State
Administration of Taxation in April 2008, July 2008 and February 2008, respectively, "new software enterprises" can enjoy an income tax exemption for two
years beginning with their first profitable year and a 50% tax reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years.
On December 26, 2007, the PRC State Council issued Circular 39. Based on Circular 39, certain enterprises established before March 16, 2007 that were
eligible for tax exemptions or reductions according to the then effective tax laws and regulations can continue to enjoy such exemption or reduction until it
expires. Furthermore, according to Circular 39, enterprises that were eligible for preferential tax rates according to the then effective tax laws and regulations
may be eligible for a gradual rate increase to 25% over the 5-year period beginning from January 1, 2008. Specifically, the applicable rates under such an
arrangement for such enterprises that enjoyed a 15% tax rate prior to the effectiveness of the EIT Law are 18% in 2008, 20% in 2009, 22% in 2010, 24% in
2011 and 25% in 2012. However, according to the Notice on Prepayment of EIT issued by the State Administration of Taxation on January 30, 2008, the
gradually increased EIT rate during the transition period is not applicable to entities that qualified for preferential rates as high and new technology enterprises
alone and they would be subject to EIT at 25% from January 2008 if they cannot qualify as high and new technology enterprises under the EIT Law and
related regulations.
AM Technology was recognized as a HNTE under the new rules and therefore, it is entitled to enjoy a preferential EIT rate of 15%. It was also eligible for a
50% tax reduction from 2009 to 2011 under the applicable tax laws and regulations that were in effect before January 1, 2008, the date the EIT Law came into
effect. As a result, AM Technology was subject to the effective tax rate of 7.5% in 2009 and 2010, and is expected to be subject to the same rate in 2011.
On April 21, 2010, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular "In respect of Further Clarifying the Implementation Scope of Preferential EIT
Rate during Transition Periods," which gives further guidance on the appropriate tax rate that an entity enjoys as a HNTE in addition to guidance on other
preferential treatment. Uncertainties as to the interpretation of the Circular exist. While AM Technology is expected to be subject to an EIT rate of 7.5% in
2011, from 2012 onward, AM Technology may be subject to a preferential EIT at the rate of 15% as long as it maintains its status as a HNTE.
48
Xi'an AM was designated as a "new software enterprise" in August 2008 by the Technology Information Bureau of Shaanxi Province and has received the
written notice from Xi'an local tax bureau that it will be granted a two-year exemption from EIT commencing on its first profitable year and a 50% deduction
of the 25% EIT rate for the succeeding three years. As Xi'an AM first made profits in 2009, it was exempted from EIT in 2009 and 2010. Shenzhen AM
received written approval from local governments in May, 2009 that granted it a two-year exemption from EIT in 2008 and 2009, and preferential EIT at the
rates of 11%, 12% and 12.5% for 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Hainan Jinhui is subject to EIT on the taxable income at the gradual rate, which is 18%
in 2008, 20% in 2009, and 22% in 2010, and will be 24% in 2011 and 25% in 2012, respectively, according to Circular 39.
Furthermore, under the EIT Law, a "resident enterprise," which includes an enterprise established outside of China with "de facto management bodies"
located in China, are subject to PRC income tax. We do not believe we and our subsidiaries established outside of the PRC are PRC resident enterprises.
However, if the PRC tax authorities subsequently determine that we and our subsidiaries established outside of China should be deemed as a resident
enterprise, we and our subsidiaries established outside of China will be subject to PRC income tax at a rate of 25%. In addition, under the new PRC enterprise
income tax law, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign investors who are non-resident
enterprises are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a
different withholding arrangement. BVI, where Broad Cosmos, our wholly owned subsidiary and the 100% shareholder of Shenzhen AM, is incorporated,
does not have such a tax treaty with China. Air Media (China) Limited, the 100% shareholder of AM Technology and Xi'an AM, is incorporated in Hong
Kong. According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on Avoiding Double Taxation or Evasion of Taxation on
Income agreed between China and Hong Kong in August 2006, dividends paid by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its direct holding company in
Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 5% (if the foreign investor owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the foreign-invested
enterprise). However, if the Hong Kong company is not considered to be the beneficial owner of dividends paid to it by its PRC subsidiaries under a tax notice
promulgated on October 27, 2009, such dividends would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. See "Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors —
Risks Related to our Business—Dividends payable to us by our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries may be subject to PRC withholding taxes, or we may be
subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income and dividends distributed to our investors may be subject to PRC withholding taxes under the new PRC tax
law."
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reporting of, among
other things, assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based
on the most recently available information, our own historical experiences and other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Since our
financial reporting process inherently relies on the use of estimates and assumptions, our actual results could differ from our expectations. This is especially
true with some accounting policies that require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. We consider the policies discussed below to be
critical to an understanding of our audited consolidated financial statements because they involve the greatest reliance on our management's judgment.
Business combinations
Business combinations are recorded using the purchase method of accounting. On January 1, 2009, we adopted a new accounting pronouncement with
prospective application which made certain changes to the previous authoritative literature on business combinations. From January 1, 2009, the assets
acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest of the acquiree at the acquisition date, if any, are measured at their fair values as of that date.
Goodwill is recognized and measured as the excess of the total consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest of the acquiree, if
any, at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Previously, any non-controlling interest was reflected at historical cost.
Common forms of the consideration made in acquisitions include cash and common equity instruments. Consideration transferred in a business acquisition is
measured at the fair value as of the date of acquisition. For shares issued in a business combination, we have estimated the fair value as of the date of
acquisition.
Where the consideration in an acquisition includes contingent consideration, the payment of which depends on the achievement of certain specified conditions
post-acquisition, from January 1, 2009 the contingent consideration is recognized and measured at its fair value at the acquisition date and if recorded as a
liability, it is subsequently carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings. For periods prior to January 1, 2009 contingent consideration
was not recorded until the contingency was resolved.
49
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are derived from selling advertising time slots on our advertising networks, primarily air travel advertising network. For the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the advertising revenues were generated from digital frames in airports, digital TV screens in airports, digital TV screens
on airlines, traditional media in airports, gas station media network and other media.
We typically sign standard contracts with our advertising customers, who require our company to run the advertiser's advertisements on our network in
specified locations for a period of time. We recognize advertising revenues ratably over the performance period for which the advertisements are displayed, so
long as collection of the fees remains probable.
We also wholesale the advertising platforms such as scrolling light boxes and billboards in the gas stations located in some major cities, except Beijing,
Shanghai and Shenzhen, to advertising agents, and sign fixed fee contracts with the agents for a specified period. The revenue is recognized on a straight-line
basis over the specified period.
Deferred Revenue
Prepayments from customers for advertising service are deferred and recognized as revenue when the advertising services are rendered.
Non-monetary Exchanges
We periodically exchanges advertising time slots and locations with other entities for assets or services, such as digital screen network equipment and office
rental. We recognize revenues and assets/expenses of the exchanges based on the fair value of the advertising provided, which can be determined based on our
historical practice of receiving cash. The amounts of revenues recognized for nonmonetary transactions were $1,049,000, $739,000 and $1,244,000 for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. No direct costs are attributable to the revenues.
Concession Fees
We enter concession right agreements with vendors such as airports, airlines and a petroleum company, under which we obtain the right to use the spaces or
equipment of the vendors to display the advertisements. The concession right agreements are treated as operating lease arrangements.
Fees under concession right agreements are usually due every three, six or twelve months. Payments made are recorded as current assets and current liabilities
according to the respective payment terms. Most of the concession fees with airports and airlines are fixed with escalation, which means fixed increase over
each year of the agreements. The total concession fee under the concession right agreements with airports and airlines is charged to the consolidated
statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the agreement periods, which is generally between three and five years.
The concession right agreement with the petroleum company has a fee structure which is based on the actual number of developed gas stations and associated
standard annual concession fee for each developed gas station. Each gas station has its specific lease term and rental payments based on the month when it is
actually put into operation and the standard annual city concession fee level where it is located. Accordingly, each gas station is treated as a separate lease and
rental payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over its lease term. The concession right agreement also includes fixed minimum payments and the
annual concession fee to-be-paid is calculated as the higher of a fixed minimum payment or the actual concession fee based on number and locations of the
gas stations.
Agency Fees
We pay fees to advertising agencies based on certain percentage of revenues made through the advertising agencies upon receipt of payment from advertisers.
The agency fees are charged to cost of revenues in the consolidated statements of operations ratably over the period in which the advertising is displayed.
Prepaid and accrued agency fees are recorded as current assets and current liabilities according to relative timing of payments made and advertising service
provided.
50
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We conduct credit evaluations of clients and generally do not require collateral or other security from clients. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts
based upon estimates, historical experience and other factors surrounding the credit risk of specific clients. The amount of receivables ultimately not collected
by us has generally been consistent with expectations and the allowance established for doubtful accounts. If the frequency and amount of customer defaults
change due to the clients' financial condition or general economic conditions, the allowance for uncollectible accounts may require adjustment. As a result, we
continuously monitor outstanding receivables and adjust allowances for accounts where collection may be in doubt.
Income taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial
statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by
a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to us as enacted by the relevant tax authorities.
The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than not to be sustained
upon audit by the relevant tax authorities. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
Additionally, we classify the interest and penalties, if any, as a component of the income tax position.
Share-based Compensation
Share-based payment transactions with employees are measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instrument issued, and recognized as
compensation expenses over the requisite service periods based on a straight-line method, with a corresponding impact reflected in additional paid-in capital.
Share-based payment transactions with non-employees are accounted for as share based compensation expenses in accordance with the guidance regarding
accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring, or in conjunction with selling, goods or services.
Our Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our
consolidated financial statements, including the related notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to
predict our future operating results. Therefore, our historical consolidated results of operations are not necessarily indicative of our results of operations you
may expect for any future period.
(All amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share, per share and per ADS data)
Year Ended December31,
2008 2009 2010
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues:
Air Travel Media Network
Digital frames in airports
Digital TV screens in airports
Digital TV screens on airplanes
Traditional media in airports
Other revenues in air travel
Gas Station Media Network
Other Media
Total revenues
Business tax and other sales tax
Net revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing (including share-based compensation of $1,158, $1,540 and $2,424 in 2008, 2009 and 2010,
$ 45,011 $ 66,255 $ 113,196
28,905
47,591 37,260
27,564
19,227 17,082
48,418
6,490 27,192
4,063
4,639
7,221
3,664
102
—
10,650
—
—
125,540 152,530 236,460
respectively)
General and administrative (including share-based compensation of $3,805, $4,226 and $5,547 in 2008, 2009 and 2010,
respectively)
Impairment of intangible asset
Total operating expenses
Income/(loss) from operations
Interest income
Gain on remeasurement of fair value of cost and equity method investments (net)
Other income, net
Income tax benefits
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Share of (loss)/ income on equity method investments
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders
51
(6,107)
(3,102)
(5,955)
119,433 149,428 230,505
(70,995) (147,541) (197,908)
32,597
48,438
1,887
(10,171)
(13,439)
(18,112)
(14,374)
-
(24,545)
23,893
5,379
-
1,135
498
382
(325)
(24,646)
(1,000)
(43,758)
(11,161)
694
919
940
735
(2,666)
290
$ 30,198 $ (37,239)$ (4,917)
(34,936)
-
(48,375)
(46,488)
2,025
-
1,239
6,032
211
164
The following table presents selected operating data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Year Ended December 31,
2008 2009 2010
Selected Operating Data:
Digital frames in airports
Number of airports in operation
Number of digital frames in our network airports as of year end
Number of time slots available for sale(1)
Number of time slots sold(2)
Utilization rate(3)
Average advertising revenue per time slot sold(4)
Digital TV screens in airports
Number of airports in operation
Number of screens in our network airports as of year end
Number of time slots available for sale(5)
Number of time slots sold(2)
Utilization rate(3)
Average advertising revenue per time slot sold(4)
Digital TV screens on airplanes
Number of airlines in operation
Number of time slots available for sale(5)
Number of time slots sold(2)
Utilization rate(3)
Average advertising revenue per time slot sold(4)
Traditional media in airports
Numbers of locations available for sale(6)
Numbers of locations sold(7)
Utilization rate(8)
Average advertising revenue per location(9)
(1)
31
3,056
22
2,156
34
3,466
48,570 109,455 132,340
9,559 26,983 46,887
19.7% 24.7% 35.4%
$ 4,709 $ 2,455 $ 2,414
41
2,854
40
2,231
38
2,215
100,624 102,322 94,050
27,223 23,911 26,216
27.1% 23.4% 27.9%
$ 1,748 $ 1,558 $ 1,103
9
1,908
838
9
1,878
962
9
1,646
1,203
51.2% 43.9% 73.1%
19,992 20,384 22,913
2,887
—
—
1,833
— 35.7% 63.5%
— $ 21,394 $ 26,415
We define a time slot for digital frames as a 12-second equivalent advertising time unit for digital frames in airports, which is shown during each
standard advertising cycle on a weekly basis in a given airport. Our standard airport advertising programs are shown repeatedly on a daily basis during
a given week in 10-minute cycles, which allows us to sell a maximum of 50 time slots per week.
3,564
1,271
$
52
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
The length of time slot and advertising program cycle of some digital frames in several airports are different from the standard ones. The number of
time slots available for our digital frames in airports during the period presented is calculated by multiplying the number of time slots per week per
airport by the number of weeks during the period presented when we had operations in each airport and then calculating the sum of all the time slots
available for each of our network airports.
Number of time slots for digital frames, digital TV screens in airports or digital TV screens on airplanes sold refers to the number of 12-second
equivalent advertising time units for digital frames in airports or 30-second equivalent advertising time units for digital TV screens in airports and
digital TV screens on airplanes sold during the period presented.
Utilization rate refers to total time slots for digital frames in airports, digital TV screens in airports and digital TV screens on airplanes sold as a
percentage of total time slots available for sale during the relevant period.
Average advertising revenue per time slot sold for digital TV screens in airports, digital TV screens on airplanes and digital frames in airports is
calculated by dividing our revenues derived from digital frames in airports, digital TV screens in airports and digital TV screens on airplanes by its
own number of time slots sold, respectively.
We define a time slot for digital TV screens as a 30-second equivalent advertising time unit for digital TV screens in airports and digital TV screens
on airplanes, which is shown during each advertising cycle on a weekly basis in a given airport or on a monthly basis on the routes of a given airline,
respectively. Our airport advertising programs are shown repeatedly on a daily basis during a given week in one-hour cycles and each hour of
programming includes 25 minutes of advertising content, which allows us to sell a maximum of 50 time slots per week. The number of time slots
available for our digital TV screens in airports during the period presented is calculated by multiplying the number of time slots per week per airport
by the number of weeks during the period presented when we had operations in each airport and then calculating the sum of all the time slots available
for each of our network airports. The length of our in-flight programs typically ranges from approximately 45 minutes to an hour per flight,
approximately five to 13 minutes of which consist of advertising content. The number of time slots available for our digital TV screens on airplanes
during the period presented is calculated by multiplying the time slots per airline per month by the number of months during the period presented
when we had operations on each airline and then calculating the sum of all the time slots for each of our network airlines.
We define the number of locations available for sale in traditional media as the sum of (1) the number of light boxes and billboards in Beijing,
Shenzhen, Wenzhou and certain other airports, and (2) the number of gate bridges in airports where we have concession rights to place advertisements
on gate bridges.
Number of locations sold is defined as the sum of (1) the number of light boxes and billboards sold and (2) the number of gate bridges sold. To
calculate the number of light boxes and billboards sold in a given airport, we first calculate the "utilization rates of light boxes and billboards" in such
airport by dividing the "total value of light boxes and billboards sold" in such airport by the "total value of light boxes and billboards" in such airport.
The "total value of light boxes and billboards sold" in a given airport is calculated as the respective daily listing prices of light boxes and billboards
sold multiplied by their respective number of days sold during the period presented. The "total value of light boxes and billboards" in a given airport is
calculated as the sum of listing prices of all the light boxes and billboards during the period presented. The number of light boxes and billboards sold
in a given airport is then calculated as the number of light boxes and billboards available for sale in such airport multiplied by the utilization rates of
light boxes and billboards in such airport. The number of gate bridges sold in a given airport is counted based on the contracts.
Utilization rate for traditional media in airports refers to total locations sold as a percentage of total locations available for sale during the period
presented.
Average advertising revenue per location sold is calculated by dividing the revenues derived from all the locations sold by the number of locations
sold during the period presented.
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
Net Revenues. Our net revenues increased by 54.3% from $149.4 million in 2009 to $230.5 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to revenue
increase in all business sections. In addition, AM Outdoor, which was acquired by our variable interest entity AM Advertising in January 2010, contributed
$13.9 million in 2010.
Revenues from digital frames in airports: Revenues from digital frames in airports for fiscal year 2010 increased by 70.8% from $66.3 million in 2009 to
$113.2 million in 2010 due to an increase in the number of time slots sold.
We expanded our digital frame network coverage from 31 airports as of December 31, 2009 to 34 airports as of December 31, 2010. As a result, the number
of digital frames advertising time slots available for sale in airports increased by 20.9% from 109,455 in 2009 to 132,340 in 2010, and the number of time
slots sold increased by 73.8% from 26,983 in 2009 to 46,887 in 2010 due to continued sales efforts and growing acceptance of our digital frames by
advertisers. Our utilization rate for digital frames in airports increased from 24.7% in 2009 to 35.4% in 2010 due to the increase in the number of time slots
sold, which was offset by the increase in the number of time slots available for sale. The average selling price of digital frames, however, decreased by 1.7%
from $2,455 in 2009 to $2,414 in 2010 due to changes in the mix of time slots sold. The number of time slots sold in the airports other than the Beijing Capital
International Airport, which have significantly lower average selling price than those sold in the Beijing Capital International Airport, accounted for a higher
percentage of the total number of time slots sold in 2010 than in 2009 due to sales ramp-up in other airports.
53
Revenues from digital TV screens in airports: Revenues from digital TV screens in airports decreased by 22.4% to $28.9 million in 2010 from $37.3 million
in 2009 due to a decrease in the average selling price of digital TV screens in airports, which was partially offset by an increase in the number of time slots
sold.
The number of time slots sold for 2010 increased by 9.6% to 26,216 time slots primarily due to continued sales efforts. The number of time slots available for
sale for 2010 decreased by 8.1% year-over-year to 94,050 time slots in 2010 due to the termination of operation of digital TV screens in certain second-tier
and third-tier airports. Utilization rate of digital TV screens in airports for fiscal year 2010 increased to 27.9% from 23.4% in 2009 primarily due to the
decrease in the number of time slots available for sale and the increase in the number of time slots sold. The average selling price of digital TV screens in
airports decreased by 29.2% to $1,103 in 2010 from $1,558 in 2009 primarily due to higher discounts offered in 2010.
Revenues from digital TV screens on airplanes: Revenues from digital TV screens on airplanes increased by 61.4% to $27.6 million in 2010 from $17.1
million primarily due to increases in both the number of time slots sold and the average selling price of digital TV screens on airplanes.
The number of time slots sold increased by 43.6% to 1,203 time slots in 2010 from 838 time slots in 2009 due to continued sales efforts. The number of time
slots available for sale decreased by 13.7% to 1,646 time slots in 2010 from 1,908 time slots in 2009 primarily due to the termination of our operation of
digital TV screens on the airplanes of China United Airlines and less advertising time on Air China's airplanes. Utilization rate increased to 73.1% in 2010
from 43.9% in 2009 due to the increase in the number of time slots sold and the decrease in the number of time slots available for sale. The average selling
price of digital TV screens on airplanes increased by 12.4% to $22,913 in 2010 from $20,384 in 2009 due to lower discounts offered and the increase in the
listing prices of digital TV screens on Air China's airplanes.
Revenues from traditional media in airports: Revenues from traditional media in airports increased by 78.1% to $48.4 million in 2010 from $27.2 million in
2009. The increase was primarily due to increases in both the number of locations sold and the average selling price of traditional media in airports.
The number of locations sold increased by 44.2% to 1,833 locations in 2010 from 1,271 in 2009. The number of locations available decreased by 19.0% to
2,887 locations in 2010 from 3,564 in 2009 because AirMedia terminated the operation of certain unprofitable traditional media in Beijing Capital
International Airport as well as billboards and painted advertisements on gate bridges in certain airports in the first quarter of 2010. The utilization rate of
traditional media increased to 63.5% in 2010 from 35.7% in 2009 mainly due to the increase in the number of locations sold and the decrease in the number of
locations available for sale. The average selling price of traditional media in airports increased by 23.5% to $26,415 in 2010 from $21,394 due to lower
discounts offered in 2010 than in 2009 and more locations with higher listing prices sold in 2010 than in 2009.
Revenues from the gas station media network: Revenues from the gas station media network increased by 3,492.2% to $3.7 million. The increase was
primarily due to the growing acceptance of our gas station media network by our advertisers and our continued sales efforts.
Revenues from other media: Revenues from other media were primarily revenues from AM Outdoor which was acquired by our variable interest entity, AM
Advertising, in January 2010. Revenues from other media for fiscal year 2010 were $10.7 million.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 34.1% from $147.5 million in 2009 to $197.9 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to the
increases in concession fees and other components of cost of revenues. Our cost of revenues as a percentage of our total net revenues decreased from 98.7% in
2009 to 85.9% in 2010. Concession fees increased 22.0% from $110.1 million in 2009 to $134.3 million in 2010 due to additional new concession contracts
signed in 2010. Concession fees as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 73.7% in 2009 to 58.3% in 2010 primarily due to the fact that revenues
continued to ramp up while incremental concession fees grew at a slower pace than revenue growth.
54
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses decreased by 9.5% from $48.4 million in 2009 to $43.8 million in 2010. Our total operating expenses in 2009
included share-based compensation expenses of $5.8 million while our total operating expenses in 2010 included share-based compensation expenses of $8.0
million.
• Selling and Marketing Expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses increased by 34.8% from $13.4 million (including $1.5 million of share-based
compensation expenses) in 2009 to $18.1 million in 2010 (including $2.4 million of share-based compensation expenses). This increase was primarily
due to higher expenses related to expansion of the direct sales force, increased share-based compensation expenses and higher expenses related to the
expansion of the gas station media network.
• General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses decreased by 29.5% from $34.9 million (including $4.2 million of
share-based compensation expenses) in 2009 to $24.6 million (including $5.5 million of share-based compensation expenses) in 2010, primarily due to
lower bad-debt provisions in fiscal year 2010 than in fiscal year 2009. We recorded a $2.2 million bad-debt provision in 2010 as compared to $13.6
million in 2009. In response to significant budget cuts by multinational corporation advertisers in 2009, we provided services to some new, smaller
domestic advertising agencies in 2009, which resulted in significant increase in our doubtful accounts.
Loss from Operations. We recorded a net loss from operations of $11.2 million in 2010, as compared to a net loss from operations of $46.5 million in 2009 as
a cumulative result of the above factors. Excluding non-cash share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired amortization of acquired
intangible assets, our net income from operations was $559,000 in 2010.
Income Taxes. We recorded $735,000 of income tax benefits in 2010 as compared to income tax benefits of $6.0 million in 2009. We had $6.0 million of tax
benefit in 2009 largely resulting from net operating losses incurred in 2009. Since some of our subsidiaries started to become profitable from the second half
of 2010, some of net operating losses were utilized, which resulted that less deferred tax assets were recognized at December 31, 2010 and led to the decrease
of income tax benefits in 2010. Our effective income tax rate decreased to 8.5% in 2010 from 14% in 2009.
Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. We recorded $2.7 million in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2010, as compared
to $211,000 in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2009. The non-controlling interest primarily refers to other shareholders' minority equity
interests in Flying Dragon, Beijing AirMedia Jinshi Advertising Co., Ltd., and Dongding, each majority owned by a variable interest entity.
Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to AirMedia's Shareholders. As a result of the foregoing, we had net loss attributable to our shareholders of $4.9 million in
2010, as compared to $37.2 million in 2009.
Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
Net Revenues. Our net revenues increased by 25.1% from $119.4 million in 2008 to $149.4 million in 2009. The increase was primarily due to (1) a
significant increase in revenues generated from the sale of advertising time slots of our digital frames in airports from $45.0 million in 2008 to $66.3 million
in 2009 and (2) a significant increase in revenues generated from the sale of traditional media in airports from $6.5 million in 2008 to $27.2 million in 2009.
These increases were partially offset by (1) a decrease in revenues generated from the sale of our digital TV screens in airports from $47.6 million in 2008 to
$37.3 million in 2009 and (2) a decrease in revenues generated from the sale of the digital TV screens on airplanes from $19.2 million in 2008 to $17.1
million in 2009.
The increases in revenues generated from sale of our digital frames and sale of traditional media in airports were due in large part to (1) the expansion of our
digital frames network, (2) the increase in time slots sold for digital frames in airports, partly offset by the decrease in average selling prices per time slot sold
and (3) commencement of traditional media offerings in various airports during 2009. We expanded our digital frame network coverage from 22 airports as of
December 31, 2008 to 31 airports as of December 31, 2009. As a result, the number of digital frames advertising time slots available for sale in airports
increased by 125.4% from 48,570 in 2008 to 109,455 in 2009, and the number of time slots sold increased by 182.3% from 9,559 in 2008 to 26,983 in 2009
due to continued sales efforts and growing acceptance of our digital frames by advertisers. Our utilization rate for digital frames in airports increased from
19.7% in 2008 to 24.7% in 2009. The average selling price of digital frames, however, decreased by 47.9% from $4,709 in 2008 to $2,455 in 2009 due to
changes in the mix of time slots sold as well as higher discounts offered in 2009 than in 2008. Beijing Capital International Airport, which has significantly
higher average selling price of digital frames than other airports, accounted for a lower percentage of the total number of time slots sold in 2009 than in 2008.
In 2009, our traditional media offering expanded significantly with 3,564 locations available in 2009, as the traditional media in Beijing and Shenzhen airports
commenced operations in April 2009, and the traditional media in Wenzhou airport operated for the full year 2009.
55
The decreases in revenues generated from the sale of advertising time slots of our digital TV screens in airports and on airplanes were due in large part to (1)
the decreases in time slots sold for digital TV screens in airports and on airplanes and (2) the decrease in average selling price per slot of digital TV screens in
airports due to higher discounts offered during the year. The number of time slots sold for digital TV screens in airports decreased by 12.2% from 27,223 in
2008 to 23,911 in 2009 and for digital TV screens on airlines, decreased by 12.9% from 962 in 2008 to 838 in 2009. These decreases are primarily due to the
advertisers shifting their budget allocations from our digital TV screens to our other products, particularly digital frames in airports. Primarily due to the
decrease in number of time slots sold, our utilization rate decreased from 27.1% in 2008 to 23.4% in 2009 for digital TV screens in airports, and from 51.2%
in 2008 to 43.9% in 2009 for digital TV screens on airplanes. Average selling price per time slot sold for digital TV screens in our network airports decreased
by 10.9% from $1,748 in 2008 to $1,558 in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to higher discounts offered in 2009. For digital TV screens on airplanes, the
average selling price per time slot sold increased by 2.0% from $19,992 in 2008 to $20,384 in 2009 primarily due to the changes in the mix of time slots sold
as larger airlines, which have higher selling price per time slot, took up a slightly larger percentage of our sales in 2009 than in 2008.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 107.8% from $71.0 million in 2008 to $147.5 million in 2009. The increase was primarily due to the
increases in concession fees and other components of cost of revenues. Our cost of revenues as a percentage of our total net revenues increased from 59.4% in
2008 to 98.7% in 2009. Concession fees increased 140.8% from $45.7 million in 2008 to $110.1 million due to additional new concession contracts signed in
2009. Concession fees as a percentage of net revenues increased from 38.3% in 2008 to 73.7% in 2009 because concession fees were fixed once concession
rights contracts were entered into while newly signed concession rights contracts generally take some time before generating significant amounts of revenues.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses increased by 97.1% from $24.5 million in 2008 to $48.4 million in 2009. Our total operating expenses in 2008
included share-based compensation expenses of $5.0 million while our total operating expenses in 2009 included share-based compensation expenses of $5.8
million.
• Selling and Marketing Expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses increased by 32.1% from $10.2 million in 2008 to $13.4 million in 2009. This
increase was primarily due to the expansion of the direct sales force and increased share-based compensation expenses.
• General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 143.0% from $14.4 million in 2008 to $34.9 million in
2009, primarily due to higher bad-debt provisions, increased amortization of acquired intangible assets, headcount increase, increased expenses of
office and utilities, and increased share-based compensation expenses. We recorded a $13.6 million bad-debt provision in 2009, compared with $1.0
million in 2008. In response to significant budget cuts by multinational corporation advertisers in 2009, we provided services to some new, smaller
domestic advertising agencies and domestic as in 2009, which resulted in significant increase in our doubtful accounts.
Income/(Loss) from Operations. We recorded a loss from operations of $46.5 million in 2009, as compared to $23.9 million of income from operations in
2008 as a cumulative result of the above factors.
Income Taxes. We recorded $6.0 million of income tax benefits in 2009 compared to income tax benefits of $498,000 in 2008. This is primarily due to the
preferential PRC enterprise income tax treatments enjoyed by our PRC subsidiaries. Our effective income tax rate significantly increased to 14% in 2009 from
(1.6)% in 2008 as a result of three major drivers.
Firstly, various preferential tax treatments of our PRC entities are being reduced over time. AM Technology has qualified as a HNTE and is registered and
operates in the Beijing New Technology Industry Development Zone. As a result, it was entitled to a three-year exemption from EIT from 2006 to 2008 and a
preferential EIT at the rate of 7.5% in 2009 and 2010. AM Technology is expected to continue to be subject to an EIT rate of 7.5% in 2011, but may be
subject to a preferential EIT of 15% thereafter as long as it maintains its status as a HNTE. Xi'an AM was designated as a "software enterprise" in August
2008 by the Technology Information Bureau of Shaanxi Province and has received the written notice from Xi'an local tax bureau that it will be granted a two-
year exemption from EIT commencing on its first profitable year and a 50% deduction of the 25% EIT rate for the succeeding three years. Shenzhen AM
received written approval from local governments in May 2009 that granted it a two-year exemption from EIT in 2008 and 2009, and preferential EIT at the
rates of 11%, 12% and 12.5% for 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Hainan Jinhui is subject to EIT on the taxable income at the gradual rate, which is 18%
in 2008 and 20% in 2009, and will be 22% in 2010, 24% in 2011, 25% in 2012 according to Circular 39.
56
Secondly, a greater part of our net income/(loss) was in the entities subject to the full 25% income tax rate in 2009.
Finally, we did not fully recognize the tax benefits of our operating losses in 2009 because we recognized $4.7 million of valuation allowance in 2009 against
the deferred tax assets based our estimates of the future taxable income of relevant entities in the next five years.
Net Income/(Loss) of Equity Method Investments. We recorded $164,000 in net income of equity method investments in 2009, as compared to $325,000 in net
loss of equity method investments in 2008. For most of 2008, we held a 51% equity interest in Beijing Aiyike Information Technology Ltd., or Beijing
Aiyike, which was 49% owned by various minority equity owners that had substantive participating rights in making major operating decisions for Beijing
Aiyike. Thus our 51% equity interest in Beijing Aiyike was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We sold our equity interest in Beijing
Aiyike in November 2008 to a third party and recorded a net loss of equity accounting investment for the year 2008. During 2009, our 49% holdings in
BEMC, our joint venture with China Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd., generated more income during the year, resulting in net income of equity accounting
investment for 2009.
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. We recorded $211,000 in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2009, as compared to
$382,000 in 2008. The non-controlling interest primarily refers to other shareholders' minority equity interests in Flying Dragon and Beijing AirMedia Jinshi
Advertising Co., Ltd., each majority owned by a variable interest entity.
Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to Shareholders. As a result of the foregoing, we had net loss attributable to our shareholders of $37.2 million in 2009, as
compared to our net income of $30.2 million in 2008.
Share-based Compensation
On July 2, 2007, our Board of Directors adopted the 2007 share incentive plan (the "2007 Option Plan") , which allows the Company to grant options to its
employees and directors to purchase up to 12,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company subject to vesting requirement. On December 29, 2008, our Board of
Directors amended 2007 Option Plan to allow the Company to grant options to its employees and directors to purchase up to 17,000,000 ordinary shares. On
July 2, 2007, we awarded options to our four senior executives (the "Senior Executive Options") and certain other officers and employees (the "Employee
Options") to purchase an aggregate of 4,600,000 and 3,125,000 ordinary shares, respectively, with a contractual term of 10 years, at an exercise price of $2.00
per share. One twelfth of the Senior Executive Options vests each quarter until July 2, 2010.
On July 20, 2007, our Board of Directors decided to remove the vesting clause that the vesting of the Employee Options is subject to management's
determination on whether the grantee passes the evaluation of the performance of each vesting period. After this modification, the vesting of these Employee
Options is only subject to continuing services and one twelfth of the Employee Options vested each quarter until July 20, 2010. As a result, July 20, 2007 was
treated as the grant date of these Employee Options.
On July 20, 2007, our Board of Directors also granted options to certain consultants (the "Consultant Options") to purchase an aggregate of 340,000 ordinary
shares of the Company at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. The term of these options is 10 years. The Consultant Options have the same vesting schedule
with the Employee Options.
On November 29, 2007, our Board of Directors granted options to our non-employee directors (the "November 2007 Options"), employees and consultants to
purchase an aggregate of 2,330,000 ordinary shares of the Company, at an exercise price of $8.50 per share. The term of these options is 5 years. One twelfth
of the November 2007 Options vested each quarter until November 29, 2010.
On December 10, 2008, our Board of Directors voted to adjust the exercise price of the November 2007 Options from $8.50 per share to $2.98 per share. The
fair value of the options on December 10, 2008, the modification date, was $1.38 per option calculated using the Black-Scholes model based on the closing
market price of our ordinary shares on that date. The incremental compensation cost of the re-priced options was $1,727, with a total of $626 recognized as
compensation cost during 2008, and $1,101 recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period.
57
On July 10, 2009, our Board of Directors granted options to our non-employee directors, employees and consultants (the "2009 Options") to purchase an
aggregate of 5,434,500 ordinary shares of the Company, at an exercise price of $2.69 per share. The term of these options is of 5 years. One twelfth of the
Options will vest each quarter until July 10, 2012.
On June 30, 2010, our Board of Directors voted to adjust the exercise price of the stock options which were granted on July 2, 2007, July 20, 2007, November
29, 2007 and July 10, 2009 from $2.00, $2.00, $2.98 and $2.69 per share, respectively, to $1.57 per share. The fair value of the options on June 30, 2010, the
modification date, was $0.47, $0.47, $0.51, $0.70 per option, respectively, calculated using the Black-Scholes model based on the closing market price of our
ordinary shares on that date. The incremental compensation cost of the re-priced options was $2,666, with a total of $2,018 recognized as compensation cost
during 2010, and $648 to be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period.
The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant/modification using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
We recorded share-based compensation of $5.0 million, $5.8 million and $8.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Inflation
In recent years, China has not experienced significant inflation, and thus historically inflation has not had a significant effect on our business. According to the
National Bureau of Statistics of China, the change in the Consumer Price Index in China was 5.9%, -0.7% and 3.3% in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010,
respectively.
Although inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the
future by potentially higher rates of inflation in China. For example, certain operating costs and expenses, such as employee compensation and office
operating expenses, may increase as a result of higher inflation. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our assets consists of cash and short-term
investments, high inflation could significantly reduce the value and purchasing power of these assets. We are not able to hedge our exposure to higher
inflation in China.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
To date, we have financed our operations primarily through internally generated cash, the sale of preferred shares in private placements and the proceeds we
received from our initial public offering. As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately $106.5 million in cash. We generally deposit our excess cash in
interest bearing bank accounts. Although we consolidate the results of our variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements, we can only
receive cash payments from them pursuant to our contractual arrangements with them and their shareholders. See Item 4, "Information on the Company — C.
Organizational Structure." Our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2010 included $32.6 million billed receivable and $29.9 million unbilled receivable.
Unbilled receivable represents amounts earned under advertising contracts in progress but not billed as of December 31, 2010. We intend to maintain our
current policies for collections of accounts receivable, which typically provide a credit period no longer than 120 days following the advertisement is
displayed, and expect our accounts receivable to increase as a result of the increase in our advertising service revenues.
Our principal uses of cash primarily include capital expenditures, contractual concession fees, business acquisitions and other investments and, to a lesser
extent, salaries and benefits for our employees and other operating expenses. We expect that these will remain our principal uses of cash in the foreseeable
future. We may also use additional cash to fund strategic acquisitions.
Cash Flow
The following table shows our cash flows with respect to operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the years ended December 31,
2008, 2009 and 2010:
58
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes
Net decrease in cash
Cash at the beginning of the period
Cash at the end of the period
Operating Activities
Year Ended December31,
2008 2009 2010
$ 3,586 $ 8,858 $ 10,626
(56,692) (42,644) (30,368)
72
2,421
(49,381) (37,780) (19,670)
210,915 161,534 123,754
161,534 123,754 106,505
(3,913)
(81)
789
2,936
Net cash provided by operating activities was $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This was primarily attributable to (1) certain non-cash
expenses that did not result in cash outflow, principally depreciation and amortization of $23.5 million, allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.2 million and
share-based compensation of $8.0 million, (2) a decrease of $21.1 million in accounts receivable, and (3) a decrease of $3.9 million in prepaid concession fees
under our concession rights contracts with the airports and airlines.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This was primarily attributable to (1) certain non-cash
expenses that did not result in cash outflow, principally depreciation and amortization of $16.5 million, allowance for doubtful accounts of $13.6 million and
share-based compensation of $5.8 million, (2) a decrease of $17.2 million in prepaid concession fees under our concession rights contracts with the airports
and airlines, (3) an increase of $14.2 million in accounts payable primarily consisting of the concession fees payable under our concession rights contracts due
to the expansion of our network coverage and increased number of concession rights contracts, and (4) an increase of $6.5 million in deferred revenue
primarily due to the strengthening of controls for advances received before offering advertisements to our new and renewal advertisers. The foregoing was
partly offset by (1) a net loss of $37.0 million, (2) an increase of $18.2 million in accounts receivable from our advertisers due to our increased sales, and (3)
an increase of $7.0 million in deferred tax assets (liabilities), net, which negatively affected operating cash flow.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This was primarily attributable to (1) our net income of
$30.6 million from the operation of our advertising networks and (2) an increase of $10.6 million in accounts payable primarily consisting of the concession
fees payable under our concession rights contracts for our digital frames, digital TV screens or programs due to the expansion of our network coverage and
increased number of concession rights contracts. The foregoing was partly offset by (1) an increase of $24.4 million in accounts receivable from our
advertisers due to our increased sales, (2) an increase of $15.9 million in prepaid concession fees under our concession rights contracts with the airports and
airlines, and (3) an increase of $8.9 million in long-term deposits primarily as security for office rental deposits.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $30.4 million, mainly as a result of (1) $17.2 million for business
acquisition, (2) $5.3 million for investment restricted cash, and (3) our purchase of equipment and gas station construction for $8.9 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $42.6 million, mainly as a result of (1) our purchases of equipment,
primarily digital frames and digital TV screens for $28.7 million, (2) $6.2 million for business acquisition and purchase of intangible assets, (3) $5.6 million
for loan to AM Outdoor, a company our variable interest entity AM Advertising acquired in the first quarter of 2010 and (4) $1.4 million for investment
restricted cash, which are payment deposits to banks as a condition for helping us guarantee our performance of maintenance tasks as required under our
concession rights agreements with certain airports.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $56.7 million, mainly as a result of (1) our purchases of equipment,
primarily digital frames and digital TV screens for $50.4 million, and (2) $6.3 million for the advance payment of contingent considerations in connection
with our acquisition of the airport gate bridge advertising business.
59
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $72,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, as a result of $1.1 million for dividend payment to
former shareholder of AM Outdoor, which was offset by $1.2 million in proceeds from stock option exercise.
Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, as a result of (1) $7.4 million for share repurchases,
offset by (1) $2.2 million in proceeds from capital contribution from noncontrolling interests in the incorporation of Beijing AirMedia Jinshi Advertising Co.,
Ltd. and (2) $1.3 million in proceeds from stock option exercise.
Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $789,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, as a result of the proceeds from stock option
exercises.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures were made primarily to purchase digital TV screens, digital frames and associated equipment for our network, including network
construction for our gas station media network. We also exchange advertising time slots with other entities for digital TV screens, other equipment and office
rental through barter transactions mainly during 2008.
Our capital expenditures were $28.7 million and $8.9 million in 2009 and 2010, respectively. We expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $15.0
million in 2011 primarily to construct in our gas station media network and to purchase additional digital frames and install more light boxes and billboards.
We believe that our current cash and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for
capital expenditures for the next 12 months. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments,
including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell
additional equity securities, debt securities or borrow from lending institutions.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In October 2009, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement regarding revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. This pronouncement was
issued in response to practice concerns related to accounting for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables under the existing pronouncement. Although
the new pronouncement retains the criteria from the existing pronouncement for when delivered items in a multiple-deliverable arrangement should be
considered separate units of accounting, it removes the separation criterion under the existing pronouncement that objective and reliable evidence of the fair
value of any undelivered items must exist for the delivered items to be considered a separate unit or separate units of accounting. The new pronouncement is
effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Entities can elect to apply this pronouncement prospectively to new or materially modified
arrangements after the pronouncement's effective date or retrospectively for all periods presented. Early application is permitted; however, if the entity elects
prospective application and early adopts this pronouncement after its first interim reporting period, it must also retrospectively apply this pronouncement as of
the beginning of that fiscal year and disclose the effect of the retrospective adjustments on the prior interim periods' revenue, income before taxes, net income,
and net income/(loss) per share. The Group is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this pronouncement.
In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to improve disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance amends previous guidance on
fair value measurements to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases,
sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurement on a gross basis rather than on a net basis as currently required. This guidance also clarifies
existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This guidance is
effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activities of purchases, sales,
issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Early application is
permitted and, in the period of initial adoption, entities are not required to provide the amended disclosures for any previous periods presented for comparative
purposes. The Group does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
60
In April 2010, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement regarding milestone method of revenue recognition. The scope of this pronouncement is
limited to arrangements that include milestones relating to research or development deliverables. The pronouncement specifies guidance that must be met for
a vendor to recognize consideration that is contingent upon achievement of a substantive milestone in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is
achieved. The guidance applies to milestones in arrangements within the scope of this pronouncement regardless of whether the arrangement is determined to
have single or multiple deliverables or units of accounting. The pronouncement will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years,
beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early application is permitted. Companies can apply this guidance prospectively to milestones achieved after adoption.
However, retrospective application to all prior periods is also permitted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this
pronouncement.
In April 2010, FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement regarding the effect of denominating the exercise price of a share-based payment award in the
currency of the market in which the underlying equity securities trades and that currency is different from (1) entity's functional currency, (2) functional
currency of the foreign operation for which the employee provides services, and (3) payroll currency of the employee. The guidance clarifies that an employee
share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity's equity securities
trades should be considered an equity award assuming all other criteria for equity classification are met. The pronouncement will be effective for interim and
annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010, and will be applied prospectively. Affected entities will be required to record a cumulative catch-up
adjustment for all awards outstanding as of the beginning of the annual period in which the guidance is adopted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the
effect of adoption of this pronouncement.
In December 2010, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement on when to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero
or negative carrying amounts. The amendments in this update modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the
goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill
impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors
are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or
circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. For public entities, the guidance is
effective for impairment tests performed during entities' fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) that begin after December 15, 2010. Early
adoption will not be permitted. For nonpublic entities, the guidance is effective for impairment tests performed during entities' fiscal years (and interim
periods within those years) that begin after December 15, 2011. Early application for nonpublic entities is permitted; nonpublic entities that elect early
application will use the same effective date as that for public entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a significant
impact on its financial condition or results of operations
In December 2010, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement on disclosure of supplementary pro forma information for business combinations. The
objective of this guidance is to address diversity in practice regarding the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for
business combinations. The amendments in this update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose
revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of
the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature
and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable t the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and
earnings. The amendments affect any public entity as defined by Topic 805 that enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or
aggregate basis. The amendments will be effective for business combinations consummated in periods beginning after December 15, 2010, and should be
applied prospectively as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a
significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.
None.
D. Trend Information
61
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably
likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause
reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into
any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder's equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements.
Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk
support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us
or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
We have entered into operating lease agreements primarily for our office spaces in China. These leases expire through 2015 and are renewable upon
negotiation. In addition, the contract terms of our concession rights contracts are usually three to five years. Most of these concession rights expire through
2015 and are renewable upon negotiation. The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2010:
Payments Due by Period
Operating lease agreements$
2,664 $
Concession rights contracts 467,117
Total
2011
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)
1,807 $
156,669
2016 and
2012-2013 2014-2015 thereafter
690 $
175,649
167 $
94,262
_
40,537
Purchase obligations
Total
Other long-term liabilities, such as non-current deferred tax liabilities, have been excluded from the above table due to the uncertainty of the timing of
payments.
—
165,191 $ 176,339 $
6,780
$ 476,561 $
15
94,444 $
50
40,587
6,715
G. Safe Harbor
See the section headed "Forward-Looking Information."
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our directors and executive officers as of May 3, 2011.
NAME
Herman Man Guo
James Zhonghua Feng
Ping Sun
Qing Xu
Shichong Shan
Donglin Xia
Junjie Ding
Songzuo Xiang
Wei He
Mr. Herman Man Guo is our founder and has served as the chairman of our board of directors and our chief executive officer since our company's inception.
He was the general manager of Beijing Sunshine Media Co., Ltd. from 1997 to 2004. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Guo served as the deputy general manager of
Beijing Trade & Technology Development Company. Prior to that, he worked in China Civil Aviation Development Service Company from 1988 to 1990.
Mr. Guo received his bachelor's degree in applied mathematics from People's Liberation Army Information Engineering University in China in 1983 and an
Executive MBA degree from Peking University in China in 2011.
POSITION
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Director and Executive President
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Chief Public Relations Officer
AGE
48
40
45
50
80
50
47
46
36
62
Mr. James Zhonghua Feng has served as our chief operating officer since October 2005. Before joining us in 2005, he served as the general manager of New
Chang'an Media Advertising Company from 2004 to 2005. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Feng served as the deputy general manager of Beijing Tianzhi Creative
Advertising Company. Prior to that, he was the general manager of the Beijing and Shanghai branches of Shenzhen Nantong Umbrella Industry Group Co.,
Ltd. Mr. Feng received his bachelor's degree in Chinese literature from Sichuan Normal University in China in 1993 and an Executive MBA degree from
Peking University in China in 2009.
Ms. Ping Sun has served as the chief financial officer since February 1, 2011. Prior to joining our company, Ms. Sun founded Orilily LLC, an e-commerce
company, and served as its managing director from January 2007 to January 2011. Prior to that, Ms. Sun was a finance director of Kodak (China) Investment
Company Limited for Digital Capture & Home Printing, Greater Asia Region from January 2005 to December 2006. Prior to that, Ms. Sun worked in the
United States as a financial reporting director and financial analyst of Eastman Kodak Company from 1999 to 2004. Ms. Sun also worked at various positions
at China National Machine Tool Corporation from 1992 to 1997. Ms. Sun received an MBA from University of Rochester in New York and a Bachelor of
Engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Mr. Qing Xu has served as our director since October 2005 and as our executive president since June 2010. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Xu served as a vice
president of Zhongyuan Guoxin Investment Guarantee Co., Ltd. Prior to that, he served as a department director of China Haohua Group Co., Ltd. from 1997
to 2003 and as a department manager of Beijing Trade & Technology Development Company from 1991 to 1997. Mr. Xu was a secretary at the PRC State
Council Secretary Bureau from 1984 to 1991. Mr. Xu received his associate's degree in business and economics management from Beijing Normal University
in 1996.
Mr. Shichong Shan has served as our independent director since July 2007. Mr. Shan has retired since 1996. Before he retired, Mr. Shan had held a number of
senior executive positions in various government agencies and other organizations in the aviation industry in China, including the General Administration of
Civil Aviation of China. Mr. Shan attended the college program at the Eastern China Military and Politics Institute in China.
Dr. Donglin Xia has served as our independent director since October 2007. Dr. Xia is an accounting professor of the School of Economics and Management,
Tsinghua University. He is also an advisor to the Accounting Standard Committee of the Ministry of Finance in China and the deputy chairman of the Section
of Basic Accounting Theory of the Accounting Society of China. He served as the head of the accounting department at the School of Economics and
Management, Tsinghua University from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Xia currently serves on the board of Huaneng Power International, a power generation company in
China that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Shanghai Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Shantui Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.,
a construction equipment company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in China, and Xinxing Pipes Group, a company manufacturing ductile iron pipes
and steel listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in China. Dr. Xia received his Ph.D. degree in economics from the Research Institute of Fiscal Science of the
Ministry of Finance in China in 1994.
Dr. Junjie Ding has served as our independent director since November 2008. Dr. Ding is also an independent director of SinoMedia Holding Limited, a
media advertising operator in China that is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Dr. Ding is a vice president of the Communication University of China
and the deputy officer of the China Advertising Association of Commerce. With nearly 20 years of experience in the media and advertisement industry, Dr.
Ding is the editor of various periodicals, such as International Advertising and the Annual Book of Chinese Advertising Works. He received his Ph.D. degree
in communications in 2003 from the Communication University of China.
Dr. Songzuo Xiang has served as our independent director since November 2008. He currently serves on the board of China Digital TV Co. Ltd., a NYSE-
listed company providing conditional access systems to China's digital television market. Dr. Songzuo Xiang previously served as the Deputy Director of the
Fund Planning Department at the People's Bank of China Shenzhen Branch and was an investment manager at Shenzhen Resources & Property Development
Group. He was a visiting scholar at Columbia University from May 1999 to July 2000 and at Cambridge University from October 1998 to May 1999. Dr.
Xiang received his bachelor's degree in engineering in Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 1986, his master's degree in international affairs
from Columbia University in 1999, his master's degree in management science in 1993 and his Ph.D. degree in economics in 1993 from Renmin University in
China.
63
Ms. Wei He has served as our chief public relations officer since May 2006. Prior to joining our company, she worked as the deputy general manager of
Taixiang Investment Consulting Co. Ltd. from 2003 to 2006. Prior to this, she served as the director of the liaison department of Kelon Electrical Holdings
Company Ltd. from 2000 to 2002. She served as the account manager of Hong Kong Pengli Group from 1999 to 2000. She received her bachelor's degree
from Qufu Normal University in China in 1998 and her MBA degree from the City University of Washington in 2006.
No family relationship exists between any of our directors and executive officers. There are no arrangements or understandings with major shareholders,
customers, suppliers or others pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with all of our senior executive officers, namely Herman Man Guo, Ping Sun and James Zhonghua Feng.
Under these employment agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period, subject to automatic extension unless either we
or the executive officer gives a one-month prior notice to terminate such employment. We have also entered into employment agreements with our other
executive officers, including Wei He. Each of the contract terms was a period of two or three years. We may terminate the employment for causes, at any
time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the employee, including but not limited to a conviction or plea of guilty to certain crimes, negligence
or dishonesty to our detriment and failure to perform the agreed-to duties after a reasonable opportunity to cure the failure. An executive officer may terminate
his employment at any time without notice or penalty if there is a material reduction in his authority, duties and responsibilities or if there is a material
reduction in his annual salary before the next annual salary review. Furthermore, either we or an executive officer may terminate the employment at any time
without cause upon advance written notice to the other party. These agreements do not provide for any special termination benefits, nor do we have other
arrangements with these executive officers for special termination benefits.
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the employment agreement expires or is earlier terminated, in strict confidence and not to use,
except as required in the performance of his duties in connection with the employment, any confidential information, trade secrets and know-how of our
company or the confidential information of any third party, including our variable interest entities and our subsidiaries, received by us. In addition, each
executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition restrictions set forth in his or her employment agreement. Specifically, each executive officer has
agreed not to, for a period ranging from one to two years following the termination or expiration of the employment agreement, (i) carry on or be engaged or
interested, directly or indirectly, as shareholder, director, employee, partner, agent or otherwise carry on any business in direct competition with our business;
(ii) solicit or entice away from us, or attempt to solicit or entice away from us, any person or entity who has been our customer, client or our representative or
agent or in the habit of dealing with us within two years prior to such executive officer's termination of employment; (iii) solicit or entice away from us, or
attempt to solicit or entice away from us, any person or entity who has been our officer, manager, consultant or employee within two years prior to such
executive officer's termination of employment; or (iv) use a name including the word "AirMedia" or any other words used by us in our name or in the name of
any of our products or services, in such a way as to be capable of or likely to be confused with our name or the name of our products or services.
B. Compensation
In 2010, the aggregate cash compensation to our executive officers was approximately $598,000 and the aggregate cash compensation to our non-executive
directors was approximately $86,000. Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities are required by law to make contributions equal to
certain percentages of each employee's salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, housing fund, unemployment and other statutory benefits.
Other than the above-mentioned pension insurance mandated by applicable PRC law, we have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension,
retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers and directors. No executive officer is entitled to any severance benefits upon termination of his or
her employment with our company except as required under applicable PRC law.
Share Options
In July 2007, we adopted the 2007 Share Incentive Plan to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors
and consultants, and promote the success of our business. In December 2009, we amended the 2007 Share Incentive Plan by increasing the maximum
aggregate number of shares issuable under the plan. As of the date of this annual report, our board of directors has authorized the issuance of up to 17,000,000
ordinary shares upon the exercise of awards granted under our plan. As of December 31, 2010, options to purchase a total of 15,829,500 of our ordinary
shares have been granted and 13,740,480 options were outstanding. These options will vest on a straight-line basis over a three-year period, with one-twelfth
of the options vesting each quarter from the date of grant.
64
The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2010, the outstanding options granted to our executive officers, directors and to other individuals as a
group under our 2007 Share Incentive Plan, as amended.
Name
Herman Man Guo
Qing Xu
Ping Sun
Shichong Shan
Donglin Xia
Junjie Ding
Songzuo Xiang
James Zhonghua Feng
Wei He
Ordinary
Shares
Underlying
Options
Exercise
Price
(US$/Share)
2,000,000
*
*
*
*
*
*
625,514
150,000
110,000
840,000
*
*
*
3,720,484
2,128,002
4,393,500
140,000
600,000
1.57(1)
2.30
2.30
1.57 (1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
1.57(1)
2.30
1.57 (1)
1.57 (1)
1.57 (1)
2.30
2.30
Date of Grant
July 2, 2007
March 22, 2011
March 22, 2011
July 20, 2007
November 29, 2007
July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
July 2, 2007
July 20, 2007
November 29, 2007
July 10, 2009
July 20, 2007
July 10, 2009
March 22, 2011
July 20, 2007
November 29, 2007
July 10, 2009
March 22, 2011
March 22, 2011
Expiration Date
July 2, 2017
March 22, 2021
March 22, 2021
July 20, 2017
November 29, 2012
July 10, 2014
July 10, 2014
July 2, 2017
July 20, 2017
November 29, 2012
July 10, 2014
July 20, 2017
July 10, 2014
March 22, 2016
July 20, 2017
November 29, 2012
July 10, 2014
March 22, 2021
March 22, 2016
Other individuals as a group
Other individuals as a group
Other individuals as a group
Other individuals as a group
Other individuals as a group
* Aggregate beneficial ownership of our company by such officer or director is less than 1% of our total outstanding ordinary shares.
(1)
On December 10, 2008, to provide better incentive to our employees, our board of directors approved an adjustment to the exercise price of the stock
options previously granted on November 29, 2007. The exercise price of each option was originally $8.50 per ordinary share. The revised exercise
price for each option is $2.98 per ordinary share.
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of our 2007 Share Incentive Plan as currently in effect.
Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a committee designated by our board or directors, will administer the plan. The committee or the full board of
directors, as appropriate, will determine the provisions and terms and conditions of each option grant.
Award Agreements. Options and stock purchase rights granted under our plan are evidenced by a stock option agreement or a stock purchase right agreement,
as applicable, that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each grant. In addition, the stock option agreement and the stock purchase right
agreement also provide that securities granted are subject to a 180-day lock-up period following the effective date of a registration statement filed by us under
the Securities Act, if so requested by us or any representative of the underwriters in connection with any registration of the offering of any of our securities.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to our employees, directors and consultants or any of our related entities, which include our subsidiaries or any entities in
which we hold a substantial ownership interest.
Acceleration of Options upon Corporate Transactions. The outstanding options will terminate and accelerate upon occurrence of a change-of-control
corporate transaction where the successor entity does not assume our outstanding options under the plan. In such event, each outstanding option will become
fully vested and immediately exercisable, and the transfer restrictions on the awards will be released and the repurchase or forfeiture rights will terminate
immediately before the date of the change-of-control transaction provided that the grantee's continuous service with us shall not be terminated before that
date.
65
Exercise Price and Terms of the Options. The exercise price per share subject to an option may be amended or adjusted in the absolute discretion of the
compensation committee, the determination of which shall be final, binding and conclusive. To the extent not prohibited by applicable laws or exchange rules,
a repricing of options mentioned in the preceding sentence shall be effective without the approval of our shareholders or the approval of the optionees.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exercise price per share subject to an option shall not be increased without the approval of the affected optionees. If we
grant an option to an individual who, at the date of grant, possesses more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of our shares, the
exercise price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of that grant. The compensation committee shall determine
the time or times at which an option may be exercised in whole or in part, including exercise prior to vesting, and shall determine any conditions, if any, that
must be satisfied before all or part of an option may be exercised. The term of each option grant shall be stated in the stock option agreement, provided that
the term shall not exceed 10 years from the date of the grant.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines, or the stock option agreement specifies, the vesting schedule.
Transfer Restrictions. Options to purchase our ordinary shares may not be transferred in any manner by the optionee other than by will or the laws of
succession and may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee.
Termination of the Plan. Unless terminated earlier, the plan will expire and no further awards may be granted after July 2017. Our board of directors has the
authority to amend or terminate the plan subject to shareholder approval to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law. However, no such action may
(i) impair the rights of any optionee unless agreed by the optionee and the plan administrator or (ii) affect the plan administrator's ability to exercise the
powers granted to it under our plan.
C. Board Practices
Our board of directors currently consists of six directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in the company by way of qualification. A director may
vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement in which he is materially interested. A director may exercise all the powers of the
company to borrow money, mortgage its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or
as security for any obligation of the company or of any third party.
Board Committees
We have established two committees under the board of directors: the audit committee and the compensation committee. We currently do not plan to establish
a nominating committee. The independent directors of our company will select and recommend to the board for nomination by the board such candidates as
the independent directors, in the exercise of their judgment, have found to be well qualified and willing and available to serve as our directors prior to each
annual meeting of our shareholders at which our directors are to be elected or re-elected. In addition, our board of directors has resolved that director
nominations be approved by a majority of the board as well as a majority of the independent directors of the board. A majority of our board of directors are
independent directors. We have adopted a charter for each of the board committees. Each committee's members and responsibilities are described below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Messrs. Songzuo Xiang, Shichong Shan and Donglin Xia. Our board of directors has determined that
Messrs. Songzuo Xiang, Shichong Shan and Donglin Xia satisfy the "independence" requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act, as
amended, or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial
reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
• selecting the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;
•
•
• discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management's response;
reviewing and approving all proposed related-party transactions on an ongoing basis;
66
reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;
•
• annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter;
• other matters specifically delegated to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time;
• meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and
•
reporting regularly to the full board of directors.
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Messrs. Junjie Ding, Shichong Shan and Donglin Xia. Our board of directors has
determined that Messrs. Junjie Ding, Shichong Shan and Donglin Xia satisfy the "independence" requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Our compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation
structure of our directors and executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our directors and executive officers. Our chief
executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for,
among other things:
reviewing and recommending to the board with respect to the total compensation package for our four most senior executives;
•
• approving and overseeing the total compensation package for our executives other than the four most senior executives;
•
•
reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors; and
reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses,
employee pension and welfare benefit plans.
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also
have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and with such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable
circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association.
Terms of Directors and Officers
All directors hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. A director may only be removed by the shareholders. Officers are elected
by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
D. Employees
We had 564, 795 and 737 employees as of December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The following table sets forth the number of our employees by
area of business as of December 31, 2010
Number of
Employees
% of Total
Sales and Marketing Department
Quality Control and Technology Department
Programming Department
Resources Development Department
General Administrative and Accounting
Total
Generally we enter into standard employment contracts with our officers, managers and other employees. According to these contracts, all of our employees
are prohibited from engaging in any other employment during the period of their employment with us. The employment contracts with officers and managers
are subject to renewal every three years and the employment contracts with other employees are subject to renewal every year.
45.2
23.5
3.8
8.4
19.1
100
333
173
28
62
141
737
67
In addition, we enter into standard confidentiality agreements with all of our employees including officers and managers that prohibit any employee from
disclosing confidential information obtained during their employment with us. Furthermore, the confidentiality agreements include a covenant that prohibits
all employees from engaging in any activities that compete with our business up to two years after their employment with us terminates.
Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with our employees to be generally good.
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of May 3, 2011 by (i) each person who is known
by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our ordinary shares; (ii) by each of our officers and directors; and (iii) by all of our officers and directors as a
group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of the Company, 17/F, Sky Plaza, No. 46 Dongzhimenwai
Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100027, People's Republic of China.
Name and Address of Beneficial
Owner
Office, if any
Title of Class
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
% of
Class(2)
Herman Man Guo(3)
Ping Sun
Qing Xu(4)
Shichong Shan
Donglin Xia
Junjie Ding
Songzuo Xiang
James Zhonghua Feng (5)
Wei He
Officers and Directors
Chairman and CEO
Ordinary Shares
41,156,980
30.73%
CFO
Ordinary Shares
*
*
Director & Executive President
Ordinary Shares
5,600,560
4.24%
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary Shares
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Chief Operating Officer
Ordinary Shares
1,375,514
1.03%
Chief Public Relations Officer
Ordinary Shares
*
*
All officers and directors as a group (10 persons named above)
Ordinary Shares
48,512,152
35.74%
5% Security Holders
Ordinary Shares
29,156,980
22.10%
Ordinary Shares
10,000,000
7.58%
Wealthy Environment Limited(6)
P.O. Box 173, Kingston Chambers,
Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands
Global Earning Pacific Limited (7)
OMCChambers
Wickham Cay 1
Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands
* Less than 1%.
(1)
Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to
securities. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment
power with respect to our ordinary shares.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
A total of 131,930,761 of our ordinary shares as of May 3, 2011 are outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1). Ordinary shares that may be
acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of such date, pursuant to the exercise of warrants or options, are deemed to be outstanding for the
purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person shown in the above table.
Includes (i) 29,156,980 ordinary shares held by Wealthy Environment Limited, a BVI company wholly owned by Mr. Guo, (ii) 2,000,000 ordinary
shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Guo that are exercisable within 60 days and (iii) 10,000,000 ordinary shares held by Global
Earnings Pacific Limited, a BVI company wholly owned and controlled by Dan Shao, Mr. Guo's wife. Mr. Guo disclaims beneficial ownership of the
ordinary shares held by Global Earnings Pacific Limited.
Includes (i) 4,000,000 ordinary shares held by Mambo Fiesta Limited, a BVI company wholly owned by Mr. Xu, (ii) 1,550,560 ordinary shares held
by Mambo Fiesta Limited, in the form of ADSs and (iii) 50,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Xu that are exercisable
within 60 days.
Includes 1,375,514 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Feng that are exercisable within 60 days.
Wealthy Environment Limited, a company incorporated in BVI, is wholly owned and controlled by Herman Man Guo.
Global Earning Pacific Limited, a company incorporated in BVI, is wholly owned and controlled by Dan Shao, Mr. Herman Man Guo's wife.
68
None of our major shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date,
result in a change of control of our company.
As of May 3, 2011, 131,930,761 of our ordinary shares were issued and outstanding. To our knowledge, we had only one record shareholder in the United
States, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., which is the depositary of our ADS program and held approximately 67% of our total outstanding ordinary shares as of
May 3, 2011. The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our ordinary
shares in the United States.
For the options granted to our directors, officers and employees, please refer to "— B. Compensation — Share Options."
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to Item 6, "Directors, Senior Management and Employees — E. Share Ownership."
B. Related Party Transactions
Contractual Arrangements
Since December 10, 2005, foreign investors have been permitted to own directly a 100% interest in PRC advertising companies with at least three years of
direct operations outside of China. Although Air Media (China) Limited, our indirect wholly owned subsidiary and the 100% shareholder of AM Technology
and Xi'an AM, has been operating advertising business in Hong Kong since 2008, its operation experience is less than three years and is currently not
qualified under the PRC regulations to own a PRC advertising company. Accordingly, our domestic PRC subsidiaries, AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and
Xi'an AM, which are considered foreign-invested enterprises, are currently ineligible to operate a business with advertising as a part of its business scope in
China. Our advertising business is currently provided through contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities in China, principally
AM Advertising, certain of its subsidiaries, Shengshi Lianhe, AirMedia UC and AM Yuehang.
Our consolidated variable interest entities directly operate our advertising network, enter into concession rights contracts and sell advertising time slots and
advertising locations to our advertisers. We have been and are expected to continue to be dependent on our variable interest entities to operate our advertising
business until we qualify for direct ownership of an advertising business in China under the PRC laws and regulations and acquire our variable interest entities
as our direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries. AM Technology has entered into contractual arrangements with our variable interest entities, pursuant to which AM
Technology provides exclusive technology support and service and technology development services in exchange for payments from them. The payments to
AM Technology amounted to RMB303.8 million, RMB137.9 million and RMB92.6 million in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010,
respectively. In addition, AM Technology has entered into agreements with our variable interest entities and each of their shareholders, which provide AM
Technology with the substantial ability to control our variable interest entities. These agreements are summarized in the following paragraphs.
•
•
Technology support and service agreement: AM Technology provides exclusive technology supports and consulting services to the VIEs and VIEs
are required to pay AM Technology for the technical and consulting services they are provided. The VIEs pay to AM Technology annual service fees
in the amount that guarantee that the VIEs can achieve, after deducting such service fees payable to AM Technology, a net cost-plus rate of no less
than 0.5% in the case of AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe and AirMedia UC, or 1.0% in the case of AM Yuehang, which final rate should be
determined by AM Technology.
Technology development agreement: VIEs exclusively engage AM Technology to provide technology development services. AM Technology owns
the intellectual property rights developed in the performance of these agreements. The VIEs pay to AM Technology annual service fees in the amount
that guarantee that the VIEs can achieve, after deducting such service fees payable to AM Technology, a net cost-plus rate of no less than 0.5% in the
case of AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe and AirMedia UC, which final rate should be determined by AM Technology.
69
•
•
•
Call option agreement: Under the call option agreements, the shareholders of VIEs irrevocably granted AM Technology or its designated third party
an exclusive option to purchase from VIEs' shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all the equity interests in the VIEs, as the case may
be, for the minimum amount of consideration permitted by the applicable law without any other conditions. In addition, AM Technology will act as
guarantor of VIEs in all operation related contracts, agreements and transactions and commit to provide loans to support the business development
needs of VIEs or when the VIEs are suffering operating difficulties.
Equity pledge agreement: Under the equity pledge, the shareholders of the VIEs pledged all of their equity interests, including the right to receive
declared dividends, in the VIEs to AM Technology to guarantee VIEs' performance of its obligations under the technology support and service
agreement and the technology development agreement.
Authorization letter: Each shareholder of the VIEs has executed an authorization letter to authorize AM Technology to exercise certain of its rights,
including voting rights, the rights to enter into legal documents and the rights to transfer any or all of its equity interest in the VIEs. Such authorization
letters will remain effective during the operating periods of the VIEs.
Through the above contractual arrangements, AM Technology has obtained 100% of shareholders' voting interest in the VIEs, has the right to receive all
dividends declared and paid by the VIEs and may receive substantially all of the net income of the VIEs through the technical support and service fees as
determined by AM Technology. As a result, AM Technology receives substantially all of the VIEs' expected residual returns and holds variable interests in
the VIEs. Since AM Technology is the primary beneficiary of the VIE arrangement, the VIEs' financial position and financial results are consolidated in the
Company's financial statements.
Shenzhen AM has signed contractual agreements with one of our VIEs in China, AM Yuehang, pursuant to which Shenzhen AM provides exclusive
technology support services including the research and development of technologies related to AM Yuehang's business operation, the maintenance and
monitoring of displays and programming systems, research on the solution of technical problems, and other related technical support and services in exchange
for payments from AM Yuehang, which constitute Shenzhen AM's primary source of revenue.
Xi'an AM is a software company which primarily derives revenues from selling software it developed to AM Technology. AM Technology uses the software
it purchases from Xi'an AM to provide technology development and support services to other companies
Amounts Due to BEMC
We assigned concession rights of certain media resources to BEMC, our joint venture with China Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd. As of December 31, 2010
and 2009, we had $422,000 and $408,000 due to BEMC as the deposits received for publishing advertisement.
Amounts Due from AM Outdoor and BEMC
The amount due from AM Outdoor had a one year term with an annual interest rate of 5.31% . It was due on September 24, 2010 and was uncollateralized.
The interest income recorded for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $94,000.
Transactions with BEMC, AM Outdoor and Zhangshangtong Air Service (Beijing) Co., Ltd. ("Zhangshangtong")
In 2009, we earned $2.0 million and $412,000 of advertising revenue from BEMC and AM Outdoor, respectively. In 2010, we earned $3.6 million and
$92,000 of advertising revenue from BEMC and Zhangshangtong respectively, and paid $747,000 agency cost to BEMC.
Share Options
See Item 6, "Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation — Share Options."
70
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Financial Statements
We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report. See Item 18, "Financial Statements."
Legal Proceedings
Our PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entities have engaged in and may be subject to various legal proceedings relating to commercial arrangements and
other matters in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently not party to any legal or arbitration proceedings, including those relating to bankruptcy,
receivership or similar proceedings and those involving any third party, which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on our financial
position or profitability.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any dividends, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Our board of directors has complete discretion in deciding whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the timing,
amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and
surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed
relevant by our board of directors.
If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement,
including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
B. Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant change since the date of our audited consolidated financial
statements filed as part of this annual report.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and Listing Details
Our ADSs, each representing two of our ordinary shares, have been listed on the NASDAQ Global Market since November 7, 2007. Our ADSs trade under
the symbol "AMCN." The following table provides the high and low trading prices for our ADSs for the periods noted.
Annual Market Prices
Year 2007 (from November 7, 2007)
Year 2008
Year 2009
Year 2010
Year 2011 (through May 3, 2011)
Quarterly Market Prices
First Quarter 2009
Second Quarter 2009
Third Quarter 2009
Fourth Quarter 2009
First Quarter 2010
Second Quarter 2010
Third Quarter 2010
Fourth Quarter 2010
Monthly Market Prices
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011
February 2011
Mach 2011
April 2011
May 2011 (through May 3, 2011)
High
Low
$
$
26.51
9.26
8.90
7.60
6.08
8.10
8.38
9.26
8.90
6.61
5.99
8.24
7.87
8.24
7.65
7.60
7.48
6.64
5.64
4.80
3.85
3.80
2.83
4.33
3.80
4.18
5.19
6.55
5.62
3.12
2.83
5.21
5.21
6.26
5.92
6.60
6.54
4.37
4.33
4.36
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B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
See our disclosures above under "Offer and Listing Details."
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The following are summaries of material terms and provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law
(2010 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, or the Companies Law, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares. This summary is not
complete, and you should read our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which has been filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Form 6-K (File
No. 001-33765) filed with the SEC on December 9, 2009.
General
All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our
shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
72
Dividend Rights
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Law.
Voting Rights
Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show
of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by one or more shareholders holding together at least ten percent of the shares given a right to
vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy.
A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders holding not less than an aggregate of one-third of all voting share capital of the
Company in issue present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Shareholders' meetings may be held annually and may be convened by our board of
directors on its own initiative or upon a request to the directors by shareholders holding in aggregate at least one-third of our voting share capital. Advance
notice of at least fourteen days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a
general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast on a
general meeting. A special resolution is required for important matters such as a change of name. Holders of the ordinary shares may effect certain changes by
ordinary resolution, including altering the amount of our authorized share capital, consolidating or dividing all or any of our share capital into shares of larger
amount than our existing shares, and canceling any shares that are authorized but unissued.
Transfer of Shares
Subject to the restrictions of our articles of association, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an
instrument of transfer in writing and executed by or on behalf of the transferor, accompanied by the certificates of such shares and such other evidence as the
Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the shareholder to make the transfer.
Repurchase of Shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and our articles of association, our board of directors may authorize repurchase of our shares in accordance
with the manner of purchase specified in our articles of association without seeking shareholder approval.
Liquidation
On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of shares), assets available for distribution among the
holders of ordinary shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are
insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.
Variations of Rights of Shares
All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, be varied either with the written consent
of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares
of that class.
Inspection of Books and Records
Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate
records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.
73
See "— H. Documents on Display."
C. Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in Item 4, "Information on the
Company," Item 7, "Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions," or Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Contractual
Obligations," or filed (or incorporated by reference) as exhibits to this annual report or otherwise described or referenced in this annual report.
D. Exchange Controls
There are no material exchange controls restrictions on payment of dividends, interest or other payments to the holders of our ordinary shares or on the
conduct of our operations in the Cayman Islands, where we were incorporated. Cayman Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association do not
impose any material limitations on the right of nonresidents or foreign owners to hold or vote our ordinary.
See Item 4, "Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulation — Regulations on Foreign Exchange" for a description of PRC regulations
on foreign exchange.
E. Taxation
The following is a general summary of certain material Cayman Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations. This summary does not deal with all
possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. The
discussion is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal or tax advice to any particular prospective shareholder. The discussion is based on laws
and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly with retroactive
effect.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the
nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be payable unless an instrument is executed in, brought to or produced before a
court in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There
are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands
PRC Taxation
Under the EIT Law, foreign corporate shareholders and corporate ADSs holders may be subject to a 10% income tax upon the dividends payable by us or on
any gains they realize from the transfer of our shares or ADSs, if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise and such income is regarded as income from
"sources within the PRC." Given the fact that (i) the PRC tax law does not define what is "sources within the PRC", and (ii) whether we would be regarded as
"resident enterprise" is not clear; it is uncertain whether foreign corporate shareholders and corporate ADSs holders may be subject to a 10% income tax upon
the dividends payable by us or on any gains they realize from the transfer of our shares or ADSs. If we are required under the PRC tax law to withhold PRC
income tax on our dividends payable to our non-PRC corporate shareholders and ADS holders or if any gains of the transfer of their shares or ADSs are
subject to PRC tax, such holders' investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal tax consequences of the ownership of our ordinary shares and ADSs by U.S. Holders (as
described below). This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial
decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof. These laws are subject to change, and can change on a retroactive
basis. It does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person's situation. The
discussion applies to investors in ADSs or ordinary shares that hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets (generally property held for investment)
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to holders subject to special rules,
such as:
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financial institutions;
regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;
insurance companies;
•
• brokers;
• certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents;
•
•
• dealers and traders in securities or foreign currencies;
• persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a constructive sale, hedge, straddle, conversion or integrated transaction;
• persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
• partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
• persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
•
• persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares that own or are deemed to own 10% or more of our voting stock;
• persons who hold the ADSs or ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business outside the United States;
• persons who are not United States persons within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code; or
• persons who acquired ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation.
tax-exempt organizations;
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX
RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
THEM OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF ADSS OR ORDINARY SHARES.
For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of ADSs or ordinary shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is: a citizen
or resident of the United States; a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia; an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of its source; or a trust that (1) is
subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of
the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person . This discussion assumes that we are not,
and will not become, a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as described below.
If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership that holds ADSs or ordinary shares, your tax treatment generally will depend on
your status and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership that holds ADSs or ordinary shares,
you should consult your own tax advisors.
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any
related agreement will be complied with in accordance with their terms. If you hold ADSs, you generally will be treated as the holder of the underlying
ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Exchanges of ordinary shares for ADSs and ADSs for ordinary shares
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws and other
tax considerations of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares. We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the
IRS, or an opinion as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination
may be upheld by a court.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion under "—Passive Foreign Investment Company" below, the gross amount of any distributions paid with respect to the ADSs or
ordinary shares generally will be included in your gross income as foreign source dividend income on the date of actual or constructive receipt by the
depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary shares, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed
to corporations under the Code in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
75
If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, subject to applicable limitations, you may be eligible to be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% in respect of dividends
received in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 if we are treated as a qualified foreign corporation. A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified
foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares (or ADSs represented by such shares) that are readily tradable on an
established securities market in the United States. U.S. Treasury Department guidance indicates that our ADSs (which are listed on NASDAQ), but not our
ordinary shares, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Thus, we believe that dividends we pay on our ordinary shares
that are represented by ADSs, but not on our ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs, currently meet such conditions required for the reduced tax
rates. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. A qualified foreign
corporation also includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the United States. In the event that we are
deemed to be a Chinese "resident enterprise" under PRC tax law (see discussion under "PRC Taxation" above), we may be eligible for the benefits of the
income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, (the "Treaty") and, if we are eligible for such benefits, dividends we pay on our ordinary shares,
regardless of whether such ordinary shares are represented by ADSs, would be subject to the reduced rates of taxation. Non-corporate U.S. Holders that do not
meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as "investment
income" pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign
corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to
positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. Please consult your tax
advisors to determine whether you are subject to any special rules that limit your ability to be taxed at this favorable rate.
Non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us in taxable years beginning prior to January
1, 2013, if we are a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year.
In the event that we are deemed to be a Chinese "resident enterprise" under PRC tax law, you may be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid to
you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends, if any, may be
treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on
the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute passive category income, but could,
in certain circumstances, be general category income. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. You should consult your tax advisors regarding
the availability of the foreign tax credit in light of your particular circumstances.
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under U.S. federal
income tax principles, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ADSs or ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the
distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. However, we do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits in accordance
with U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will generally be treated as a dividend (as discussed above).
Taxation of Dispositions of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion under "—Passive Foreign Investment Company" below, upon sale or other taxable disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, a U.S.
Holder will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between such holder's tax basis
in the ADSs or ordinary shares sold or disposed of and the amount realized on the sale or other taxable disposition. The gain or loss generally will be capital
gain or loss. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year. If you are
a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the ADS or ordinary share for more than one year, you will be eligible for
reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be U.S. source gain or
loss for foreign tax credit purposes, subject to exceptions and limitations. However, in the event we are deemed to be a Chinese "resident enterprise" under
PRC tax law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. In such event, if PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of the ADSs or
ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may elect to treat such gain as PRC source income. U.S. Holders should consult
their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, including the availability of the
foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
76
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Based on the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares and the composition of our income and assets, we believe that we were not a "passive foreign
investment company," or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2010. However, the application of the PFIC
rules is subject to ambiguity in several respects and, in addition, we must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC (after the close
of each taxable year). Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011 or any future
taxable year. In particular, we believe that there is a risk that we will be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2011 unless the market price of our
ADSs increases and/or we invest a substantial amount of the cash and other passive assets we hold in assets that produce active income. A non-U.S.
corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or at least 50% of the value of its assets
(based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive
income (the "asset test").
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we
own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.
Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat the consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries as being owned by us for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, not only because we control their management decisions but also because we are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits
associated with these entities, and, as a result, we consolidate these entities' operating results in our consolidated, financial statements prepared under U.S.
GAAP. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of the consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, we would likely be treated as a PFIC for our taxable year ended on December 31, 2010 and any subsequent taxable year.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, it is possible that our PFIC status will change. In particular, if it
were determined, that we are not the owner of the consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would
likely be treated as a PFIC. Assuming that we are the owner of the consolidated variable entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, because the total value
of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be calculated using the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in
large part on the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares. Accordingly, it is possible that fluctuations in the market price of the ADSs and ordinary
shares will result in our being a PFIC for any year. In addition, the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we utilize
the cash (or other passive assets or investments) we have on hand or raise in any offering. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our
ADSs or ordinary shares, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds ADSs or ordinary
shares, absent a special election. For instance, if we cease to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder can avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a
deemed sale election with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year and any of our foreign subsidiaries is
also a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application
of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
Furthermore, because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service may challenge our
classification of certain income and assets as non-passive or our valuation of our tangible and intangible assets, each of which may result in our company
becoming classified as a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. Because PFIC status is a fact-intensive determination made on an annual basis and
will depend upon the composition of our assets and income and the value of our tangible and intangible assets from time to time, no assurance can be given
that we are not or will not become classified as a PFIC.
If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally would continue to be treated
as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder hold our ADSs or ordinary shares and will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any
"excess distribution" that he or she receives and any gain he or she realizes from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of our ADSs or ordinary
shares, unless he or she makes a "mark-to-market" election as discussed below. Distributions a U.S. Holder receives in a taxable year that are greater than
125% of the average annual distributions he or she received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or his or her holding period for the ADSs
or ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
77
•
•
•
the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over his or her holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares;
the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as
ordinary income; and
the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge applicable to underpayments
of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or "excess distribution" cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such
years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if the U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or
ordinary shares as capital assets.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of "marketable stock" (as defined below) in a PFIC can make a mark-to-market election for such stock of a PFIC to elect out of
the tax treatment discussed in the two preceding paragraphs. However, such election cannot be made with respect to any lower tier PFIC. If a U.S. Holder
makes a mark-to-market election for the ADSs or ordinary shares, he or she will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair
market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares as of the close of his or her taxable year over his or her adjusted basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. A U.S.
Holder is allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the
taxable year. Such deductions, however, are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or ordinary shares included in his or
her income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in his or her income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other
disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-
market loss on the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, to the extent that
the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ADSs or ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder's basis in our
ADSs or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If he or she makes a mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to
distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend
income discussed above under "—Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares" would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for "marketable stock," which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days
during each calendar quarter ("regularly traded") on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We expect that
the ADSs will be listed on the Nasdaq and, consequently, to the extent that our ADSs are regularly traded on the NASDAQ, the mark-to-market election
would be available to a U.S. Holder if we were to be or become a PFIC.
If a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a holder of shares in that corporation can avoid taxation under the rules described above by making a "qualified electing
fund" election to include its share of the corporation's income on a current basis, or a "deemed sale" election once the corporation no longer qualifies as a
PFIC. However, a U.S. Holder can make a qualified electing fund election with respect to his or her ADSs or ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish him
or her annually with certain tax information, and we do not intend to prepare or provide such information.
If a U.S. Holder holds ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621
regarding distributions received on our ADSs or ordinary shares and any gain realized on the disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares. U.S. shareholders of
PFICs may also be required to furnish certain information to be specified by the Internal Revenue Service on an annual basis even in the absence of any such
distributions, dispositions or elections.
You should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in ADSs or ordinary shares.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to ADSs or ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of ADSs or ordinary shares paid to you
within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States) may be subject to information reporting to the Internal Revenue Service, unless you
are an exempt recipient such as a corporation. However, backup withholding will not apply to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification
number and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their
exempt status generally must provide such certification on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the
application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you
may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue
Service and furnishing any required information.
U.S. Holders that hold certain foreign financial assets (which may include our ADSs or ordinary shares) are required to report information related to such
assets, subject to certain exceptions. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect, if any, of this requirement on your ownership and disposition of
our ADSs or ordinary shares.
New Legislation Regarding Medicare Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be subject to a 3.8% tax on all or a
portion of their "net investment income," which may include all or a portion of their dividends and net gains from the sale or other disposition of ordinary
shares. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you should consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to
your income and gains in respect of your investment in our ordinary shares.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Expert
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports
and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F: (1) within six months after the end of each fiscal year, which
is December 31, for fiscal years ending before December 15, 2011; and (2) within four months after the end of each fiscal year for fiscal years ending on or
after December 15, 2011. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at
the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C., 20549. The public may obtain information
regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov
that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its
EDGAR system. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports
and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
We will furnish JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the depositary of our ADSs, with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual
audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders' meetings and other reports and
communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to
holders of ADSs and, upon our request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders' meeting received by
the depositary from us.
79
In accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5250(d), we will post this annual report on Form 20-F on our website at http://www.airmedia.net.cn. In
addition, we will provide hardcopies of our annual report free of charge to shareholders and ADS holders upon request.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. We
have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been
exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates. However, our future interest income may fall short of
expectations due to changes in market interest rates.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Our financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars, which is our reporting and functional currency. However, substantially all of the revenues and expenses
of our consolidated operating subsidiaries and affiliate entities are denominated in RMB. Substantially all of our sales contracts are denominated in RMB and
substantially all of our costs and expenses are denominated in RMB. We have not had any material foreign exchange gains or losses. Although in general, our
exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S.
dollars and RMB because the value of the business of our operating subsidiaries and variable interest entities is effectively denominated in RMB, while the
ADSs are traded in U.S. dollars.
The value of RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China's political and economic conditions and
China's foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of RMB to the U.S. dollar.
Under the revised policy, RMB was permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. It is difficult to
predict how long the current situation may last and when and how it may change again. We have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to
hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.
To the extent that we need to convert our U.S. dollar-denominated assets into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would
have an adverse effect on RMB amount we receive from the conversion. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against RMB
would have resulted in a decrease of $1.8 million in the value of our U.S. dollar-denominated financial assets at December 31, 2010. Conversely, if we decide
to convert our RMB-denominated cash amounts into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for
other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Inflation
Inflationary factors such as increases in the cost of our product and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. Although we do not believe that
inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on
our ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues if the selling prices of
our products do not increase with these increased costs.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A. Debt Securities
Not applicable.
B. Warrants and Rights
80
Not applicable.
C. Other Securities
Not applicable.
D. American Depositary Shares
Fees and Charges Our ADS holders May Have to Pay
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the depositary of our ADS program, collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing
shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to
investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its
annual fee for depositary services by deductions from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of
participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay:
$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)
For:
Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares
or rights or other property; cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of
withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates
$0.05 (or less) per ADS
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed had
been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs $0.05
(or less) per ADSs per calendar year (if the depositary has not collected any
cash distribution fee during that year)
Expenses of the depositary
Registration or transfer fees
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have
to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer
taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the
deposited securities
Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us
Any cash distribution to registered ADS holders
Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which
are distributed by the depositary to registered ADS holders Depositary
services
Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the
deposit agreement); Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars
Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name
of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
As necessary
As necessary
The depositary has agreed to reimburse us annually for our expenses incurred in connection with investor relationship programs and any other program related
to our ADS facility and the travel expense of our key personnel in connection with such programs. The depositary has also agreed to provide additional
payments to us based on the applicable performance indicators relating to our ADS facility. There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the
depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is not necessarily tied to the amount of fees the depositary collects from
investors. We recognize the reimbursable amounts in other income on our consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the contract term
with the depositary.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, we received $1.3 million from the depositary as reimbursement for our expenses incurred and recognized $539,000 in
our consolidated statements of operations, and the depositary waived an estimated $30,000 in servicing fees for ongoing program maintenance.
81
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
PART II
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITIES HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
See "Item 10. Additional Information" for a description of the rights of securities holders, which remain unchanged.
The following "Use of Proceeds" information relates to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File number: 333-146825) filed by us in connection with our
initial public offering. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on November 6, 2007. We received net proceeds of approximately $187.0
million from our initial public offering.
As of December 31, 2010, the net proceeds from our initial public offering have been used as follows:
• approximately $79.5 million for the purchase of digital displays and other equipments and the construction of gas station media platforms;
• approximately $29.7 million for business acquisitions and the purchase of intangible assets;
• approximately $7.4 million for share repurchases; and
• approximately $2.1 million for the purchase of long-term investments.
In 2011, we expect to use the net proceeds received from our initial public offering as follows:
• approximately $15.0 million to fund capital expenditure.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information that
would be required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC's rules
and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including to our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2010. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive
officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of December 31, 2010, and as of the date that the evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls
and procedures was completed, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the
Exchange Act. Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Rule 13a-15(c) of the Exchange
Act, based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of
December 31, 2010.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to consolidated
financial statement preparation and presentation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate.
82
Our management has excluded from our assessment for internal control over financial reporting that of AM Outdoor, which AM Advertising acquired on
January 1, 2010 and accounted for 3.13% and 5.46% of our net and total assets, respectively, 5.98% of our revenues and (6.88)% of our net loss on a
consolidated basis as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 has been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., an
independent registered public accounting firm, who has also audited our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AirMedia Group Inc.
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of AirMedia Group Inc. (the "Company"), its subsidiaries, its variable interest entities (the
"VIEs") and its VIEs' subsidiaries (collectively the "Group") as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Management's Report on Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at AirMedia City (Beijing) Outdoor
Advertising Co., Ltd., which was acquired on January 1, 2010, and whose financial statements constitute 3.13% and 5.46% of net and total assets,
respectively, 5.98% of revenues and (6.88)% of net income of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at AirMedia City (Beijing) Outdoor Advertising Co., Ltd. The Group's
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on The Group's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing
and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal
financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of director, management and other personnel to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the
maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of
controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the
effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Group maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
83
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 of the Group and our report dated May 5, 2011 expressed an
unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
Beijing, the People's Republic of China
May 5, 2011
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that Donglin Xia, a member of our audit committee, is an audit committee financial expert. Donglin Xia is an
independent director as defined by the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers, employees and agents, including certain provisions that specifically
apply to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief technology officer, presidents, vice presidents and any other persons
who perform similar functions for us. We have filed our code of business conduct and ethics as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-1 (No.
333-146825).
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., our principal external auditors, for the periods indicated. We did not pay any other fees to our auditors during the periods indicated
below.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
2009
2010
$
Audit Fees
$
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
TOTAL
"Audit Fees" consisted of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements or quarterly review
services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
1,014,586
—
—
18,883
1,033,469
1,148,578
—
—
45,452
1,194,030
$
$
"Audit Related Fees" consisted of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to
the performance of the audit or review of our regulatory filings and were not otherwise included in Audit Fees.
"Tax Fees" consisted of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Included in such Tax Fees
were fees for preparation of our tax returns and consultancy and advice on other tax planning matters.
"All Other Fees" consisted of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided and not otherwise included in Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees or
Tax Fees.
84
The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., including audit
services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as described above, other than those for de minimus services which are approved by the audit
committee prior to the completion of the audit.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
We have not asked for nor have we been granted an exemption from the applicable listing standards for our audit committee.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
There were no purchases of equity securities by us or by any of our affiliates during the period covered by this annual report.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
None.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The NASDAQ Stock Market rules require each issuer to hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of the issuer's fiscal year-
end. They also require each issuer to seek shareholder approval for any material amendments to the issuer's equity compensation plans, including a repricing
of outstanding options. However, the rules permit foreign private issuers like us to follow "home country practice" in certain corporate governance matters.
Maples and Calder, our Cayman Islands counsel, has provided a letter to the NASDAQ Stock Market certifying that under Cayman Islands law, we are not
required to hold annual shareholder meetings. We followed home country practice with respect to annual meetings and did not hold any annual meeting of
shareholders in 2008. We held an annual meeting in 2009, and may hold additional annual shareholder meetings in the future if there are significant issues that
require shareholder approval.
Maples and Calder has also provided a letter to the NASDAQ Stock Market certifying that under Cayman Islands law, we are not required to seek shareholder
approval for any material amendments to our equity compensation plans. In 2008, we followed home country practice with respect to our 2007 Share
Incentive Plan by amending it to permit repricings of options without seeking shareholder approval.
We have relied on and intend to continue to rely on the above home country practice under Cayman Islands law. Other than the above, we have followed and
intend to continue to follow the applicable corporate governance standards under the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
We will post this annual report on Form 20-F on our company website www.airmedia.net.cn. In addition, we will provide hard copies of our annual report
free of charge to shareholders and ADS holders upon request.
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PART III
The full text of our audited consolidated financial statements begins on page F-1 of this annual report.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
85
Exhibit No. Description
1.1
2.1
2.2
2.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Form 6-K filed on
December 10, 2009)
Registrant's Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Form of Deposit Agreement among the Company, the depositary and holder of the American Depositary Receipts (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333- 146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Amended and Restated Shareholders' Agreement originally dated as of June 7, 2007, as amended and restated on September 27, 2007,
among the Company and Shareholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Amended and Restated 2007 Share Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 6-K filed on December 10, 2009)
Form of Indemnification Agreement with the Company's directors and officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and an Executive Officer of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Investment Framework Agreement dated October 18, 2005, as amended on September 27, 2007, among Man Guo, Qing Xu and CDH
China Management Company Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Business Cooperation Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and
AirTV United Media & Culture Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Business Cooperation Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and AirTV
United Media & Culture Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Amended Power of Attorneys dated November 28, 2008 from each of the shareholders of Beijing Shengshi Lianhe
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Development Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Development
Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Support and Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia
Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333- 146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Support and
Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co.,
Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
86
Exhibit No. Description
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.21
4.22
4.23
English Translation of Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19,
2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April
28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19,
2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April
28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended Power of Attorneys dated November 28, 2008 from the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia Advertising
Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Development Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Registration Statement on
Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Development
Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Support and Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia
Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Support and
Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.19 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 1 dated June 19, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing
AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement
dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
87
Exhibit No. Description
4.24
4.25
4.26
4.27
4.28
4.29
4.30
4.31
4.32
4.33
4.34
4.35
4.36
English Translation of Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.20 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 1 dated June 19, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing
AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement
dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Loan Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia
Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Guo Man, a shareholder of Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.31 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended Power of Attorneys dated November 28, 2008 from the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising
Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.32 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Technology Development Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and
Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Development
Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Technology Support and Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
and Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Support and
Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia
UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24
to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among
AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.38 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC
Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among
AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.40 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
88
Exhibit No. Description
4.37
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated October 31, 2008 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and the
shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd., supplementing the original Loan Agreement dated January 1, 2007
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.41 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Power of Attorneys dated April 1, 2008 from each of the shareholders of Beijing Yuehang Digital Media
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.42 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Technology Development Agreement dated April 1, 2008 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and
Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.43 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on
April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Technology Support and Service Agreement dated April 1, 2008 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
and Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.44 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed
on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated June 25, 2008 to the Technology Support and Service Agreement dated April 1,
2008 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.45 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement dated April 1, 2008 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Yuehang
Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.46 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Call Option Agreement dated April 1, 2008 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Yuehang
Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.47 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
Share Purchase Agreement dated July 4, 2008 among the Registrant, First Reach Holdings Limited and Excel Lead International Limited
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.48 to Annual Report on Form 20- F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 to Call Option Agreement dated May 27, 2010 among AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.45 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on May 28, 2010)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 to the Equity Pledge Agreement dated May 27, 2010 among AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.46 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on May 28, 2010)
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
List of the Company’s subsidiaries
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-1(a)
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-1(a)
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
89
4.38
4.39
4.40
4.41
4.42
4.43
4.44
4.45
4.46
11.1
8.1*
12.1*
12.2*
13.1*
13.2*
15.1*
Description
Exhibit No.
15.2*
15.3*
*Filed herewith.
Consent of Commerce & Finance Law Offices
Consent of Maples and Calder
90
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned
to sign this annual report on its behalf.
SIGNATURE
Date: May 6, 2011AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
/s/ Herman Man Guo
Herman Man Guo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
91
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
and Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010
F-1
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
F-2
PAGE(S)
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8 - F-56
F-57 - F-61
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AirMedia Group Inc. (the "Company"), its subsidiaries, its variable interest entities (the
"VIEs") and its VIEs' subsidiaries (collectively the "Group") as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations,
changes in equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and related financial statement
schedule included in Schedule I. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as of December
31, 2009 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Group's internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated May 5, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Group's internal control
over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
Beijing, The People's Republic of China
May 5, 2011
F-3
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share related data)
As of December 31,
2009
2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash
Restricted cash
Short-term investment
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,843 and $17,646 as of December 31,
$
2009 and 2010
Prepaid concession fees
Amount due from related parties
Other current assets
Deferred tax assets - current
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Long-term investments
Long term deposits
Deferred tax assets - non-current
Acquired intangible assets, net
Goodwill
TOTAL ASSETS
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated variable interest entities without
recourse to AirMedia Group Inc. $30,067 and $38,286 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010,
respectively)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of
the consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to AirMedia Group Inc. $3,827 and $7,078
as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Deferred revenue (including deferred revenue of the consolidated variable interest entities without
recourse to AirMedia Group Inc. $8,924 and $12,751 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010,
respectively)
Income tax payable (including income tax payable of the consolidated variable interest entities without
recourse to AirMedia Group Inc. $76 and $911 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated variable
interest entities without recourse to AirMedia Group Inc. $408 and $422 as of December 31, 2009 and
2010, respectively)
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current (including deferred tax liabilities - non-current of the consolidated
variable interest entities without recourse to AirMedia Group Inc. $3,155 and $4,761 as of December
31, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20 and Note 21)
Equity
Ordinary shares ($0.001 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized in 2009 and 2010; 131,179,487 shares
and 131,905,011 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Additional paid-in capital
Statutory reserves
Accumulated deficits
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Total AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders' equity
Noncontrolling interests
Total equity
$
123,754
1,431
586
40,019
15,425
5,991
4,069
3,693
194,968
78,831
1,984
15,914
4,726
11,141
9,087
316,651
30,680
7,136
8,941
52
408
47,217
3,155
50,372
132
268,542
6,912
(22,488)
9,944
263,042
3,237
266,279
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
316,651
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
106,505
6,798
-
62,455
31,787
306
2,713
5,050
215,614
71,720
1,714
13,874
6,032
17,496
20,736
347,186
39,020
12,253
12,751
1,263
422
65,709
4,761
70,470
132
277,676
7,671
(28,164)
18,353
275,668
1,048
276,716
347,186
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share related data)
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2008
2010
$
125,540 $
(6,107)
119,433
70,995
48,438
152,530 $
(3,102)
149,428
147,541
1,887
236,460
(5,955)
230,505
197,908
32,597
Revenues
Business tax and other sales tax
Net revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing (including share-based compensation of $1,158, $1,540 and $2,424
in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
General and administrative (including share-based compensation of $3,805, $4,226 and
$5,547 in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Impairment of intangible assets
Total operating expenses
Income/(loss) from operations
Interest income
Gain on remeasurement of fair value of cost and equity method investments (net)
Other income, net
Income/(loss) before income taxes and share of income/(loss) on equity method investments
Income tax benefits
Net income/(loss) before share of income/(loss) on equity method investments
Share of (loss)/income on equity method investments
Net income/(loss)
Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders per ordinary share - basic $
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s shareholders per ordinary share - diluted$
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income/(loss) per ordinary share - basic
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income/(loss) per ordinary share - diluted
10,171
14,374
-
24,545
23,893
5,379
-
1,135
30,407
498
30,905
(325)
30,580
382
30,198
0.23
0.22
133,603,419
137,782,135
13,439
34,936
-
48,375
(46,488)
2,025
-
1,239
(43,224)
6,032
(37,192)
164
(37,028)
211
(37,239)
$
$
(0.28) $
(0.28) $
131,320,730
131,320,730
18,112
24,646
1,000
43,758
(11,161)
694
919
940
(8,608)
735
(7,873)
290
(7,583)
(2,666)
(4,917)
(0.04)
(0.04)
131,252,115
131,252,115
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVEINCOME (LOSS)
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
AirMedia Group Inc's. shareholder's equity
Ordinary shares
Shares
Amount
Additional
paid-in capital
Statutory
reserves
Retained
earnings
(Accumulated
deficits)
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
Total
AirMedia Group
Inc.'s shareholders'
equity
Noncontrolling
interests
Total
equity
Comprehensive
income (loss)
for the year
Balance as of January 1, 2008
133,425,925 $
133 $
263,130 $
1,782 $
(10,317)$
2,877 $
257,605 $
(3)$ 257,602
Ordinary shares issued for share based
compensation
Provision for statutory reserve
Share-based compensation
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
Net income
Noncontrolling interest acquired in
business combinations of Flying
Dragon
1,000,000
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
788
-
4,963
-
3,811
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(3,811)
-
-
30,198
-
-
-
7,175
-
789
-
4,963
7,175
30,198
-
-
-
789
-
4,963
2
382
7,177
30,580
7,177
30,580
-
-
-
572
572
Balance as of December 31, 2008
134,425,925
134
268,881
5,593
16,070
10,052
300,730
953 301,683
37,757
Ordinary shares issued for share based
compensation
Share repurchase
Provision for statutory reserve
Share-based compensation
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
Net income/(loss)
Dividend declaration of a VIE's
subsidiary
Incorporation of AM Jinshi, a
majority-owned subsidiary
46,566
(3,293,004)
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
(3)
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,279
(7,384)
-
5,766
-
-
1,319
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,319)
-
-
(37,239)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(108)
-
-
-
1,280
(7,387)
-
5,766
(108)
(37,239)
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,280
(7,387)
-
5,766
2
211
(106)
(37,028)
(106)
(37,028)
(124)
(124)
2,195
2,195
Balance as of December 31, 2009
131,179,487
132
268,542
6,912
(22,488)
9,944
263,042
3,237 266,279
(37,134)
Ordinary shares issued for share based
compensation
Provision for statutory reserve
Share-based compensation
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
Net income/(loss)
Noncontrolling interest acquired in
business combination of
Dongding
Balance as of December 31, 2010
725,524
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,163
-
7,971
-
759
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(759)
-
-
(4,917)
-
-
-
8,409
-
1,163
-
7,971
8,409
(4,917)
-
-
-
1,163
-
7,971
62
(2,666)
8,471
(7,583)
8,471
(7,583)
-
-
-
415
415
131,905,011 $
275,668 $
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
277,676 $
(28,164)$
18,353 $
7,671 $
132 $
1,048 $ 276,716 $
888
F-6
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In U.S. dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Depreciation and amortization
Share-based compensation
Share of loss (income) on equity method investments
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
Gain on sale/maturity of short-term investments
Gain on remeasurement of fair value of cost and equity method investment (net)
Impairment of intangible assets
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable
Prepaid concession fees
Other current assets
Long term deposits
Amount due from related parties
Accounts payable
Amounts due to related parties
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net
Income tax payable
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisition of business ( net of cash acquired of $2,351, $1,759 and $212 in
2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Advance payment/payment for contingent consideration in connection with a business
combination
Purchase of property and equipment
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of short-term investments
Proceeds from sale/maturity of short-term investments
Loan to related party
Restricted cash
Purchase of long-term investments
Proceeds from disposal of a long-term investment
Net cash used in investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Share repurchase
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest in the incorporation of AM Jinshi
Dividend paid to former shareholder of subsidiaries
Proceed from exercises of stock options
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes
Net decrease in cash
Cash, at beginning of year
Cash, at end of year
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid
Income tax paid
Fair value of property and equipment acquired in exchange of advertising services rendered
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2010
2008
$
30,580
$
(37,028)
$
(7,583)
1,027
5,545
4,963
325
1,180
-
-
-
(24,376)
(15,933)
(1,226)
(8,882)
-
10,623
396
2,357
(2,036)
(1,766)
809
3,586
562
(6,334)
(50,412)
2
-
-
-
-
-
(1,181)
671
(56,692)
-
-
-
789
789
2,936
(49,381)
210,915
161,534
-
885
1,041
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
13,573
16,513
5,766
(164)
1,097
(360)
-
-
(18,154)
17,246
(1,431)
(1,086)
-
14,209
-
(101)
6,530
(6,953)
(799)
8,858
(6,070)
-
(28,702)
72
(146)
(219,972)
219,782
(5,575)
(1,447)
(586)
-
(42,644)
(7,387)
2,195
-
1,279
(3,913)
(81)
(37,780)
161,534
123,754
197
1,721
1,280
$
$
$
$
2,223
23,479
7,971
(290)
518
(511)
(919)
1,000
(21,089)
(3,894)
4,540
2,815
(302)
5,534
-
262
(702)
(3,526)
1,100
10,626
(14,758)
(2,415)
(8,910)
137
-
(307,511)
308,737
-
(5,281)
(367)
-
(30,368)
-
-
(1,091)
1,163
72
2,421
(19,670)
123,754
106,505
-
1,941
262
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
1.
Introduction of the Group
AirMedia Group Inc. ("AirMedia" or the "Company") was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on April 12, 2007.
AirMedia, its subsidiaries, its variable interest entities ("VIEs") and VIEs' subsidiaries (collectively referred to "AirMedia and its subsidiaries" or the
"Group") operate its out-of-home advertising network, primarily air travel advertising network, in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC").
As of December 31, 2010, details of the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and VIE's subsidiaries are as follows:
Name
Intermediate Holding Company:
Broad Cosmos Enterprises Ltd.
AirMedia International Limited ("AM International")
AirMedia (China) Limited ("AM China")
Excel Lead International Limited ("Excel Lead")
Dominant City Ltd. ("Dominant City")
Easy Shop Ltd. ("Easy Shop")
Subsidiaries:
AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. ("AM Technology")
Shenzhen AirMedia Information Technology Co., Ltd.
("Shenzhen AM")
Xi'an AirMedia Chuangyi Technology Co., Ltd. ("Xi'an AM")
Royal Mart Limited ("Royal Mart")
Glorious Star Investment Limited ("Glorious Star")
VIEs:
Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Shengshi Lianhe")
Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. ("AM Advertising")
Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co. Ltd. ("AirMedia UC")
Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co. Ltd. ("AM Yuehang")
Date of
incorporation/
acquisition
June 26, 2006
July 14, 2007
August 5, 2005
August 1, 2008
July 1, 2009
January 1, 2010
September 19, 2005
June 6, 2006
December 31, 2007
December 24, 2007
August 1, 2008
August 7, 2005
November 22, 2005
January 1, 2007
January 16, 2008
F-8
Place of
incorporation
Percentage of
economic
ownership
British Virgin Islands ("BVI")
BVI
Hong Kong
BVI
BVI
BVI
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
1.
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Introduction of the Group - continued
Name
VIE's subsidiaries:
AirTV United Media & Culture Co., Ltd. ("AirTV United")
Beijing AirMedia Film & TV Culture Co. Ltd. ("AM Film")
Flying Dragon Media Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Flying Dragon")
Wenzhou AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. ("AM Wenzhou")
Beijing Weimei Shengshi Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Weimei Shengshi")
Beijing Weimei Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Weimei Lianhe")
Beiijng Shengshi Lixin Culture & Media Co., Ltd. ("Shengshi Lixin")
Hainan Jinhui Guangming Media Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Hainan Jinhui")
Beijing Union of Friendship Advertising Media Co. Ltd. ("Youtong")
Beijing AirMedia Jinshi Advertising Co., Ltd. ("AM Jinshi")
Tianjin AirMedia Jinshi Advertising Co., Ltd. ("TJ Jinshi")
Tianjin AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. ("TJ AM")
AirMedia City (Beijing) Outdoor Advertising Co., Ltd. ("AM Outdoor")
Beijing Dongding Gongyi Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Dongding")
The VIE arrangements
Date of
incorporation/
acquisition
Place of
incorporation
Percentage of
economic
ownership
October 10, 2006
September 13, 2007
August 1, 2008
October 17, 2008
March 16, 2009
March 10, 2009
June 1, 2009
June 23, 2009
July 1, 2009
July 7, 2009
September 8, 2009
September 21, 2009
January 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
the PRC
75%
100%
80%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
80%
100%
100%
100%
75%
Chinese regulations currently limit foreign ownership of companies that provide advertising services, including out-of-home television advertising
services. Since December 30, 2005, foreign investors have been permitted to own directly 100% interest in PRC advertising companies if the foreign
investor has at least three years of direct operations outside of the PRC.
One of the Company's subsidiaries, AM China, has been engaged in the advertising business in Hong Kong since September 2008. Since it has not
been involved in advertising outside of the PRC for the required number of years as required under the PRC laws and regulations as of December 31,
2010, the PRC subsidiaries of the Group, AM Technology, Shenzhen AM and Xi'an AM which are considered foreign-invested, are currently
ineligible to apply for the required advertising service licenses in the PRC.
F-9
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
1.
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued
The VIE arrangements - continued
The Group therefore conducts substantially all of its activities through the VIEs, i.e. Shengshi Lianhe, AM Advertising, AirMedia UC and AM
Yuehang, and the VIEs' subsidiaries. The VIEs have entered into a series of agreements with AM Technology as below:
•
•
•
•
•
Technology support and service agreement: AM Technology provides exclusive technology supports and consulting services to the VIEs and
VIEs are required to pay AM Technology for the technical and consulting services they are provided. The VIEs pay to AM Technology
annual service fees in the amount that guarantee that the VIEs can achieve, after deducting such service fees payable to AM Technology, a net
cost-plus rate of no less than 0.5% in the case of AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe and AirMedia UC, or 1.0% in the case of AM Yuehang,
which final rate should be determined by AM Technology. The "net cost-plus rate" refers to the operating profit as a percentage of total costs
and expenses of a certain entity.
Technology development agreement: VIEs exclusively engage AM Technology to provide technology development services. AM
Technology owns the intellectual property rights developed in the performance of these agreements. The VIEs pay to AM Technology annual
service fees in the amount that guarantee that the VIEs can achieve, after deducting such service fees payable to AM Technology, a net cost-
plus rate of no less than 0.5% in the case of AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe and AirMedia UC, which final rate should be determined by
AM Technology. The "net cost-plus rate" refers to the operating profit as a percentage of total costs and expenses of a certain entity.
Call option agreement: Under the call option agreements, the shareholders of VIEs irrevocably granted AM Technology or its designated
third party an exclusive option to purchase from VIEs' shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all the equity interests in the
VIEs, as the case may be, for the minimum amount of consideration permitted by the applicable law without any other conditions. In addition,
AM Technology will act as guarantor of VIEs in all operation related contracts, agreements and transactions and commit to provide loans to
support the business development needs of VIEs or when the VIEs are suffering operating difficulties.
Equity pledge agreement: Under the equity pledge, the shareholders of the VIEs pledged all of their equity interests, including the right to
receive declared dividends, in the VIEs to AM Technology to guarantee VIEs' performance of its obligations under the technology support
and service agreement and the technology development agreement.
Authorization letter: Each shareholder of the VIEs has executed an authorization letter to authorize AM Technology to exercise certain of its
rights, including voting rights, the rights to enter into legal documents and the rights to transfer any or all of its equity interest in the VIEs.
Such authorization letters will remain effective during the operating periods of the VIEs.
F-10
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
1.
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued
The VIE arrangements - continued
Through the above contractual arrangements, AM Technology has obtained 100% of shareholders' voting interest in the VIEs, has the right to receive
all dividends declared and paid by the VIEs and may receive substantially all of the net income of the VIEs through the technical support and service
fees as determined by AM Technology. As a result, AM Technology receives substantially all of the VIEs' expected residual returns and holds
variable interests in the VIEs. Since AM Technology is the primary beneficiary of the VIE arrangement, the VIEs' financial position and financial
results are consolidated in the Group's financial statements.
Other than the contractual arrangements described above, because the management and certain employees of AM Technology also serve in the VIEs
as management or employees, certain operating costs paid by AM Technology, such as payroll costs and office rental, were recharged to the VIEs.
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an authoritative pronouncement to amend the accounting rules for VIEs.
The amendments effectively replace the quantitative-based risks-and-rewards calculation for determining which reporting entity, if any, has a
controlling financial interest in a VIE with an approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE
that most significantly affect the entity's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the
entity. Additionally, an enterprise is required to assess whether it has an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed
when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. The
new guidance also requires additional disclosures about a reporting entity's involvement with VIEs and about any significant changes in risk exposure
as a result of that involvement.
The Group adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2010 and the disclosure requirements of the new guidance were retrospectively applied for all the
periods presented in this consolidated financial statements.
The Group has had four VIEs, AM Advertising, Shengshi Lianhe, AirMedia UC and AM Yuehang, which have been consolidated under the
authoritative literature prior to the amendment discussed above because the Group was the primary beneficiary of the entity. Because the Group,
through its wholly owned subsidiary, has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly affect its economic performance and
(2) the right to receive benefits from the VIEs, the Group continues to consolidate the VIEs upon the adoption of the new guidance which therefore,
other than for additional disclosures, had no accounting impact.
F-11
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
1.
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Risks in relation to the VIE structure
The Group believes that the VIE arrangements are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. The shareholders of the VIEs are also
shareholders of the Group and therefore have no current interest in seeking to act contrary to the contractual arrangements. However, uncertainties in
the PRC legal system could limit the Group's ability to enforce these contractual arrangements and if the shareholders of the VIEs were to reduce their
interest in the Group, their interests may diverge from that of the Group and that may potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary
to the contractual terms, for example by influencing the VIEs not to pay the service fees when required to do so.
The Group's ability to control the VIEs also depends on the power of attorney AM Technology has to vote on all matters requiring shareholder
approval in the VIEs. As noted above, the Group believes this power of attorney is legally enforceable but may not be as effective as direct equity
ownership.
In addition, if the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing PRC laws and regulations, the PRC
government could:
•
•
•
•
revoking the business and operating licenses of the Group's PRC subsidiaries and
affiliates;
discontinuing or restricting the Group's PRC subsidiaries' and affiliates' operations;
imposing conditions or requirements with which the Group or its PRC subsidiaries
and affiliates may not be able to comply; or
requiring the Group or its PRC subsidiaries and affiliates to restructure the relevant
ownership structure or operations;
The imposition of any of these penalties may result in a material and adverse effect on the Group's ability to conduct the Group's business. In addition,
if the imposition of any of these penalties causes the Group to lose the rights to direct the activities of the VIEs and its subsidiaries or the right to
receive their economic benefits, the Group would no longer be able to consolidate the VIEs. The Group does not believe that any penalties imposed or
actions taken by the PRC Government would result in the liquidation of the Group, AM Technology, or the VIEs.
There are no consolidated VIEs' assets that are collateral for the VIE's obligations and can only be used to settle the VIEs' obligations.
F-12
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
1.
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Risks in relation to the VIE structure - continued
The following financial statement amounts and balances of Air Media's VIEs were included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as
of and for the years ended December 31:
Total current assets
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Total current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net revenues
Net (loss)/income
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a)
Basis of presentation
$
$
$
As of December 31,
2009
2010
118,803 $
34,726
153,529
43,302
3,155
46,457 $
151,286
64,835
216,121
59,448
4,761
64,209
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2010
2008
119,521 $
(4,182)
22,368
2,877
145
148,868 $
(34,425)
11,361
(14,265)
2,195
229,989
7,425
(1,445)
(11,664)
(1,091)
The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America ("US GAAP").
(b)
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, its VIEs and its VIE's subsidiaries. All
inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
F-13
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(c)
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenue and expenses in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including allowance
for doubtful accounts, the useful lives of and impairment of property and equipment and intangible assets, impairment of long-term
investments, impairment of goodwill, forfeiture rate used in estimation of stock-based compensation, purchase price allocation for business
acquisition and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(d)
Significant risks and uncertainties
The Group participates in a dynamic industry and believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on
the Group's future financial position, results of operations, or cash flows: the Group's limited operating history; advances and trends in new
technologies and industry standards; competition from other competitors; regulatory or other PRC related factors; risks associated with the
Group's ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its growth; risks associated with the Group's growth strategies; and general
risks associated with the advertising industry.
(e)
Fair value
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be
recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions
that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three
broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that
is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
F-14
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(e)
Fair value - continued
Level 2
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the
asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in
markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are
observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the
measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The Group had an available-for-sale short-term investment that is measured at fair value on recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 based on
level 1 inputs and did not have any financial assets and liabilities or nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on
recurring basis as of December 31, 2010.
The Group's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include acquired assets and liabilities based on level
3 inputs in connection with business combinations.
The Group's financial instruments include cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, amounts due to related parties, and
amounts due from related parties, the carrying amounts of which approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturity.
The fair value of the long-term investments is not disclosed because it is not readily determinable.
(f)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid deposits which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use, and which have
original maturities of three months or less when purchased.
(g)
Restricted cash
Restricted cash represented the bank deposits in escrow accounts as the performance security for certain concession right agreements.
F-15
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(h)
Short-term investments
Short term investments are comprised of marketable debt securities, which are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Short term
investments are classified as held-to- maturity when the Group has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Short term
investments classified as held-to-maturity are carried at their amortized costs. The Group did not hold held-to-maturity securities as of
December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Short term investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at their fair values and the
unrealized gains or losses from the changes in fair values are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Available-for-sale
securities are classified as current assets on the consolidated balance sheets because they are available for immediate sale.
The Group reviews its short-term investments for other-than-temporary impairment based on the specific identification method. The Group
considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of its short-term investments. If the cost of an
investment exceeds the investment's fair value, the Group considers, among other factors, general market conditions, government economic
plans, the duration and the extent to which the fair value of the investment is less than the cost, and the Group's intent and ability to hold the
investment. The Group did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment on short term investments historically.
(i)
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, net, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated
on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
Digital display network equipment
Gas station display network equipment
Furniture and fixture
Computer and office equipment
Vehicle
Software
Property
Leasehold improvement
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
50 years
Shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated
useful lives of the assets
F-16
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets with definite life
(j)
The Group evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including intangible assets with definite life, whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures
impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from
the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the
assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of carrying amount over the fair value of the assets.
The Group has determined to perform the annual impairment tests on December 31 of each year. The Group incurred impairment loss of nil,
nil and $1,000 on intangible assets with definite life for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Due to the actual
sales and profits for Dongding were below forecast in the year ended December 31, 2010, the future undiscounted cash flow the definite-lived
intangible assets were expected to generate was less than the carrying amount as of December 31, 2010 and $1,000 impairment loss was
recognized for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(k)
Impairment of goodwill
The Group annually, or more frequently if the Group believes indicators of impairment exist, reviews the carrying value of goodwill to
determine whether impairment may exist.
Specifically, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its
carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be
impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares
the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is
determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first
step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets
and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the
implied fair value of goodwill. Estimating fair value is performed by utilizing various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being
a discounted cash flow.
The Group has determined to perform the annual impairment tests on December 31 of each year. The Group did not incur any impairment loss
on goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 or 2010.
F-17
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(l)
Equity method investments
Investee companies over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest are
accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Company has an ownership interest in
the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, and other factors, such as representation on the investee's Board of Directors, voting
rights and the impact of commercial arrangements, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate.
(m)
Cost method investment
For investments in an investee over which the Group does not have significant influence, the Group carries the investment at cost and
recognizes income as any dividends declared from distribution of investee's earnings. The Group reviews the cost method investments for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may no longer be recoverable. An impairment loss is
recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment's cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period
for which the assessment is made. The fair value of the investment would then become the new cost basis of the investment. No impairment
charges were recorded during the years presented.
(n)
Business combinations
Business combinations are recorded using the purchase method of accounting. On January 1, 2009, the Group adopted a new accounting
pronouncement with prospective application which made certain changes to the previous authoritative literature on business combinations.
From January 1, 2009, the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest of the acquiree at the acquisition date, if
any, are measured at their fair values as of that date. Goodwill is recognized and measured as the excess of the total consideration transferred
plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest of the acquiree, if any, at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets
acquired. Previously, any non-controlling interest was reflected at historical cost. Common forms of the consideration made in acquisitions
include cash and common equity instruments. Consideration transferred in a business acquisition is measured at the fair value as of the date of
acquisition. For shares issued in a business combination, the Group has estimated the fair value as of the date of acquisition.
Where the consideration in an acquisition includes contingent consideration, the payment of which depends on the achievement of certain
specified conditions post-acquisition, from January 1, 2009 the contingent consideration is recognized and measured at its fair value at the
acquisition date and if recorded as a liability, it is subsequently carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings. For
periods prior to January 1, 2009 contingent consideration was not recorded until the contingency was resolved.
F-18
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(o)
Acquired intangible assets
Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is
computed using the straight- line method over the following estimated economic lives:
TV program license
Audio-vision programming & broadcasting qualification
Customer relationships
Contract backlog
Concession agreements
Non-compete agreements
Revenue recognition
20 years
19.5 years
3-3.4 years
1.2-3 years
3.8-10 years
4.4 years
(p)
The Group's revenues are derived from selling advertising time slots on the Group's advertising networks, primarily air travel advertising
network. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the advertising revenues were generated from digital frames in airports,
digital TV screens in airports, digital TV screens on airlines, traditional media in airports, gas station media network and other media.
The Group typically signs standard contracts with its advertising customers, who require the Group to run the advertiser's advertisements on
the Group's network in specified locations for a period of time. The Group recognizes advertising revenues ratably over the performance
period for which the advertisements are displayed, so long as collection of the fees remains probable.
The Group also wholesales the advertising platforms such as scrolling light boxes and billboards in the gas stations located in some major
cities, except Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, to advertising agents, and signs fixed fee contracts with the agents for a specified period. The
revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the specified period.
Deferred revenue
Prepayments from customers for advertising service are deferred and recognized as revenue when the advertising services are rendered.
F-19
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(p)
Revenue recognition - continued
Non-monetary exchanges
The Group periodically exchanges advertising time slots and locations with other entities for assets or services, such as digital screen network
equipment and office rental. The Group recognizes revenues and assets/expenses of the exchanges based on the fair value of the advertising
provided, which can be determined based on the Group's historical practice of receiving cash. The amounts of revenues recognized for
nonmonetary transactions were $1,049, $739 and $1,244 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. No direct costs
are attributable to the revenues.
(q)
Business tax and other sale related taxes
The Group's PRC subsidiaries, VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries are subject to business tax and other sale related taxes at the rate of 8.5% on total
revenues after deduction of certain costs of revenues permitted by the PRC tax laws. Business tax is recorded as a deduction to revenue when
incurred.
(r)
Concession fees
The Group enters concession right agreements with vendors such as airports, airlines and a petroleum company, under which the Group
obtains the right to use the spaces or equipment of the vendors to display the advertisements. The concession right agreements are treated as
operating lease arrangements.
Fees under concession right agreements are usually due every three, six or twelve months. Payments made are recorded as current assets and
current liabilities according to the respective payment terms. Most of the concession fees with airports and airlines are fixed with escalation,
which means fixed increase over each year of the agreements. The total concession fee under the concession right agreements with airports
and airlines is charged to the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the agreement periods, which is generally
between three and five years.
The fee structure of the concession right agreement with the petroleum company is based on the actual number of developed gas stations and
associated standard annual concession fee for each developed gas station. Each gas station has its specific lease term starting from the time
when it is actually put into operation. The calculation of rental payments is based on how many months the gas stations are actually put into
operation during the year and the standard annual concession fee determined based on the location of the gas station. Accordingly, each gas
station is treated as a separate lease and rental payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over its lease term. The annual concession fee
to-be- paid is in an amount which is the greater of the calculated actual concession fee and a fixed minimum payment.
F-20
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(s)
Agency fees
The Group pays fees to advertising agencies based on certain percentage of revenues made through the advertising agencies upon receipt of
payment from advertisers. The agency fees are charged to cost of revenues in the consolidated statements of operations ratably over the period
in which the advertising is displayed. Prepaid and accrued agency fees are recorded as current assets and current liabilities according to
relative timing of payments made and advertising service provided.
(t)
Other operating leases
Leases where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating
lease. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease
periods.
(u)
Advertising costs
The Group expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising expenses were $1,430, $1,142 and $558 for the years ended December 31,
2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and have been included as part of selling and marketing expenses.
(v)
Payment by depositary
The depositary of the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADS") has agreed to reimburse the Group for certain qualified expenses
incurred. There are limits on the amount to be reimbursed the Company, but the amount of reimbursement available to the Company is not
necessarily tied to the amount of fees the depositary collects from investors. The Company recognizes the reimbursable amounts in other
income on the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the contract term with the depositary. The Group has
recorded $539, $539 and $539 in other income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
F-21
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(w)
Foreign currency translation
The functional and reporting currency of the Company and the Company's subsidiaries domiciled in BVI and Hong Kong are the United
States dollar ("U.S. dollar"). The financial records of the Company's other subsidiaries, VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries located in the PRC are
maintained in their local currency, the Renminbi ("RMB"), which are the functional currency of these entities.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the
rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency during the year are converted
into functional currency at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occurred. Transaction gains and losses are
recognized in the statements of operations.
The Group's entities with functional currency of RMB translate their operating results and financial position into the U.S. dollar, the
Company's reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues,
expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the year. Retained earnings and equity are translated using the historical
rate. Translation adjustments are reported as cumulative translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of other
comprehensive income.
(x)
Income taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in
the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or
all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable
to the Group as enacted by the relevant tax authorities.
The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than not
to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authorities. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50%
likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, the Group classifies the interest and penalties, if any, as a component of the income tax position.
F-22
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(y)
Share based payments
Share-based payment transactions with employees are measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instrument issued, and
recognized as compensation expenses over the requisite service periods based on a straight-line method, with a corresponding impact reflected
in additional paid-in capital.
Share-based payment transactions with non-employees are accounted for as share based compensation expenses in accordance with the
guidance regarding accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring, or in conjunction with selling,
goods or services.
(z)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) and foreign currency translation adjustments. Comprehensive income (loss) is
defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances except for transactions resulting from
investments by shareholders and distributions to shareholders.
(aa)
Allowance of doubtful accounts
The Group conducts credit evaluations of clients and generally do not require collateral or other security from clients. The Group establishes
an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon estimates, historical experience and other factors surrounding the credit risk of specific clients.
The amount of receivables ultimately not collected by the Group has generally been consistent with expectations and the allowance
established for doubtful accounts. If the frequency and amount of customer defaults change due to the clients' financial condition or general
economic conditions, the allowance for uncollectible accounts may require adjustment. As a result, the Group continuously monitors
outstanding receivables and adjust allowances for accounts where collection may be in doubt.
(bb)
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. The
Group places their cash with financial institutions with high-credit rating and quality.
The Group conducts credit evaluations of customers and generally do not require collateral or other security from their customers. The Group
establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based upon the age of the receivables and factors relevant to determining the credit
risk of specific customers. The amount of receivables ultimately not collected by the Group has generally been consistent with management's
expectations and the allowance established for doubtful accounts.
F-23
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(bb)
Concentration of credit risk - continued
There was no customer, which accounted for 10% or more of total revenues, for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010,
respectively and there was no customer accounting for 10% or more of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
(cc)
Net income/(loss) per share
Basic net income/(loss) per share are computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to holders of ordinary shares by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income/(loss) reflects the potential dilution that could occur if
securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares (common stock options and warrants and their equivalents using the treasury stock
method) were exercised or converted into ordinary shares. Potential common shares in the diluted net income/(loss) per share computation are
excluded in periods of losses from continuing operations, as their effect would be antidilutive.
(dd)
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In October 2009, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement regarding revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. This
pronouncement was issued in response to practice concerns related to accounting for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables under
the existing pronouncement. Although the new pronouncement retains the criteria from the existing pronouncement for when delivered items
in a multiple- deliverable arrangement should be considered separate units of accounting, it removes the separation criterion under the existing
pronouncement that objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of any undelivered items must exist for the delivered items to be
considered a separate unit or separate units of accounting. The new pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15,
2010. Entities can elect to apply this pronouncement prospectively to new or materially modified arrangements after the pronouncement's
effective date or retrospectively for all periods presented. Early application is permitted; however, if the entity elects prospective application
and early adopts this pronouncement after its first interim reporting period, it must also retrospectively apply this pronouncement as of the
beginning of that fiscal year and disclose the effect of the retrospective adjustments on the prior interim periods' revenue, income before taxes,
net income, and net income/(loss) per share. The Group is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this pronouncement.
F-24
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(dd)
Recently issued accounting standards - continued
In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to improve disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance amends
previous guidance on fair value measurements to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and
separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurement on a gross basis rather than on a net
basis as currently required. This guidance also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and
valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009,
except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activities of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be
effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Early application is permitted and, in the period of initial
adoption, entities are not required to provide the amended disclosures for any previous periods presented for comparative purposes. The
Group does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2010, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement regarding milestone method of revenue recognition. The scope of this
pronouncement is limited to arrangements that include milestones relating to research or development deliverables. The pronouncement
specifies guidance that must be met for a vendor to recognize consideration that is contingent upon achievement of a substantive milestone in
its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. The guidance applies to milestones in arrangements within the scope of this
pronouncement regardless of whether the arrangement is determined to have single or multiple deliverables or units of accounting. The
pronouncement will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early application
is permitted. Companies can apply this guidance prospectively to milestones achieved after adoption. However, retrospective application to all
prior periods is also permitted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this pronouncement.
In April 2010, FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement regarding the effect of denominating the exercise price of a share-based payment
award in the currency of the market in which the underlying equity securities trades and that currency is different from (1) entity's functional
currency, (2) functional currency of the foreign operation for which the employee provides services, and (3) payroll currency of the employee.
The guidance clarifies that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which
a substantial portion of the entity's equity securities trades should be considered an equity award assuming all other criteria for equity
classification are met. The pronouncement will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010, and will
be applied prospectively. Affected entities will be required to record a cumulative catch-up adjustment for all awards outstanding as of the
beginning of the annual period in which the guidance is adopted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this
pronouncement.
F-25
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
(dd)
Recently issued accounting standards - continued
In December 2010, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement on when to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting
units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The amendments in this update modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is
required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining
whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors
indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a
reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not
reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. For public entities, the guidance is effective for impairment tests performed
during entities' fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) that begin after December 15, 2010. Early adoption will not be permitted.
For nonpublic entities, the guidance is effective for impairment tests performed during entities' fiscal years (and interim periods within those
years) that begin after December 15, 2011. Early application for nonpublic entities is permitted; nonpublic entities that elect early application
will use the same effective date as that for public entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a
significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
In December 2010, the FASB issued an authoritative pronouncement on disclosure of supplementary pro forma information for business
combinations. The objective of this guidance is to address diversity in practice regarding the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and
earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The amendments in this update specify that if a public entity presents
comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business
combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.
The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material,
nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable t the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.
The amendments affect any public entity as defined by Topic 805 that enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or
aggregate basis. The amendments will be effective for business combinations consummated in periods beginning after December 15, 2010,
and should be applied prospectively as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this
pronouncement to have a significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
F-26
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
SEGMENT INFORMATION AND REVENUE ANALYSIS
3.
The Group is mainly engaged in selling advertising time slots on their network, primarily air travel advertising network, throughout PRC.
The Group chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews consolidated results when making
decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group; hence, the Group has only one operating segment. The Group has
internal reporting that does not distinguish between markets or segments.
Geographic information
The Group primarily operates in the PRC and substantially all of the Group's long-lived assets are located in the PRC.
Revenue by service categories
Revenues:
Air Travel Media Network:
Digital frames in airports
Digital TV screens in airports
Digital TV screens on airplanes
Traditional media in airports
Other revenues in air travel
Gas station Media Network
Other Media
2008
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
F-27
45,011 $
47,591
19,227
6,490
7,221
-
-
66,255 $
37,260
17,082
27,192
4,639
102
-
125,540 $
152,530 $
113,196
28,905
27,564
48,418
4,063
3,664
10,650
236,460
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION
(a)
Acquisition of Advertising Business on Gate Bridges in Airports
In July 2008, the Group acquired 100% of the equity interest in Excel Lead and 80% of the equity interest in Flying Dragon, which operate the
advertising business on gate bridges in 10 airports in mainland China. The transaction further expanded the Group's air travel advertising
network to cover the advertising business on gate bridges in airports, and diversified its media resources to include billboard advertisements.
The consideration for the acquisitions comprised of:
1
2
Cash of $1,789
Contingent consideration based on the after-tax net profit of the acquired business for each of the periods from July 1, 2008 to
December 31, 2008 and of the years of 2009 and 2010. The maximum amount payable under such arrangements was $27,257 in cash
and 1,530,950 ordinary shares of AirMedia, or, at the sole discretion of the selling shareholders, up to $39,653 in cash only.
The transaction was considered as an acquisition of a business and accordingly the purchase method of accounting has been applied. The
acquired net assets were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date.
The 20% interest held by other shareholders of Flying Dragon was recorded as non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheets and
statements of operations.
The purchase price for the acquisitions was allocated as follows:
Cash acquired
Accounts receivable
Other current assets
Property and equipment
Intangible assets:
Customer relationships
Contract backlog
Concession agreements
Non-compete agreements
Deferred revenue
Other current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Noncontrolling interests
Total consideration
Amortization
period
3.4 years
1.2 years
3.8 years
4.4 years
$
2,351
149
3,498
12
699
1,461
2,547
172
(3,076)
(73)
(1,220)
(571)
$
5,949
F-28
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued
(a)
Acquisition of Advertising Business on Gate Bridges in Airports - continued
The total consideration in the above table represents the sum of the initial cash paid of $1,789 and an amount of $4,160 as a liability in respect
of the contingent consideration. Under an authoritative accounting pronouncement as it applied at the time of the transaction, generally
contingent consideration was not recognized until the contingency was resolved except where it was necessary to recognize an amount as a
liability in order to prevent any negative goodwill being recognized initially on an acquisition where contingent consideration was payable.
The Group also made an advance payment of $6,334 to the selling shareholders on the date of acquisition. The advance payment was interest-
free without collateral and to be used as offset against any payments of contingent consideration that became due.
The amount of contingent consideration, based on the after-tax net profit of the acquired business in the second half of 2008, was finally
determined to be $2,340 in 2008, which was offset against the advance payment as set out in the preceding paragraph.
The amount of contingent consideration, based on the after-tax net profit of the acquired business in 2009 and 2010, was finally determined to
be $6,507 and $2,868 in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The excess of contingent consideration over consideration payable in respect of the
acquisition of $4,687 and $2,868 was recorded as an addition to goodwill in 2009 and 2010, respectively (see Note 11).
See following for the movement of the advance payment in connection with the business acquisition of advertising business on gate bridges in
airports and contingent consideration liability accounts:
As of July 2008 (date of acquisition)
Contingent consideration for 2008
Balance as of December 31, 2008
Contingent consideration for 2009
Balance as of December 31, 2009
Contingent consideration paid in 2010
Contingent consideration for 2010
Exchange difference
Balance as of December 31, 2010
Advance payment
in connection
with business
acquisition
Contingent
consideration
liability
6,334 $
(2,340)
3,994
(6,507)
(2,513)
2,415
(2,868)
-
(2,966) $
(4,160)
2,340
(1,820)
6,507
4,687
-
2,868
245
7,800
$
$
F-29
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued
(a)
Acquisition of Advertising Business on Gate Bridges in Airports - continued
The following unaudited pro forma information summarizes the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 of the Group as
if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2008. The following pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results
that would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period indicated, nor is it indicative of future operating
results:
Pro forma revenues
Pro forma net income
Pro forma net income per ordinary share-basic
Pro forma net income per ordinary share-diluted
(b)
Acquisition of Dominant City and Youtong
For the year
ended December 31, 2008
(unaudited)
$
132,096
32,061
0.23
0.22
In July 2009, the Group acquired 100% of the equity interests in Dominant City and Youtong, which operate various media resources in a
number of airports including Guangzhou and Hangzhou airports in the PRC, with a cash consideration of $7,829. The transaction further
expanded the concession rights of the Group, and expanded the Group's air travel advertising network in more airports in the PRC.
The transaction was considered as an acquisition of a business and accordingly the purchase method of accounting has been applied. The
acquired net assets were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The acquired goodwill is not deductible for tax
purposes.
F-30
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued
(b)
Acquisition of Dominant City and Youtong - continued
The purchase price for the acquisitions was allocated as follows:
Cash acquired
Other current assets
Property and equipment
Intangible assets:
Concession agreements
Deferred revenue
Other current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Goodwill
Amortization
period
5 years
$
1,759
82
217
4,525
(15)
(1,988)
(1,131)
4,380
Total consideration
$
The following unaudited pro forma information summarizes the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 of the
Group as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The following pro forma financial information is not
necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period indicated, nor
is it indicative of future operating results:
7,829
Pro forma revenues
Pro forma net income/(loss)
Pro forma net income/(loss) per ordinary share-basic
Pro forma net income/(loss) per ordinary share-diluted
F-31
For the years
ended December 31,
2008
(unaudited)
2009
(unaudited)
$
125,700 $
28,619
0.21
0.21
152,551
(38,045)
(0.29)
(0.29)
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued
(c)
Acquisition of Easy Shop and AM Outdoor
In January 2010, the Group acquired 100% of the equity interest in Easy Shop Ltd. and the additional 90% of the equity interest in AM
Outdoor, with cash considerations of $13,935. The fair value of the acquired entities was of $15,223. The Group held 10% equity interest in
AM Outdoor before the transaction as set out in Note 6.
The transaction was considered as a business acquisition achieved in stages and accordingly the purchase method of accounting has been
applied. The acquired net assets were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The acquired goodwill is not deductible
for tax purposes.
The purchase price for the acquisitions was preliminarily allocated as follows:
Cash acquired
Other current assets
Property and equipment
Intangible assets:
Contract backlog
Customer relationship
Concession agreements
Current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Goodwill
Total
Represented by:
Cash consideration
Remeasurement of fair value of previously
held 10% interest
Total
Amortization
period
3 years
3 years
7 years
$
$
209
16,559
67
340
677
7,646
(15,299)
(2,166)
7,190
15,223
13,935
1,288
15,223
The fair value of the total equity interests of AM Outdoor, including the existing 10% and the newly acquired 90% interest on the acquisition
date was evaluated. The remeasurement of fair value of previously held 10% interest was $1,288, resulting in a gain of $1,139 in the
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.
F-32
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued
(c)
Acquisition of Easy Shop and AM Outdoor - continued
The following unaudited pro forma information summarizes the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 of the
Group as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The following pro forma financial information is not
necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period indicated, nor
is it indicative of future operating results:
Pro forma revenues
Pro forma net loss
Pro forma net loss per ordinary share-basic
Pro forma net loss per ordinary share-diluted
For the years
ended December 31,
2009
(unaudited)
2010
(unaudited)
$
158,988 $
(37,053)
(0.28)
(0.28)
236,460
(4,917)
(0.04)
(0.04)
(d)
Acquisition of Dongding
In February 2010, the Group acquired an additional 45% of the equity interest in Dongding, with cash considerations of $899. The fair value
of the acquired entity was of $1,811. The Group held 30% equity interest in the entity before the transaction as set out in Note 6.
The transaction was considered as a business acquisition achieved in stages and accordingly the purchase method of accounting has been
applied. The acquired net assets were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The acquired goodwill is not deductible
for tax purposes.
F-33
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued
(d)
Acquisition of Dongding - continued
The purchase price was preliminarily allocated as follows:
Cash acquired
Other current assets
Property and equipment
Intangible assets:
Concession agreements
Current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Goodwill
Total
Represented by:
Cash consideration
Remeasurement of fair value of previously held 30% interest
Fair value of 25% noncontrolling interest
Total
Amortization
period
10 years
$
3
36
102
1,798
(611)
(449)
932
1,811
498
899
414
$
1,811
The fair value of the total equity interests of Dongding, including the existing 30% and the newly acquired 45% interest and the 25% non-
controlling interest on the acquisition date were evaluated. The remeasurement of fair value of previously held 30% interest was $498,
resulting in a loss of $220 in the statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.
The following unaudited pro forma information summarizes the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 of the
Group as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The following pro forma financial information is not
necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period indicated, nor
is it indicative of future operating results:
Pro forma revenues
Pro forma net loss
Pro forma net loss per ordinary share-basic
Pro forma net loss per ordinary share-diluted
F-34
For the years
ended December 31,
2009
(unaudited)
2010
(unaudited)
$
153,304 $
(37,449)
(0.29)
(0.29)
236,491
(4,956)
(0.04)
(0.04)
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
5.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT
The Group did not hold trading or held-to-maturity investments as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
As of December 31, 2009, the Group's available-for-sale securities consist of an investment portfolio issued by a major financial institution in China.
The portfolio can be redeemable at anytime within the three-year term at an amount equal to the principal plus accumulated interests calculated at
daily interest rates announced by the financial institution and quoted prices in active markets for the portfolio exist. Accordingly, the fair value of the
security is measured based on Level 1 input. The security was carried at the cost of $586 as of December 31, 2009, which approximated its fair value
due to the short period from the date of purchase to December 31, 2009.
6.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
Equity method investments
(a)
The Group had the following equity method investments:
Name of company
Beijing Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd. ("BEMC") (1)
Beijing Dongding Gongyi Advertising Media Ltd. ("Dongding") (2)
As of December 31,
2009
2010
Percentage
%
Carrying
value
Percentage
Carrying
value
%
49 $
30
1,112
726
49 $
-
1,335
-
$
1,838
$
1,335
F-35
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
6.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS - continued
Equity method investments - continued
(a)
(1)
In March 2008, the Group entered into a definitive agreement with China Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd., a subsidiary of China
Eastern Group and China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited operating the media resources of China Eastern Group, to establish a
joint venture, BEMC. BEMC was incorporated on March 18, 2008 in the PRC with China Eastern Media Corporation and the Group
holding 51% and 49% equity interest, respectively. BEMC obtained concession rights of certain media resources from China Eastern
Group, including the digital TV screens on airplanes of China Eastern Airlines, and paid concession fees to its shareholders as
consideration. The total paid-in capital of BEMC was $2,119, which was contributed by both parties proportionately.
The investment was accounted for using the equity method of accounting as the Group has the ability to exercise the significant
influence to the operation of BEMC.
(2)
In October 2009, the Group acquired 30% of the equity interest in Dongding, with a cash consideration of $721. Dongding has
exclusive rights obtained from the Fire Department of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau to build and operate billboards
for public service advertising in various locations in Beijing. The Group accounted for the investment using equity method of
accounting as the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence to the investee.
In February 2010, AirMedia acquired an additional 45% of the equity interest in Dongding as set out in more detail in Note 4.
F-36
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
6.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS - continued
Equity method investments - continued
(a)
The financial statement amounts and balances of the equity method investments as shown in its financial statements were as follows:
Total current assets
Total assets
Total current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total net revenue
Net income
As of and for the
years ended December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
3,299
3,459
1,630
1,630
6,292
341
3,373
3,434
708
708
10,635
370
The Group shared income of $164 and $290 from the equity method investments for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010,
respectively.
(b)
Cost method investment
On December 4, 2008, the Group incorporated AM Outdoor with other investors and held 10% of the equity interest in this entity with a cash
capital contribution of $146. The investment was accounted for using the cost method of accounting. In January 2010, the Group acquired the
remaining 90% of the equity interest in AM Outdoor as set out in more detail in Note 4. Dividends of $1,209 were distributed in the year
ended December 31, 2010.
In June 2010, the Group invested in Zhangshangtong Air Service (Beijing) Co., Ltd. ("Zhangshangtong") for its 20% equity interest, with a
cash contribution of $367. The investment was accounted for using the cost method of accounting as the Group has no ability to exercise
significant influence over the operation of Zhangshangtong.
7.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable, net, consists of the following:
Billed receivable
Unbilled receivable
As of December 31,
2009
2010
10,163
29,856
40,019
$
$
32,576
29,879
62,455
$
$
F-37
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
7.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET - continued
Unbilled receivable represents amounts earned under the advertising contracts in progress but not billable at the respective balance sheet dates. These
amounts become billable according to the contract term. The Group anticipates that substantially all of such unbilled amounts will be billed and
collected within twelve months of the balance sheet dates.
Movement of allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
Balance at
beginning
of the year
Charge to
expenses
Write off
Exchange
adjustment
Balance at
end of the
year
2008
2009
2010
8.
$
$
$
455
1,521
14,843
1,027
13,573
2,223
-
(252)
-
39 $
1 $
580 $
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets consist of the follows:
Short-term deposits
Advances to employees
VAT refund receivable
Prepaid agency fees
Prepaid insurance premium
Interest receivable
Other prepaid expenses
As of December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
$
1,934
287
673
223
164
141
647
4,069
$
Short-term deposits primarily consist of prepaid deposit for leasing office space and bidding for concession rights.
F-38
1,521
14,843
17,646
1,203
340
119
300
99
82
570
2,713
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
9.
LONG-TERM DEPOSITS
Long term deposits consist of the follows:
Concession fee deposits
Office rental deposits
$
As of December 31,
2009
2010
$
15,400
514
15,914
13,338
536
13,874
$
Concession fee deposits normally have terms of three to five years and are refundable at the end of the concession terms. Office rental deposits
normally have terms of two to three years and are refundable at the end of the lease term.
$
The long term deposits are not within the scope of the accounting guidance regarding interests on receivables and payables, because they are intended
to provide security for the counterparty to the concession rights or office rental agreements. Therefore, the deposits are recorded at costs.
10.
ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Acquired intangible assets, net, consist of the following:
2009
2010
As of December 31,
Net
Gross
carrying Accumulated carrying carrying Accumulated
carrying
amount amortization amount amount amortization Impairment amount
Gross
Net
TV program license
Audio-vision programming and broadcasting qualification (1)
Intangible assets arising from business combinations:
- Customer relationships
- Contract backlog
- Concession agreements
- Non-compete agreements
$
5,651 $
203
701
1,465
7,083
172
$ 15,275 $
F-39
(911)$
(6)
4,740 $
197
5,845 $
210
(292)
(1,465)
(1,405)
(55)
1,425
1,867
17,093
178
(4,134)$ 11,141 $ 26,618 $
409
-
5,678
117
(1,235)$
(17)
(749)
(1,632)
(4,384)
(98)
(8,115)$
- $
-
4,610
193
-
-
(1,007)
-
676
235
11,702
80
(1,007)$ 17,496
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
10.
ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET - continued
(1)
On May 31, 2009, the Group, through AM Advertising, acquired 100% equity interest of Shengshi Lixin with cash consideration of $879.
Shengshi Lixin had no material assets and liabilities except cash and was inactive other than holding an audio-vision programming and
broadcasting qualification, which is authorized by China Internet Network Information Center. The qualification allows broadcasting audio-
vision programs (news, movie and television plays, sports, technology and other entertainment programs other than advertisement) in wired
televisions in airports and on airlines. Accordingly, the purchase was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The following table presents the
allocation of the acquisition costs:
Amortization
period
Total consideration
Less: cash acquired
Add: current liabilities assumed
Cost allocated to Audio-vision programming and Broadcasting qualification
Plus: deferred income tax liabilities recognized
Total acquired intangible asset cost initially recognized
$
$
879
(733)
17
163
40
203
19.5 years
The amortization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were $1,170, $2,613 and $3,749, respectively. The Group
expects to record amortization expenses of $3,740, $3,102, $2,445, $1,976, $1,508 and $4,725 for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and
thereafter, respectively.
11. GOODWILL
The movement of the goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
Balance as of January 1, 2010
Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions of:
Flying Dragon and Excel Lead upon contingent consideration payment (Note 4(a))
AM Outdoor and Easy Shop (Note 4(c))
Dongding (Note 4(d))
Exchange differences
Balance as of December 31, 2010
F-40
$
$
9,087
2,868
7,190
932
659
20,736
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
12.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net, consist of the following:
Digital display network equipment
Gas station display network equipment
Furniture and fixture
Computer and office equipment
Vehicle
Software
Property
Leasehold improvement
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
As of December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
78,643 $
5,157
697
1,841
874
7,336
2,255
1,096
97,899
(19,068)
78,831
$
84,865
8,666
781
2,185
1,075
9,923
2,332
1,374
111,201
(39,481)
71,720
Depreciation and amortization expenses recorded for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were $4,375, $13,900 and $19,730,
respectively.
13.
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the follows:
As of December 31,
2009
2010
Accrued payroll and welfare
Other tax payable
Consideration payable in connection with a business acquisition (Note 4)
Deposit payable
Deferred income from JP Morgan
Others liabilities
3,064
1,753
2,966
1,640
1,325
1,505
12,253
Others liabilities primarily consist of professional fee, staff disbursement, social insurance and miscellaneous operating expenses incurred but not yet
paid.
2,662
(218)
2,513
662
518
999
7,136
$
$
$
$
F-41
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
14.
INCOME TAXES
AirMedia is a tax-exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
Broad Cosmos and Excel Lead are tax-exempted company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
Royal HK and Glorious Star did not have any assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009
and 2010, and accordingly no provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax was made in these years.
The Group's subsidiaries in the PRC are all subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax ("EIT") on the taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC
income tax laws and regulations. EIT rate for companies operating in the PRC was generally 33% prior to January 1, 2008. On March 16, 2007, the
National People's Congress adopted the Enterprise Income Tax Law (the "New EIT Law"), which became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT rate
was generally reduced to 25% in accordance with the New EIT Law since 2008.
AM Technology qualified for the New and High-Tech Enterprise ("HNTE") status that would allow for a reduced 15% tax rate under EIT Law since
year 2006. AM Technology also qualified as a HNTE located in a high-tech zone in Beijing and, therefore, was further entitled to a three-year
exemption from EIT from year 2006 to 2008 and a preferential rate of 7.5% from year 2009 to 2010.
Shenzhen AM is subject to EIT on the taxable income at the gradual rate, which is 18% in 2008, 20% in 2009, 22% in 2010, 24% in 2011, and 25% in
2012, respectively, according to transitional rules of the New EIT Law. Since Shenzhen AM is also qualified as a "manufacturing foreign-invested
enterprise" incorporated prior to the effectiveness of the New EIT Law, it is further entitled to a two-year exemption from EIT for years 2008 and
2009 and preferential rates of 11%, 12% and 12.5% for the year 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Hainan Jinhui is subject to EIT on the taxable income at the gradual rate, which is 18% in 2008, 20% in 2009, 22% in 2010, 24% in 2011, and 25% in
2012, respectively, according to transitional rules of the New EIT Law.
Xi'an AM qualified as a "Software Enterprise" in August 2008 by Technology Information Bureau of Shaanxi province, and therefore is entitled to a
two-year exemption from the EIT commencing from its first profitable year and a 50% deduction of 25% EIT rate for the succeeding three years, with
approved by the relevant tax authorities.
F-42
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
14.
INCOME TAXES - continued
Income tax benefits are as follows:
Income tax benefits:
Current
Deferred
Total
2008
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
(1,268)
1,766
498
$
$
(921)
6,953
6,032
$
$
(2,792)
3,527
735
The principal components of the Group's deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Current
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Accrued payroll
Total current deferred tax assets
Non-current
Depreciation of property and equipment
Amortization of intangible assets
Prepaid concession fee
Taxable loss arising from a disposal of an equity method investment
Net operating loss carry forwards
Total deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Non-current
Acquired intangible assets
Total deferred tax liabilities
4,761
4,761
The valuation allowance provided as of December 31, 2010 relates to the net operating losses generated by Shenzhen AM, Weimei Lianhe, Shengshi
Lixin and AM Jinshi, and was recognized based on the Group's estimates of the future taxable income of these entities.
3,155
3,155
$
$
F-43
As of December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
3,693
-
3,693
400
-
1,070
198
7,753
13,114
(4,695)
8,419
4,458
592
5,050
404
2,023
(483)
205
9,584
16,783
(5,701)
11,082
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
14.
INCOME TAXES - continued
The Group's subsidiaries in the PRC had total net operating loss carry forwards of $38,525 as of December 31, 2010. The net operating loss carry
forwards for the PRC subsidiaries will expire on various dates through 2015.
Reconciliation between the provision for income taxes computed by applying the PRC EIT rate of 25% to income before income taxes and the actual
provision of income taxes is as follows:
Net income/(loss) before provision for income taxes
PRC statutory tax rate
Income tax at statutory tax rate
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes:
Entertainment expenses exceeded the tax limit
Others
Non taxable income
Changes in valuation allowance
Effect of income tax holidays in subsidiaries, VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries in the PRC
Effect of income tax rate difference in other jurisdictions
Income tax benefits
Effective tax rates
207
(331)
(256)
1,006
(1,501)
2,292
(735)
8.5%
If the Group's subsidiaries, VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries in the PRC were not in a tax holiday period in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and
2010, the impact to net income/(loss) per share amounts would be as follows:
62
19
-
-
(9,217)
1,036
(498)
$
(1.6)%
172
38
(290)
4,695
(1,392)
1,551
(6,032) $
14.0%
$
For the years ended December 31,
2008
2009
2010
$
30,407
25%
7,602
$
(43,224) $
25%
(10,806)
(8,608)
25%
(2,152)
Increase in income tax expenses
Decrease in net income/(loss) per ordinary share-basic
Decrease in net income/(loss) per ordinary share-diluted
F-44
2008
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2010
$
$
9,217
0.07
0.07
$
1,392
0.01
0.01
1,501
0.01
0.01
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
14.
INCOME TAXES - continued
The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Group did not incur any
interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and also believed that
the adoption of pronouncement issued by FASB regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes did not have a significant impact on the
unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months from December 31, 2010.
Since the commencement of operations in August 2005, the relevant tax authorities of the Group's subsidiaries in the PRC have not conducted a tax
examination. As such, the Group's subsidiaries, VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries are subject to tax audits at the tax authority's discretion.
Uncertainties exist with respect to how the current income tax law in the PRC applies to the Group's overall operations, and more specifically, with
regard to tax residency status. New EIT Law includes a provision specifying that legal entities organized outside of China will be considered residents
for Chinese income tax purposes if the place of effective management or control is within China. The Implementation Rules to the New EIT Law
provide that non-resident legal entities will be considered China residents if substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing
and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc, occurs within China. Additional guidance is expected to be released by the Chinese
government in the near future that may clarify how to apply this standard to taxpayers. Despite the present uncertainties resulting from the limited
PRC tax guidance on the issue, the Group does not believe that its legal entities organized outside of China should be treated as residents for New EIT
Law purposes. If the PRC tax authorities subsequently determine that the Company and its subsidiaries registered outside the PRC should be deemed
resident enterprises, the Company and its subsidiaries registered outside the PRC will be subject to the PRC income tax at a rate of 25%.
Under applicable accounting principles, a deferred tax liability should be recorded for taxable temporary differences attributable to the excess of
financial report over tax basis, including those differences attributable to a more than 50% interest in a subsidiary. However, the Company's
subsidiaries located in the PRC had been in loss position and had accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, and the tax basis for the
investment was greater than the carrying value of this investment. Under US GAAP, a deferred tax asset should be recognized for this temporary
difference only if it is apparent that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future. Absent of evidence of a reversal in the foreseeable
future, no deferred tax asset for such temporary difference was recorded.
Aggregate undistributed earnings of the Company's subsidiaries located in the PRC that are available for distribution to the Company are considered
to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly, no provision has been made for the Chinese dividend withholding taxes that would be payable upon the
distribution of those amounts to the Company. The Chinese tax authorities have also clarified that distributions made out of pre January 1, 2008
retained earnings will not be subject to the withholding tax.
F-45
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
15.
NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE
The calculation of the net income/(loss) per share is as follows:
For the years ended December 31,
2010
2009
2008
Net income/(loss) attributable to AirMedia Group Inc.'s ordinary shareholders (numerator)
Shares (denominator):
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net income/(loss) per ordinary share - basic
131,252,115
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net income/(loss) per ordinary share - diluted 137,782,135(i) 131,320,730(i) 131,252,115
(0.04)
Net income/(loss) per ordinary share-basic
(0.04)
Net income/(loss) per ordinary share-diluted
(0.28) $
(0.28)
0.23 $
0.22
131,320,730
133,603,419
(37,239) $
30,198 $
(4,917)
$
$
(i)
The Group had securities outstanding which could potentially dilute basic net income/(loss) per share, but which were excluded from the
computation of diluted net income/(loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, as their effects would have been
anti-dilutive. For year 2008, 2009 and 2010, such outstanding securities consisted of stock options of a weighted average number of
2,320,767, 9,578,559 and 14,408,559, respectively.
The calculation of the weighted average number of ordinary shares in year 2008 for the purpose of diluted net income per share has included
the effect of stock of a weighted average number of 7,874,013 which gives rise to an incremental weighted average number of 4,178,716
ordinary shares from the assumed conversion of these stock options using the treasury stock method.
16.
STOCK BASED PAYMENTS
2007 Stock incentive plan
On July 2, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted the 2007 share incentive plan (the "2007 Option Plan") , which allows the Group to grant options to
its employees and directors to purchase up to 12,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company subject to vesting requirement. On December 29, 2008, the
Board of Directors amended 2007 Option Plan to allow the Group to grant options to its employees and directors to purchase up to 17,000,000
ordinary shares. On July 2, 2007, The Group awarded options to the Company's four senior executives (the "Senior Executive Options") and certain
other officers and employees (the " Employee Options") to purchase an aggregate of 4,600,000 and 3,125,000 ordinary shares of the Company,
respectively, with a contract life of 10 years, at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. One twelfth of the Senior Executive Options vests each quarter
until July 2, 2010.
F-46
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
16.
STOCK BASED PAYMENTS - continued
2007 Stock incentive plan - continued
On July 20, 2007, the Board of Directors decided to remove the vesting clause that the vesting of the Employee Options is subject to management's
determination on whether the grantee passes the evaluation of the performance of each vesting period. After this modification, the vesting of these
Employee Options is only subject to services and one twelfth of the Employee Options vest each quarter until July 20, 2010. Therefore, July 20, 2007
was treated as the grant date of the Employee Options.
On July 20, 2007, the Board of Directors also granted options to certain consultants (the "Consultant Options") to purchase an aggregate of 340,000
ordinary shares of the Company at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. The contract life is 10 years. The Consultant Options have the same vesting
schedule with the Employee Options.
On November 29, 2007, the Board of Directors granted options to the Company's non-employee directors, employees and consultants to purchase an
aggregate of 2,330,000 ordinary shares of the Company, at an exercise price of $8.50 per share. The contract life is 5 years. One twelfth of the Options
vests each quarter until November 29, 2010.
On December 10, 2008, the Board of Directors voted to adjust the exercise price of the stock options which were granted on November 29, 2007 from
$8.50 per share to $2.98 per share. The fair value of the options on December 10, 2008, the modification date, was $1.38 per option calculated using
the Black-Scholes model based on the closing market price of the ordinary shares of the Company on the date. The incremental compensation cost of
the re-priced options was $1,727, with totalling $626 recognized as compensation cost during 2008, and $1,101 to be recognized as expense over the
remaining vesting period.
On July 10, 2009, the Board of Directors granted options to Company's non-employee directors, employees and consultants to purchase an aggregate
of 5,434,500 ordinary shares of the Company, at an exercise price of $2.69 per share. The contractual term of the option is of 5 years. One twelfth of
the Options will vest each quarter until July 10, 2012.
On June 30, 2010, the Board of Directors voted to adjust the exercise price of the stock options which were granted on July 2, 2007, July 20, 2007,
November 29, 2007 and July 10, 2009 from $2.00, $2.00, $2.98 and $2.69 per share respectively to $1.57 per share. The fair value of the options on
June 30, 2010, the modification date, was $0.47, $0.47, $0.51, $0.70 per option respectively, calculated using the Black-Scholes model based on the
closing market price of the ordinary shares of the Company on the date. The incremental compensation cost of the re-priced options was $2,666, with
totalling $2,018 recognized as compensation cost during 2010, and $648 to be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period.
F-47
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
16.
STOCK BASED PAYMENTS - continued
2007 Stock incentive plan - continued
The following tables summarize information regarding the stock options granted/modified:
Date of grant
Options
granted
Exercise price
per option
Fair value per
ordinary share at
the grant dates
(Before 2010
modification)
Intrinsic value
per option at the
grant dates
Exercise price
per option
Fair value per
ordinary share at
the grant dates
(After 2010
modification)
Intrinsic value
per option at the
grant dates
July 2, 2007
July 20, 2007
December 10, 2008
July 10, 2009
Total
4,600,000 $
3,465,000 $
2,330,000 $
5,434,500 $
15,829,500
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.98 $
2.69 $
1.92
1.92
2.98
2.69
- $
- $
- $
- $
1.57 $
1.57 $
1.57 $
1.57 $
1.57
1.57
1.57
1.57
-
-
-
-
2009
Weighted average
Number of
options
exercise price
per option
Number of
options
2010
Weighted average
exercise price
per option
Outstanding at beginning of the year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Outstanding at end of the year
Shares vested and exercisable at end of year
9,902,052 $
5,434,500
(620,710)
(160,502)
14,555,340
6,780,798
2.22
2.69
2.06
2.80
2.40
14,555,340 $
-
(730,774)
(84,086)
13,740,480
10,570,355
2.40
-
1.59
1.96
1.57(1)
(1)
The weighted average exercise price per option as of December 31, 2010 has reflected the impact of the exercise price adjustment made in the
modifications as set out in the preceding paragraph.
As of December 31, 2010, 3,170,125 options to purchase ordinary shares were to be vested.
F-48
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
16.
STOCK BASED PAYMENTS - continued
2007 Stock incentive plan - continued
The following table summarizes information with respect to stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2010:
Options outstanding
Options vested and exercisable
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life
Weighted
average
exercise
price per
option
Aggregate
intrinsic
value as of
December 31,
2010
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life
Weighted
average
exercise
price per
option
Number
vested and
exercisable
Aggregate
intrinsic
value as of
December 31,
2010
Number
outstanding
Ordinary shares
13,740,480
4.79 $
1.57 $
25,763
10,570,355
5.16 $
1.57 $
19,819
As of December 31, 2010, options to purchase 1,513,422 ordinary shares were available for future grant.
The fair value of the options as of their respective grant/modification dates is as follows:
2009
2010
For the years
ended December 31,
Options
$
1.44
$
1.57
The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant/modification using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions used for grants during the applicable period.
Risk-free interest rate of return
Expected term
Volatility
Dividend yield
2009
2.40%
3.31 years
77.09%
For the years
ended December 31,
2010
2.03%-2.58%
1.0-2.4 years
73.48%-113.84%
F-49
-
-
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
16.
STOCK BASED PAYMENTS - continued
2007 Stock incentive plan - continued
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Volatility
Expected volatility is estimated based on daily stock price of comparable company for a period with length commensurate to the expected
term since the Company lacks historic records of its own stock prices. The companies selected for reference were Focus Media Holding
Limited, Lamar Advertising Company, Clear Media Limited, Dahe Media Company Limited, and Tom Group Limited.
Risk-free rate
Risk free rate is based on yield of US treasury bill as of valuation date with maturity date close to the expected term of the options.
Expected term
The expected term is estimated by averaging the original contractual term and the vesting term.
Dividend yield
The dividend yield was estimated by the Company based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options. The Company
has no plan to pay any dividend in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Company considers the dividend yield to be zero.
Exercise price
The exercise price of the options was determined by the Company's board of directors.
Fair value of underlying ordinary shares
When estimating the fair value of the ordinary shares on the grant dates before the Initial Public Offering (the "IPO") of the Company in
November 2007, management had considered a number of factors, including the result of a third-party appraisal and equity transactions of the
Company, while taking into account standard valuation methods and the achievement of certain events. After the IPO, the closing market
price of the ordinary shares of the Company as of the grant/modification date was used as the fair value of the ordinary shares on that date.
The Group recorded share-based compensation of $4,963, $5,766 and $7,971 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010,
respectively.
There was $4,990 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share options granted as of December 31, 2010. The
expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.53 years on a straight-line basis.
F-50
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
17.
18.
19.
SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN
On December 29, 2008, AirMedia's Board of Directors authorized, but not obligated, the Group to repurchase up to $50,000 worth of its own
outstanding American Depositary Shares ("ADS"). The repurchases can be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in
negotiated transactions off the market, in block trades or otherwise. AirMedia may execute its repurchase program pursuant to a plan in conformity
with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows AirMedia to repurchase its ADSs pursuant to the pre-
determined terms under the plan at any time, including during periods in which it may be in possession of material non-public information. The timing
and extent of any purchases will depend upon market conditions, the trading price of ADSs and other factors, and be subject to the restrictions relating
to volume, price and timing in accordance with applicable laws. During the year of 2009, the Company had completely repurchased 1,646,502 ADSs,
each representing two ordinary shares, of the Company at a total cost of $7,387. The average executed price was $4.4864 per ADS.
MAINLAND CHINA CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government-mandated multiemployer defined contribution plan pursuant to which
certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. PRC
labour regulations require the Group to accrue for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees' income. The total contribution for
such employee benefits were $1,270, $2,029 and $2,779 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
STATUTORY RESERVES
As stipulated by the relevant law and regulations in the PRC, the Group's subsidiaries in the PRC are required to maintain non-distributable statutory
surplus reserve. Appropriations to the statutory surplus reserve are required to be made at not less than 10% of profit after taxes as reported in the
subsidiaries' statutory financial statements prepared under the PRC GAAP. Once appropriated, these amounts are not available for future distribution
to owners or shareholders. Once the general reserve is accumulated to 50% of the subsidiaries' registered capital, the subsidiaries can choose not to
provide more reserves. The statutory reserve may be applied against prior year losses, if any, and may be used for general business expansion and
production and increase in registered capital of the subsidiaries. Amounts contributed to the statutory reserve were $1,319 and $759 for the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, the aggregate amounts of capital and reserves restricted which
represented the amount of net assets of the relevant subsidiaries in the Group not available for distribution was $206,736.
F-51
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
20.
COMMITMENTS
Rental leases
(a)
The Group has entered into operating lease agreements principally for its office spaces in the PRC. These leases expire through 2015 and are
renewable upon negotiation. Rental expenses under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were $1,368,
$1,915 and $2,626, respectively.
Future minimum rental lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases agreements were as follows:
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
(b)
$
$
1,807
564
126
118
49
2,664
Concession fees
The Group has entered into concession right agreements with vendors, such as airports, airlines and a petroleum company. The contract terms
of such concession rights are usually three to five years. The concession rights expire through 2015 and are renewable upon negotiation.
Concession fees charged into statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were $45,704, $110,075 and
$134,293, respectively.
Future minimum concession fee payments under non-cancellable concession right agreements were as follows:
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016 and thereafter
$
$
F-52
156,669
110,902
64,747
54,704
39,558
40,537
467,117
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
20.
21.
COMMITMENTS - continued
(c)
Capital commitments
The Group has entered into purchase agreements with vendors for media equipment in airports and gas stations. The minimum purchase
payments under non-cancellable purchase agreements were $6,715, nil, nil, $15, nil, and $50 for the years ending December 31, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and thereafter, respectively.
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
(a)
Outdoor advertisement registration certificate
On May 22, 2006, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, a governmental authority in the PRC, amended the
Provisions on the Registration Administration of Outdoor Advertisements, or the new outdoor advertisement provisions. Pursuant to the
amended outdoor advertisement provisions, advertisements placed inside or outside of the "departure halls" of airports are treated as outdoor
advertisements and must be registered in accordance with the local SAIC by "advertising distributors". To ensure that the Group's airport
operations comply with the applicable PRC laws and regulations, the Group is in the process of making inquiries with the local SAICs in the
cities in which the Group has operations or intends to operate with respect to the application for an advertising registration certificate.
However, the local SAICs with whom the Group consulted have expressed different views on whether the advertisements shown on the
Group's digital TV screens should be regarded as outdoor advertisements and how to register those advertisements. As of the date of this
annual report, only Shanghai and Beijing SAIC has accepted the Group's application and issued the outdoor advertising registration
certifications. Some local SAICs need more time to consider the implementation of the new outdoor advertising provisions. Other SAICs do
not require the Group to register. The Group intends to register with the relevant SAICs if the Group is required to do so, but the Group cannot
assure that the Group will obtain the registration certificate in compliance with the new outdoor advertisement provisions due to the
uncertainty in the implementation and enforcement of the regulations promulgated by the SAIC. If the requisite registration is not obtained,
the relevant local SAICs may require the Group to forfeit advertising income earned. They may also require the Group to discontinue
advertisements at airports where the requisite advertising registration is not obtained, which may result in a breach of one or more of the
Group's agreements with the Group's advertising clients and materially and adversely affect the Group's business and results of operations. As
of December 31, 2010, the Group did not record a provision for this matter as management believes the possibility of adverse outcome of the
matter is remote and any liability it may incur would not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements. However, it is
not possible for the Company to predict the ultimate outcome and the possible range of the potential impact of failure to obtain such disclosed
registrations and approvals primarily due to the lack of relevant data and information in the market in this industry in the past.
F-53
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
21.
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES - continued
Approval for non-advertising content
(b)
A majority of the digital frames and digital TV screens in the Group's network include programs that consist of both advertising content and
non-advertising content. On December 6, 2007, the State Administration of Radio, Film or Television, or the SARFT, a governmental
authority in the PRC, issued the Circular regarding Strengthening the Management of Public Audio-Video in Automobiles, Buildings and
Other Public Areas, or the SARFT Circular. According to the SARFT Circular, displaying audio-video programs such as television news,
films and television shows, sports, technology and entertainment through public audio-video systems located in automobiles, buildings,
airports, bus or train stations, shops, banks and hospitals and other outdoor public systems must be approved by the SARFT. The Group
intends to obtain the requisite approval of the SARFT for the Group's non-advertising content, but the Group cannot assure that the Group will
obtain such approval in compliance with this new SARFT Circular, or at all. In November 2010, the Group entered into a strategic partnership
with CCTV Mobile Media to operate the CCTV Air Channel to broadcast TV programs to air travellers in China. Under the arrangement,
CCTV Mobile Media will be responsible for program planning, production, and broadcasting. The Group will operate exclusively the
advertising business of CCTV Air TV Channel. According to the terms of the cooperation arrangement with CCTV Mobile Media, during the
cooperation period from November 29, 2010 to November 28, 2025, CCTV Mobile Media shall obtain and, from time to time, be responsible
for obtaining any approval, license and consent regarding the regulation of broadcasting and television from relevant authorities. There is no
assurance that CCTV Mobile Media will be able to obtain or maintain the requisite approval or we will be able to renew the contract with
CCTV Mobile Media when it expires. If the requisite approval is not obtained, the Group will be required to eliminate non-advertising content
from the programs included in the Group's digital frames and digital TV screens and advertisers may find the Group's network less attractive
and be unwilling to purchase advertising time slots on the Group's network. As of December 31, 2010, the Group did not record a provision
for this matter as management believes the possibility of adverse outcome of the matter is remote and any liability it may incur would not have
a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible for the Company to predict the ultimate outcome
and the possible range of the potential impact of failure to obtain such disclosed registrations and approvals primarily due to the lack of
relevant data and information in the market in this industry in the past.
F-54
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
22.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
(a)
Amount due from related parties-trading:
Details of outstanding balances with the Group's related parties as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 were as follows:
Name of related parties
Relationship
As of December 31,
2009
2010
AM Outdoor
BEMC
Cost method investment
of the Group in 2009
Equity method investment
of the Group
$
412
$
-
-
306
306
The amount due from AM Outdoor and BEMC represents the uncollected advertising revenues earned from AM Outdoor and BEMC as of December
31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
412
$
$
Amount due to related parties-trading:
Name of related parties
Relationship
As of December 31,
2009
2010
BEMC
Equity method investment
of the Group
$
$
408
408
$
$
422
422
The amount due to BMEC represents the deposits received for publishing advertisement as of December 31, 2009 and 2010.
Amount due from related parties-non trading:
Name of related parties
Relationship
As of December 31,
AM Outdoor
Cost method investment
of the Group in 2009
$
$
5,579
5,579
$
$
-
-
The amount due from AM Outdoor was with one year term due on September 24, 2010 bearing 5.31% annual interest rate, and is uncollateralized.
The interest income recorded for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $94.
F-55
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2009 AND 2010
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
22.
(b)
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
Details of related party transactions occurred for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were as follows:
Advertising revenues earned from:
Name of related parties
Relationship
BEMC
AM Outdoor
Zhangshangtong
Agency cost paid to:
Name of related parties
Equity method investment of the Group
Cost method investment of the Group in 2009
Cost method investment of the Group
Relationship
For the years ended December 31
2009
2010
2008
$
$
-
-
-
-
$
$
$
2,035
412
-
2,447
$
3,627
-
92
3,719
For the years ended December 31
2009
2008
2010
BEMC
23.
SUBSEQEUENT EVENTS
The Group has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2010 through May 5, 2011, the date the consolidated financial
statements were available to be issued:
Equity method investment of the Group
$
-
$
-
$
747
On March 22, 2011, AirMedia's Board of Directors approved to grant options to Group's employees to purchase an aggregate of 2,110,000 ordinary
shares of the Group, at an exercise price of $2.3 per share. The contractual term of the option is of 5 or 10 years. One twelfth of the options will vest
each quarter until March 22, 2014.
On March 24, 2011, AirMedia's Board of Directors authorized, but not obligated, the Group to repurchase up to $20,000 worth of its own outstanding
ADS within two years from March 21, 2011. The repurchases can be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in
negotiated transactions off the market, in block trades or otherwise from time to time. AirMedia may execute its repurchase program pursuant to a
plan in conformity with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows AirMedia to repurchase its ADSs
pursuant to the pre-determined terms under the plan at any time, including during periods in which it may be in possession of material non-public
information. The timing and extent of any purchases will depend upon market conditions, the trading price of ADSs and other factors, and be subject
to the restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in accordance with applicable laws.
F-56
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
(In U.S. dollars in thousands, except share related data)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Investment in subsidiaries
Amount due from subsidiaries
Other current assets
TOTAL ASSETS
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Amount due to subsidiaries
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity
Ordinary Shares ($0.001 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized in 2009 and 2010; 131,179,487 shares and 131,905,011
shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2010, respectively)
Additional paid in capital
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Total equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
F-57
December 31, December 31,
2009
2010
$
30,021 $
52,492
183,642
224
16,601
79,301
184,183
197
266,379
280,282
-
78
3,259
3,337
4
131
4,479
4,614
132
268,542
(15,576)
9,944
132
277,676
(20,493)
18,353
263,042
275,668
$
266,379 $
280,282
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In U.S. dollars in thousands)
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2008
2010
Operating expenses
Selling and marketing
General and administrative
Total operating expenses
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries
Interest income
$
$
(1,213)
(5,397)
(6,610)
32,813
3,995
$
(1,540)
(4,693)
(6,233)
(32,041)
1,035
Net income (loss) attributable to holders of ordinary shares$
30,198
$
F-58
(37,239)
$
(2,424)
(5,987)
(8,411)
3,354
140
(4,917)
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVEINCOME
(In U.S. dollars in thousands,except share related data)
Ordinary shares
Additional
(Accumulated
comprehensive
Shares
Amount paid in capital
deficits)
income
Total
equity
Comprehensive
income (loss)
Retained
earnings/
Accumulated
other
Balance as of January 1, 2008
Ordinary shares issued for share based compensation
Share-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net income
Balance as of December 31, 2008
Ordinary shares issued for share based compensation
Share repurchase
Share-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance as of December 31, 2009
Ordinary shares issued for share based compensation
Share-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
133,425,925 $
1,000,000
-
-
-
134,425,925
46,566
(3,293,004)
-
-
-
131,179,487
725,524
-
-
-
133 $
1
-
-
-
134
1
(3)
-
-
-
132
-
-
-
-
263,130 $
788
4,963
-
-
268,881
1,279
(7,384)
5,766
-
-
268,542
1,163
7,971
-
-
(8,535)$
-
-
-
30,198
21,663
-
-
-
-
(37,239)
(15,576)
-
-
-
(4,917)
2,877 $ 257,605
789
4,963
7,175
30,198
-
-
7,175
-
10,052
-
-
-
(108)
-
9,944
-
-
8,409
-
300,730
1,280
(7,387)
5,766
(108)
(37,239)
263,042
1,163
7,971
8,409
(4,917)
Balance as of December 31, 2010
131,905,011 $
132 $
277,676 $
(20,493)$
18,353 $ 275,668 $
F-59
7,175
30,198
37,373
(108)
(37,239)
(37,347)
8,409
(4,917)
3,492
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In U.S. dollars in thousands)
For the years ended December 31,
2009
2008
2010
$
$
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income/(loss)
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries
Share-based compensation
CHANGES IN WORKING CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
Other current assets
Accounts payable
Other current liabilities
Amount due to subsidiaries
Amount due from subsidiaries
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities.
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for acquisition of subsidiaries
Advance payment / payment for contingent consideration
in connection with a business combination
Net cash used in investing activities.
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Share repurchase
Proceeds from exercises of stock options
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net decrease in cash
Cash, at beginning of year
30,198
(32,813)
4,963
3,310
-
(1,986)
(614)
(122,689)
(119,631)
(327)
(6,334)
(6,661)
-
789
789
(125,503)
186,501
$
(37,239)
32,041
5,766
31
-
381
22
(19,871)
(18,869)
(6,000)
-
(6,000)
(7,387)
1,279
(6,108)
(30,977)
60,998
(4,917)
(3,354)
7,971
27
4
767
53
(541)
10
(12,178)
(2,415)
(14,593)
-
1,163
1,163
(13,420)
30,021
Cash, at end of year
$
60,998
$
F-60
30,021
$
16,601
AIRMEDIA GROUP INC.
NOTES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
(In U.S. dollars in thousands)
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
BASIS FOR PREPARATION
The condensed financial information of the parent company, AirMedia Group Inc., only has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set
out in the Group's consolidated financial statements except that the parent company has used equity method to account for its investment in its
subsidiaries, AM Technology, Shenzhen AM, Xi'an AM, Royal HK and Glorious Star, and its VIEs, Shengshi Lianhe, AM Advertising, AirMedia UC
and AM Yuehang, and VIEs' subsidiaries, AirTV United, AM Film, Flying Dragon, AM Wenzhou, Weimei Shengshi, Weimei Lianhe, Shengshi
Lixin, Hainan Jinhui, Youtong, AM Jinshi, TJ Jinshi, TJ AM, Dongding and AM Outdoor.
INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
The Company, its subsidiaries, its VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements where the inter-company balances
and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. For the purpose of the Company's stand-alone financial statements, its investments in subsidiaries,
VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries are reported using the equity method of accounting. The Company's share of income and losses from its subsidiaries,
VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries is reported as earnings from subsidiaries, VIEs and VIEs' subsidiaries in the accompanying condensed financial
information of parent company.
INCOME TAXES
The Company is a tax exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
F-61
Exhibit No. Description
1.1
EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1
2.2
2.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Form 6-K filed on
December 10, 2009)
Registrant's Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Form of Deposit Agreement among the Company, the depositary and holder of the American Depositary Receipts (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333- 146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Amended and Restated Shareholders' Agreement originally dated as of June 7, 2007, as amended and restated on September 27, 2007,
among the Company and Shareholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Amended and Restated 2007 Share Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 6-K filed on December 10, 2009)
Form of Indemnification Agreement with the Company's directors and officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and an Executive Officer of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Investment Framework Agreement dated October 18, 2005, as amended on September 27, 2007, among Man Guo, Qing Xu and CDH
China Management Company Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Business Cooperation Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and
AirTV United Media & Culture Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Business Cooperation Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and AirTV
United Media & Culture Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Amended Power of Attorneys dated November 28, 2008 from each of the shareholders of Beijing Shengshi Lianhe
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Development Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Development
Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Support and Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia
Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333- 146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
Exhibit No. Description
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.21
4.22
4.23
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Support and
Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co.,
Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19,
2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April
28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19,
2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April
28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended Power of Attorneys dated November 28, 2008 from the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia Advertising
Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Development Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Registration Statement on
Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Development
Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Technology Support and Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia
Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Support and
Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.19 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 1 dated June 19, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing
AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement
dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
Exhibit No. Description
4.24
4.25
4.26
4.27
4.28
4.29
4.30
4.31
4.32
4.33
4.34
4.35
4.36
English Translation of Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co.,
Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.20 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 1 dated June 19, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement dated
June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing
AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 dated November 28, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Call Option Agreement
dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of
Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Loan Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia
Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Guo Man, a shareholder of Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.31 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Amended Power of Attorneys dated November 28, 2008 from the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising
Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.32 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Technology Development Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and
Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Development
Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Technology Support and Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
and Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 30, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Technology Support and
Service Agreement dated June 14, 2007 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2008)
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia
UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24
to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Equity Pledge Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among
AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.38 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC
Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated November 28, 2008 to the Call Option Agreement dated June 14, 2007 among
AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.40 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
Exhibit No. Description
4.37
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated October 31, 2008 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and the
shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd., supplementing the original Loan Agreement dated January 1, 2007
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.41 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Power of Attorneys dated April 1, 2008 from each of the shareholders of Beijing Yuehang Digital Media
Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.42 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Technology Development Agreement dated April 1, 2008 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and
Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.43 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on
April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Technology Support and Service Agreement dated April 1, 2008 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
and Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.44 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed
on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement dated June 25, 2008 to the Technology Support and Service Agreement dated April 1,
2008 between AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.45 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement dated April 1, 2008 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Yuehang
Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.46 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Call Option Agreement dated April 1, 2008 among AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Yuehang
Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.47 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2009)
Share Purchase Agreement dated July 4, 2008 among the Registrant, First Reach Holdings Limited and Excel Lead International Limited
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.48 to Annual Report on Form 20- F filed on April 28, 2009)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 to Call Option Agreement dated May 27, 2010 among AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.45 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on May 28, 2010)
English Translation of Supplementary Agreement No. 2 to the Equity Pledge Agreement dated May 27, 2010 among AirMedia Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.46 to Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on May 28, 2010)
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-146825), as amended, initially filed on October 19, 2007)
List of the Company’s subsidiaries
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-1(a)
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-1(a)
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
4.38
4.39
4.40
4.41
4.42
4.43
4.44
4.45
4.46
11.1
8.1*
12.1*
12.2*
13.1*
13.2*
15.1*
Description
Exhibit No.
15.2*
15.3*
*Filed herewith.
Consent of Commerce & Finance Law Offices
Consent of Maples and Calder
List of Subsidiaries
Exhibit 8.1
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries
Place of Incorporation
1. Broad Cosmos Enterprises Ltd.
British Virgin Islands
2. Air Media International Ltd.
British Virgin Islands
3. Excel Lead International Limited
British Virgin Islands
4. Dominant City Ltd.
British Virgin Islands
5. Air Media (China) Limited
Hong Kong
6. Royal Mart Limited
Hong Kong
7. Glorious Star Investment Limited
Hong Kong
8. AirMedia Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
PRC
9. Shenzhen AirMedia Information Technology Co., Ltd.
PRC
PRC
10. Xi'an AirMedia Chuangyi Technology Co., Ltd.
Affiliated Entities Consolidated in the Registrant's Financial Statements
11. Beijing Shengshi Lianhe Advertising Co., Ltd.
12. Beijing AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
13. Beijing AirMedia UC Advertising Co., Ltd.
14. Beijing Yuehang Digital Media Advertising Co., Ltd.
15. Wenzhou AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
16. Beijing Eastern Media Corporation, Ltd.
17. AirTV United Media & Culture Co., Ltd.
18. Beijing AirMedia Film & TV Culture Co., Ltd.
19. Flying Dragon Media Advertising Co., Ltd.
20. Beijing Weimei Shengshi Advertising Co., Ltd.
21. Beijing Weimei Lianhe Advertising co., Ltd.
22. Beijing Shengshi Lixin Culture & Media Co., Ltd.
23. Hainan Jinhui Guangming Media Advertising Co., Ltd.
24. Beijing Union of Friendship Advertising Media Co. Ltd.
25. Beijing AirMedia Jinshi Advertising Co., Ltd.
26. Tianjin AirMedia Jinshi Advertising Co., Ltd.
27. Tianjin AirMedia Advertising Co., Ltd.
28. Beijing AirMedia City Outdoor Advertising Co., Ltd.
Place of Incorporation
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
Exhibit 12.1
I, Herman Man Guo, certify that:
CERTIFICATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of AirMedia Group Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered
by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us
by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;
and
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)
b)
Date: May 6, 2011
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Herman Man Guo
Herman Man Guo
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Exhibit 12.2
I, Ping Sun, certify that:
CERTIFICATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of AirMedia Group Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered
by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us
by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;
and
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)
b)
Date: May 6, 2011
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Ping Sun
Ping Sun
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 13.1
The undersigned, Herman Man Guo, the Chief Executive Officer of AIRMEDIA GROUP INC. (the "Company"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this statement this 6th day of May, 2011.
/s/ Herman Man Guo
Herman Man Guo
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to AirMedia Group Inc. and will be retained by AirMedia Group Inc.
and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
The forgoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not being filed for
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company,
whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 13.2
The undersigned, Ping Sun, the Chief Financial Officer of AIRMEDIA GROUP INC. (the "Company"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this statement this 6th day of May, 2011.
/s/Ping Sun
Ping Sun
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to AirMedia Group Inc. and will be retained by AirMedia Group Inc.
and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
The forgoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not being filed for
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company,
whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements No. 333-148352, 333-164219 on Form S-8 and No. 333-161067 on Form F-3 of
our reports dated May 5, 2011, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of AirMedia Group Inc., its subsidiaries, its
variable interest entities (the "VIEs") and its VIEs' subsidiaries (collectively, the "Group") and the effectiveness of the Group's internal control over financial
reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of AirMedia Group Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Exhibit 15.1
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
Beijing, the People's Republic of China
May 6, 2011
Commerce & Finance Law Offices
6F NCI Tower, A12 Jianguomenwai Avenue,
Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC; Postcode: 100022
Tel:(8610) 65693399 Fax: (8610) 65693838, 65693836, 65693837
Website: www.tongshang.com
Exhibit 15.2
May 6, 2011
AirMedia Group Inc.
17/F, Sky Plaza, No. 46 DongZhimenwai Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing, 100027
People's Republic of China
Dear Sirs,
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the headings “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factor” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B.
Business Overview,” insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of PRC laws and regulations, in AirMedia Group Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “Annual Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We also consent to the filing
with the SEC of this consent letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report.
Sincerely Yours,
/s/Commerce & Finance Law Offices
Commerce & Finance Law Offices
通
通
通
通
通
通
通
Exhibit 15.3
AirMedia Group Inc.
17/F, Sky Plaza
No. 46 Dongzhimenwai Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing, 100027
People's Republic of China
May 6, 2011
Dear Sirs
AirMedia Group Inc.
We have acted as legal advisors as to the laws of the Cayman Islands to AirMedia Group Inc., an exempted limited liability company incorporated in the
Cayman Islands (the "Company"), in connection with the filing by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of
an annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2010 (the "Annual Report").
We hereby consent to the reference of our name under the heading "Item 16G Corporate Governance" in the Form 20-F. We also consent to the filing with the
SEC of this consent letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report.
Yours faithfully
/s/ Maples and Calder
Maples and Calder