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Avid

avid · NASDAQ Technology
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Ticker avid
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Electronic Gaming & Multimedia
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2015 Annual Report · Avid
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AVID 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 

Louis Hernandez, Jr. 
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer

To our shareholders:

2015 was a momentous year for our customers in the media industry and our company. The media industry landscape 
continued to face significant changes as participants are still adjusting to the explosion of content choices, new 
distribution channels, increases in consumption and the economic allocation of all participants. Technology continues 
to be a major enabler for the industry and our strategy is aimed at playing a more significant role in this transition 
for our clients. During the year, we continued executing on our transformation strategy to solve some of the biggest 
challenges in the industry and dramatically improve Avid’s financial profile, a process we began nearly three years ago. 
The strategy and vision that we formulated has already begun to shape the future of the media technology industry 
and we’re beginning to see the results in our financial performance and operating metrics. Furthermore, we remain 
firmly on track to complete our transformation, as planned, by 2017 and envision a meaningfully improved financial 
profile once completed.

Avid Everywhere is our strategic vision for connecting creative professionals and media organizations with their 
audiences in a more powerful, efficient, collaborative, and profitable way by leveraging a common platform to 
streamline and simplify workflows across the value chain. This vision is designed to achieve a better return on 
our extensive distribution network, drive higher cross-sell activity with top tier customers and access the relatively 
untapped market of independent professionals, through flexible pricing and deployment models, while allowing Avid  
to share in more of the overall ecosystem.  

When I joined in 2013, we developed a three-phase transformational strategy to capitalize on our strengths, recapture 
our leadership position in the media tech industry and dramatically alter the financial profile of the Company. During 
2015, we took a big step forward with strong bookings growth and wide market acceptance of our platform based 
solutions as we continue to shift to more of a recurring revenue model. Also, as the MediaCentral platform became 
more mature, we were able to execute on the next phase of our efficiency gain programs to create a leaner, more 
directed cost structure and direct our capital to the investments that provide the greatest return. 

We believe our 2015 financial performance validates our strategy and the growth in MediaCentral platform adoption 
demonstrates it’s already making a meaningful impact for our customers. By the end of 2015, we had more than 
32,000 licensed platform users, representing a 54% increase in one year and over 25,000 paid subscribers for our 
industry leading creative solutions, a more than 400% annual increase. Bookings have not only stabilized, but grew 4% 
annually and 26% in the fourth quarter of 2015, reversing historical declines. As we focus on selling higher margin, 
strategic products, we are seeing more of those bookings translate to sustainable EBITDA growth in the long run.  

We believe 2016 will be the last full year of Avid’s dramatic transformation as we expect to be complete by mid-2017. 
There is still much to do, including aligning our people and resources to drive profitable growth, improving operating 
and cost efficiencies and elevating our engagement with the media community. The team at Avid is fully committed to 
completing the transformation and delivering a more attractive and sustainable financial profile for our shareholders. 

I would like to thank the investment community for their patience and continued support of Avid – especially as we 
continue to make the changes necessary today to transform Avid into the leader and innovator to helping all media 
organizations globally to create and distribute their creative content for the enjoyment of the world.

We look forward to continued success in 2016 as we continue to expand the solid foundation we have established 
over the last three years.

Sincerely,

Louis Hernandez, Jr.

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015
OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

Commission File Number:  1-36254
_______________________

Avid Technology, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

04-2977748
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

75 Network Drive
Burlington, Massachusetts  01803
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(978) 640-6789
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:                    

Title of Each Class

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

Name of each exchange on which registered

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
_______________________

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes 

   No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes 

   No 

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 

   No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted 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 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best 
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 
10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the 
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer 
Non-accelerated Filer 
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Accelerated Filer 
Smaller Reporting Company 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes 

   No 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $510,363,334 based on the closing price of the 
Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2015.  The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of March 10, 
2016 was 39,629,593.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document Description

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

10-K Part

III

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

PART I.

ITEM 1.

Business

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

ITEM 2.

ITEM 3.

ITEM 4.

PART II.

ITEM 5.

ITEM 6.

ITEM 7.

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities

Selected Financial Data

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

ITEM 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Financial Information

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

ITEM 9.

ITEM 9A.

ITEM 9B.

PART III.

ITEM 10.

ITEM 11.

ITEM 12.

ITEM 13.

ITEM 14.

PART IV.

ITEM 15.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

SIGNATURES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Page

iii

1

10

25

26

26

27

28

30

32

54

56

57

94

94

98

99

99

99

99

99

100

101

ii

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, or Form 10-K, filed by Avid Technology, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, 
“Avid” or the “Company”, or “we”, “us” or “our” unless the context indicates otherwise includes forward-looking statements 
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  For this purpose, any statements contained in this 
Form 10-K that relate to future results or events are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may be identified 
by use of forward-looking words, such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “feel,” “intend,” 
“may,” “plan,” “should,” “seek,” “will” and “would,” or similar expressions. 

Forward-looking statements may involve subjects relating to the following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our ability to successfully implement our Avid Everywhere strategic plan and other strategic initiatives, including 
our cost saving strategies;

our ability to develop, market and sell new products and services;

anticipated trends relating to our sales, financial condition or results of operations, including our shift to a recurring 
revenue model and complex enterprise sales with elongated sales cycles;

our ability to achieve our goal of expanding our market positions;

the anticipated performance of our products;
our business strategies and market positioning;

our ability to successfully consummate acquisitions or investment transactions and successfully integrate acquired 
businesses including the acquisition of Orad Hi-Tech Ltd (“Orad”), into our operations; 

our anticipated benefits and synergies from and the anticipated financial impact of any acquired business (including 
Orad);

the anticipated trends and developments in our markets and the success of our products in these markets;

our ability to mitigate and remediate effectively the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial 
reporting, and the expected timing thereof;

our capital resources and the adequacy thereof;

our ability to service our debt and meet the obligations thereunder, including our ability to satisfy our conversion 
and repurchase obligations under our convertible senior notes due 2020;

the outcome, impact, costs and expenses of any litigation or government inquiries to which we are or become 
subject;

the effect of the continuing worldwide macroeconomic uncertainty on our business and results of operation; 

the expected timing of recognition of revenue backlog as revenue, and the timing of recognition of revenues from 
subscription offerings;

estimated asset and liability values and amortization of our intangible assets;

our compliance with covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness; 
changes in inventory levels;

seasonal factors;

plans regarding repatriation of foreign earnings;

fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates; and

the risk of restatement of our financial statements.

Actual results and events in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking 
statements in this Form 10-K.  There are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from 
those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control, including the risk factors 
discussed in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.  In addition, the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K represent our 
estimates only as of the date of this filing and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date.  
While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, 
whether to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or 
otherwise.

iii

 
The information included under the heading “Stock Performance Graph” in Item 5 of this Form 10-K is “furnished” and not 
“filed” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to Regulation 14A, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes 
of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of 
that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, 
as amended, or the Securities Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference.

We own or have rights to trademarks and service marks that we use in connection with the operation of our business.  Avid is a 
trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.  Other trademarks, logos, and slogans registered or used by us and our subsidiaries in the 
United States and other countries include, but are not limited to, the following:  Avid Everywhere, Avid Motion Graphics, 
AirSpeed, EUCON, iNEWS, Interplay, ISIS, Avid MediaCentral Platform, Mbox, Media Composer, NewsCutter, Nitris, Pro 
Tools, Sibelius and Symphony.  Other trademarks appearing in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.

iv

ITEM 1. 

BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

PART I

We provide an open, integrated, and comprehensive technology platform, along with applications and services that enable the 
creation, distribution, and monetization of audio and video content.  Specifically, we develop, market, sell, and support software 
and hardware for digital media content production, management and distribution.  Digital media are video, audio or graphic 
elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and stored as digital values, as opposed to analog or tape-based signals.  
Our products are used in production and post-production facilities; film studios; network, affiliate, independent and cable 
television stations; recording studios; live-sound performance venues; advertising agencies; government and educational 
institutions; corporate communication departments; and by independent video and audio creative professionals, as well as aspiring 
professionals.  Projects produced using our products include feature films, television programming, live events, news broadcasts, 
commercials, music, video and other digital media content.

Our mission is to create the most powerful and collaborative media network that enables the creation, distribution and 
monetization of the most inspiring content in the world.  Guided by our Avid Everywhere strategic vision, we strive to deliver the 
industry’s most open, innovative and comprehensive media platform connecting content creation with collaboration, asset 
protection, distribution and consumption for the media in the world – from the most prestigious and award-winning feature films, 
music recordings, and television shows, to live concerts and news broadcasts.  We have been honored over time for our 
technological innovation with 14 Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, two Oscars and the first ever America Cinema Editors 
Technical Excellence Award.  Our solutions were used in all 2016 Oscar nominated films for Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best 
Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Original Score. Our audio solutions were also used in all 2016 Grammy nominated 
recordings for Best Album of The Year, Best Record of the Year and Best Song of the Year.

RECENT EVENTS

Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2016, we commenced restructuring actions that are part of a broad restructuring plan encompassing a series 
of measures intended to allow us to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These include reductions 
in our workforce, facilities consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, and reducing other third-
party services costs. In connection with this restructuring plan, we expect to incur incremental cash expenditures of approximately 
$25 million relating to termination benefits, facility costs, employee overlap expenses and related actions. We anticipate that the 
restructuring plan will be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017 and will result in annualized costs 
savings of appropriately $68 million.

Financing Agreement with Cerberus Business Finance, LLC

In connection with the cost efficiency program, on February 26, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), we entered into a Financing 
Agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with Cerberus Business Finance, LLC, as collateral and administrative agent, and the 
lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”). Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, the Lenders agreed to provide us with (a) a term loan 
in the aggregate principal amount of $100 million (the “Term Loan”) and (b) a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) of 
up to a maximum of $5 million in borrowings outstanding at any time. All outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will 
become due and payable, on the earlier of February 26, 2021 and the date that is 30 days prior to June 15, 2020, the scheduled 
maturity date of our outstanding 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2020. We borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan, or 
$100 million, as of the Closing Date, but did not borrow any amount under the Credit Facility as of the Closing Date.  Proceeds 
from the term loan will be used to replace our existing $35 million revolving credit facility, finance the Company’s efficiency 
program and other initiatives, and provide operating flexibility throughout the remainder of the transformation in this period of 
heightened market volatility.  We estimate that after paying for both debt issuance costs and the efficiency program, the new 
financing will provide approximately $70 million of available liquidity, about half of which replaces the existing revolving credit 
facility with the remainder providing incremental liquidity to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet.

1

Concurrently with the entry into the Financing Agreement, on February 26, 2016, we terminated our existing Credit Agreement, 
dated June 22, 2015, with KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and the other lender parties thereto, and repaid 
all outstanding borrowings under such agreement. There were no penalties paid by us in connection with this termination.

For a more detailed description of the restructuring plan and the Financing Agreement, see Note P, Restructuring Costs and 
Accruals, and Note R, Long Term Debt and Credit Agreement, to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of 
this Form 10-K.

CORPORATE STRATEGY

Technology has enabled almost every aspect of how we live to become increasingly digitized, and acceleration of digitization is 
having a tremendous impact on the media industry and altering the industry value chain. Today’s consumers are empowered to 
create and consume content on-demand-anywhere, anytime. Organizations are under pressure to connect and automate the entire 
creation-to-consumption workflow. This consumerization has increased the cost and complexity of monetizing assets, which in 
turn leads to demand for new platforms for distribution and consumption.  Organizations need to rely on partners with the 
strategic understanding and technological expertise to help navigate the challenges they are facing.  We believe we are uniquely 
positioned as a proven and trusted leader to effectively help our customers in the media industry navigate through this period of 
unprecedented changes.

Our strategy is built on three pillars, Avid Everywhere, The Avid Advantage and the Avid Customer Association (“ACA”).  Avid 
Everywhere is our strategic vision for connecting creative professionals and media organizations with their audiences in a more 
powerful, efficient, collaborative, and profitable way.  Central to the Avid Everywhere vision is the Avid MediaCentral Platform, 
an open, extensible, and customizable foundation that streamlines and simplifies workflows by tightly integrating all Avid or third 
party products and services that run on top of it.  The platform provides secure and protected access, which enables the creation 
and delivery of content faster and easier through a set of modular application suites that together represent an open, integrated, 
and flexible media production and distribution environment for the media industry.  The Avid Advantage complements Avid 
Everywhere by offering a new standard in service, support and education to enable our customers to derive more efficiency from 
their Avid investment. Finally, the ACA is an association of dedicated media community visionaries, thought leaders and users 
designed to provide essential strategic leadership to the media industry, facilitate collaboration between Avid and key industry 
leaders and visionaries, and deepen relationships between our customers and us.

Another key element of our strategy is our transition to a subscription or recurring revenue based model. In 2014 we began 
offering subscription based licensing options for some of our products and solutions.  These licensing options offer choice in 
pricing and deployment to suit our customers’ needs and are expected to increase recurring revenue on a longer term basis. 
However, during our transition to a recurring revenue model, we expect that our revenue, deferred revenue, and cash flow from 
operations will be adversely affected as an increasing portion of our total revenue is recognized ratably rather than up front, and as 
new product offerings are sold at a wider variety of price points.

As a complement to our core strategy, we continue to review and implement programs throughout the Company to reduce costs, 
increase operational efficiencies, align talent and enhance our business, including in connection with the restructuring plan 
announced in February 2016, as described in more detail in “Recent Events” as part of which we are realigning our employee 
base to better serve our customers’ needs. We expect these initiatives will be complete in mid-2017.  

We have organized our existing hardware and software products and introduced new solutions in four suites, all built upon the 
MediaCentral Platform. These four suites encompass both audio and video products and solutions and are summarized below: 

•  Artist Suite encompasses all of our products and tools used to create content, including video editing solutions, digital 

audio workstations (DAW), music notation software, control surfaces and live sound systems. Products and tools in the 
Artist Suite can be deployed on premise, cloud-enabled, or through a hybrid approach. Users can collaborate to access, 
edit, and share the same media; and collaborate with others as if they were all in the same facility. 

•  Media Suite includes all of our tools and services used to manage, protect, distribute, and monetize media, including 
solutions for newsroom management, asset management, and multiplatform distribution. We are also expanding the 
Media Suite to include metadata tagging, protection and encryption, and analytics.
Studio Suite comprises of in-studio tools for on-air program and viewership enhancement, including 3D real-time 
graphics, replay servers and sports enhancements.

• 

2

• 

Storage Suite refers to all of our products and tools used to capture, store, and deliver media, including online storage, 
nearline storage, and ingest/playout servers. These products and tools work in close concert with the Media Suite’s 
tagging and asset management. 

CUSTOMER MARKETS

We provide digital media content-creation, management and distribution products and solutions to customers in the following 
markets:

•  Broadcast and Media.  This market consists of broadcast, government, sports and other organizations that acquire, 

create, process, and/or distribute audio and video content to a large audience for communication, entertainment, analysis, 
and/or forensic purposes.  Customers in this industry rely on workflows that span content acquisition, creation, editing, 
distribution, sales and redistribution and utilize all content distribution platforms, including web, mobile, internet 
protocol television, cable, satellite, on-air and various other proprietary platforms.  For this market, we offer a range of 
open products and solutions including hardware- and software-based video- and audio-editing tools, collaborative 
workflow and asset management solutions, and automation tools, as well as scalable media storage options.  Our domain 
expertise also allows us to provide customers in this market with a range of professional and consulting services.   We 
sell into this market through our direct sales force and resellers.

•  Video and Audio Post and Professional.  This market is made up of individual artists and entities that create audio and 

video media as a paid service, but do not currently distribute media to end consumers on a large scale.  This industry 
spans a wide-ranging target audience that includes: independent video editors, facilities and filmmakers that produce 
video media as a business but are not broadcasters; professional sound designers, editors and mixers and facilities that 
specialize in the creation of audio for picture; songwriters, musicians, producers, film composers and engineers who 
compose and record music professionally; technicians, engineers, rental companies and facilities that present, record and 
broadcast audio and video for live performances; and students and teachers in career technical education programs in 
high schools, colleges and universities, as well as in post-secondary vocational schools, that prepare students for 
professional media production careers in the digital workplace.  For this market, we offer a range of products and 
solutions based on the Avid MediaCentral Platform, including hardware- and software-based creative production tools, 
scalable media storage options and collaborative workflows.  Our domain expertise also allows us to provide customers 
in this market with a broad range of professional services.  We sell into this market through storefront and on-line 
retailers, as well as through our direct sales force and resellers.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Overview

Our MediaCentral Platform is comprised of a set of modular application suites and new private and public marketplaces that 
together represent an open, integrated and flexible media production and distribution environment in the industry. With on-
premises and cloud-enabled deployment options, as well as subscription, floating and perpetual licensing options, customers have 
multiple choices over how they use Avid solutions. 

The following table presents our net revenues, which includes the amortization of deferred revenues, for the periods indicated (in 
thousands):

Video products and solutions
Audio products and solutions
     Total products and solutions
Services

Total net revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

$

201,559
134,812
336,371
169,224
505,595

$

$

233,464
145,163
378,627
151,624
530,251

$

$

243,173
152,358
395,531
167,881
563,412

3

The following table presents our net revenues, which includes the amortization of deferred revenues, as a percentage of total net 
revenues for the periods indicated:

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

Video Products and Solutions

Professional Video Creative Tools

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

40%

27%

67%

33%

100%

44%

27%

71%

29%

100%

43%

27%

70%

30%

100%

We offer a range of software and hardware video-editing tools for the professional.  Our award-winning Media Composer product 
line is used to edit video content, including television programming, commercials and films, while our NewsCutter option and 
iNews systems are designed for the fast-paced world of news production.  Our Avid Symphony option is used during the “online” 
or “finishing” stage of post-production, during which the final program is assembled in high resolution with finished graphics, 
visual effects, color grading and audio tracks.  Our Media Composer | Cloud solution enables broadcast news professionals to 
acquire, access, edit and finish stories anytime, from everywhere.  Leveraging a cloud-based architecture, this solution gives 
contributors the ability to craft stories where they are happening and speed them to air while maintaining connectivity with the 
newsroom operation. In 2014, we released Media Composer version 8 with subscription offerings and updates, and with 
resolution flexibility and independence, which allows users to manage and edit high-resolution media content with ease.  These 
new versions are designed to extend the production capabilities of these solutions and demonstrates our continuing commitment 
to provide tools that allow for improved creativity and productivity of the professional editor, delivered in a way most attractive to 
the user.  In April 2015, we introduced the Avid Artist | DNxIO, a hardware interface designed to accelerate high-resolution video 
production. When combined with the industry’s preeminent Media Composer video editing software, the Avid Artist | DNxIO 
delivers best-in-class high-res video ingest, editing, monitoring, and output, giving video professionals the flexible, open, and 
integrated creative tools they need to efficiently create the highest-quality media. Further, because it is built on the Avid 
MediaCentral Platform, Avid Artist | DNxIO is compatible with any Avid Artist Suite solutions and many third-party creative 
tools.

Revenues from our professional video creative tools accounted for 10%, 8% and 10% of our net revenues for 2015, 2014 and 
2013, respectively.

Media Management Solutions

Our Avid MediaCentral | UX web and mobile-based apps extend the capability of our Avid Interplay | MAM and Avid Interplay | 
Production asset management solutions by providing real-time access to media assets for the on-the-go media professional. Avid 
Interplay | MAM allows users to focus on managing content and workflows by giving them the tools to connect their media 
operations and business intelligence, control movement of media between various storage systems, configure metadata, and 
leverage a service-oriented architecture structure to integrate in-house and third-party applications. In April 2015, we introduced 
Interplay | MAM 5, enabling organizations both large and small to manage the entire content lifecycle and reduce media operation 
costs. This release completes the integration of all Media Suite modules into the MediaCentral Platform.  Avid Interplay | 
Production enhances production team collaboration by coordinating the collaborative editorial workflow of team members at each 
site, many of whom may be working on the same projects at the same time. Avid Interplay | Production also manages the detailed 
composition of a project and provides the ability to track media, production file formats, and a project’s history. In June 2015, we 
acquired Orad Hi-Tech Systems Ltd. (“Orad”) and integrated its 3D real-time graphics, video servers and related asset 
management solutions. The acquisition adds the applications to our Studio Suite which we intend to connect to the Avid 
MediaCentral Platform.

Revenues from media management solutions accounted for 7%, 9% and 8% of our net revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively.

4

 
Video Storage and Server Solutions

Our Avid ISIS 5500 and ISIS 7500 shared storage systems are real-time, open solutions that bring the power of shared storage to 
local, regional, national and multinational broadcasters and post-production facilities at competitive prices.  Customers can 
improve allocation of creative resources and support changing project needs with an open shared storage platform that includes 
the ISIS file system technology on lower cost hardware, support for third-party applications and streamlined administration to 
create more content more affordably.  In April 2014, we introduced ISIS | 2500 as a near-line storage solution with common off-
the-shelf storage with an application layer that provides secure storage and allows customers to extend their library of accessible 
media assets. In April 2015, we introduced ISIS | 1000 shared storage, bringing small production teams the same collaborative 
power used on larger-scale productions and news broadcasts-customized for their needs, at a price they can afford. Our on-air 
server solutions include AirSpeed 5000 and AirSpeed 5500, which enable broadcasters to automate the ingest and playout of 
television and news programming.  The AirSpeed 5000 and 5500 video servers work with a wide range of applications to improve 
workflow and provide cost-efficient ingest and play to air capabilities for broadcasters of any size.  

Revenues from video storage and server solutions accounted for 22%, 25% and 24% of our net revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively.

Audio Products and Solutions

Digital Audio Software and Workstation Solutions

Our Pro Tools digital audio software and workstation solutions facilitate the audio production process, including music and sound 
creation, recording, editing, signal processing, integrated surround mixing and mastering, and reference video playback.  The Pro 
Tools platform supports a wide variety of internally developed and third-party software plug-ins and integrated hardware.  Pro 
Tools solutions are offered at a range of price points and are used by professionals and aspiring professionals in music, film, 
television, radio, game, Internet and other media production environments.  In January 2015, we announced Pro Tools version 12 
with subscription offerings and new features and updates, including the ability to collaborate over the cloud, as well as Pro Tools | 
First, which allows beginners to access the same music creation tools used by professionals.  In January 2016, we introduced Pro 
Tools version 12.5, offering select customers early access to the highly anticipated Avid Cloud Collaboration for Pro Tools. Avid 
Cloud Collaboration makes it easy for artists and audio professionals to compose, record, edit, and mix projects from any location 
worldwide. In support of this release, we also announced that the Artist Community, an online community designed to facilitate 
collaboration, is now open to everyone. 

Our Pro Tools HD family of digital audio workstations, designed to provide high performance, low latency, and great sound 
quality, provides music production professionals with two powerful solutions, the Pro Tools | HD Native system and the Pro Tools 
| HDX system.  Our Pro Tools | HDX workstation represents a new generation of Pro Tools HD solutions by providing more 
power, higher audio quality, and easier ways to record, edit and mix demanding audio productions.  The Pro Tools | HD Native 
Thunderbolt, uses a high-speed Thunderbolt interface to connect to a laptop or desktop computer to eliminate monitor latency 
while recording.

Our audio recording interfaces are designed to deliver high audio quality plus hands-on controls giving musicians the tools to 
produce quality recordings in less time.  Avid partnered with US based Apogee Electronics Corp. and introduced two new audio 
recording interfaces: The Pro Tools | Duet and Pro Tools | Quartet, comprised of Apogee audio interfaces and Pro Tools software 
to provide fully EUCON integrated solutions for musicians and audio engineers.

Revenues from digital audio software and workstation solutions accounted for 14%, 16% and 16% of our net revenues in 2015, 
2014 and 2013, respectively.

Control Surfaces, Consoles and Live-Sound Systems

We offer a range of complementary control surfaces and consoles, leveraging the open industry standard protocol EUCON 
(Extended User Control) to provide open solutions that meet the needs of customers ranging from the independent professional to 
the high-end broadcaster.  Our System 5 digital audio console is a large-format, scalable console with power on demand to mix 
large feature films or album projects.  The addition of our EUCON Hybrid option extends the control capabilities of a System 5 
console, enabling the user to bring audio tracks from multiple digital audio workstations onto the console surface for mixing.  Our 
Pro Tools | S6 control surface for sound recording, mixing and editing was designed as a state-of-the-art modular solution that 

5

scales to meet both current and future customer requirements.  S6 is designed for audio professionals in demanding production 
environments, delivering the performance needed to complete projects faster while producing high quality mixes.  Our Artist 
Series control surfaces offer integrated, hands-on control for price-sensitive applications.  Compact and portable, all control 
surfaces in the Artist line feature EUCON, allowing hands-on control of the user’s applications.

Our VENUE product family includes console systems for mixing audio for live sound reinforcement for concerts, theater 
performances and other public address events.  We offer a range of VENUE systems designed for large performance settings, such 
as stadium concerts, as well as medium-sized theaters and houses of worship.  VENUE systems allow the direct integration of Pro 
Tools solutions to create and playback live recordings.  The VENUE | SC48 Remote System features the VENUE | SC48 digital 
console paired with the VENUE Stage 48 remote box, enabling the user to place input/output devices away from the console and 
closer to the sources, eliminating cable clutter.

In April 2015, we introduced Avid VENUE| S6L live sound mixing system, featuring a modern, intuitive touch-based interface 
that enable audio professionals to easily handle the largest, most complex tours and events. VENUE | S6L is a fully modular, 
scalable live sound mixing system that delivers best-in-class functionality for a range of live sound mixing applications, including 
front-of-house, monitor, broadcast, theater, and more. Featuring VENUE | E6L, the industry’s most advanced live sound engine, 
VENUE | S6L offers unprecedented power to handle huge channel and plug-in counts at the lowest possible latency. VENUE | 
S6L ensures the highest sound quality, with all processing at 96 Hz, and support for higher sample rates is possible given the 
significant processing power available. Furthermore, VENUE | S6L is a networked system and can be customized to meet the 
needs and budget of essentially any professional production.

Revenues from control surfaces and live systems accounted for 10%, 10% and 9% of our net revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively.

Notation Software

Our Sibelius-branded software allows users to create, edit and publish musical scores.  Sibelius software is used by composers, 
arrangers and other music professionals.  Student versions are also available to assist in the teaching of music composition and 
score writing. In 2015 we introduced Sibelius | Cloud Publishing, which allows users to view, play, transpose, print and purchase 
scores using current web browsers and mobile devices. The newest version of our musical notation software, Sibelius 8.1, helps 
composers to create beautiful, accurate and easy-to-read scores. As part of a series of regular updates delivered through Avid All 
Access Plans, Sibelius 8.1 introduces several of the customer community’s top requests, demonstrating Avid’s commitment to 
listening to the needs of customers, a key tenet of Avid Everywhere. Sibelius music notation software offers sophisticated, yet 
easy-to-use tools that are proven and trusted by composers, arrangers, publishers, educators, and students alike. We also offer 
Avid Scorch, an application for the Apple iPad mobile device that turns an iPad into an interactive score library with access to 
sheet music through an in-app store with more than 150,000 premium titles.

Professional Services and Customer Care

Our Professional Services team delivers workflow design and consulting; program and project management; system installation 
and commissioning; custom development and role-based product level training.  The Professional Services team facilitates the 
engagement with our customers to maximize their investment in technology; increase their operational efficiency; and enable 
them to reduce deployment risk and implement our solutions.

Our Education team delivers public and private training to our customers and alliance partners to ensure that they have the 
necessary skills and technical competencies to deploy, use, administer and create Avid solutions.  The Education team develops 
and licenses curriculum content for use by third party Avid Learning partners to deliver training to customers, users and alliance 
partners.  The Education team includes the Avid Certification program which validates the skills and competency of Avid users, 
administrators, instructors, support representatives and developers.

Our Customer Care team provides customers with a partner committed to giving them help and support when they need it.  We 
offer a variety of services contracts and support plans, allowing each customer to select the level of technical and operational 
support that they need to maintain their operational effectiveness.  Our global Customer Care team of more than 300 in-house and 
third-party industry professionals offers a blend of technology expertise and real-world experience from throughout the audio, 
visual, and entertainment industries.  The team’s mission is to provide timely, informed responses to our customers’ issues and 
proactive maintenance for our solutions to help our customers maintain high standards of operational effectiveness.

6

COMPETITION

Our customer markets are highly competitive and subject to rapid change and declining average selling prices.  The competitive 
landscape is fragmented with a large number of companies providing various types of products and services in different markets 
and geographic areas.  We provide integrated solutions that compete based on total value workflow, features, quality, service and 
price.  Companies with which we compete in some contexts may also act as our partners in other contexts, such as large enterprise 
customer environments.

Certain companies that compete with us across some of our products and solutions are listed below by the market in which they 
compete:

•  Broadcast and Media:  The Associated Press Inc., Belden Inc., Bitcentral Inc., Dalet S.A., EVS Corporation, Harmonic 

Inc., Imagine Communications Corp, Ross Video Limited and Vizrt Ltd., among others.

•  Audio and Video Post and Professional:  Ableton AG, Autodesk Inc., Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd, Harman International 

Industries Inc., Universal Audio Inc. and Yamaha Corporation, among others.

In addition, we compete across both previously mentioned markets with companies such as Adobe Systems Incorporated, Apple 
Inc., Editshare LLC, Snell Advanced Media, Sony Corporation and EMC Corporation.

Some of our principal competitors are substantially larger than we are and have greater financial, technical, marketing and other 
resources than we have.  For a discussion of these and other risks associated with our competitors, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A 
of this Form 10-K.

OPERATIONS

Sales and Services Channels 

We market and sell our products and solutions through a combination of direct, indirect and digital sales channels.  Our direct 
sales channel consists of internal sales representatives serving select customers and markets.  Our indirect sales channels include 
global networks of independent distributors, value-added resellers, dealers and retailers.  Our digital sales channel is represented 
by the online Avid Marketplace.

We have significant international operations with offices in 24 countries and the ability to reach over 130 countries through a 
combination of our direct sales force and resellers.  Sales to customers outside the United States accounted for 63%, 64% and 
61%, respectively, of our net revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013.   Additional information about the geographic breakdown of our 
revenues and long-lived assets can be found in Note Q to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.  For 
additional information about risks associated with our international operations, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

We generally ship our products shortly after the receipt of an order.  However, a high percentage of our revenues has historically 
been generated in the third month of each fiscal quarter and concentrated in the latter part of that month.  Orders that may exist at 
the end of a quarter and have not been shipped are not recognized as revenues and are included in revenue backlog.

Certain orders included in revenue backlog may be reduced, canceled or deferred by our customers. Our revenue backlog, as we 
define it, consists of firm orders received and includes both (i) orders where the customer has paid in advance of our performance 
obligations being fulfilled, and (ii) orders for future product deliveries or services that have not yet been invoiced by us. The 
expected timing of the recognition of revenue backlog into revenue is based on current estimates and could change based on a 
number of factors, including (i) the timing of delivery of products and services, (ii) customer cancellations or change orders, (iii) 
changes in the estimated period of time Implied Maintenance Release PCS is provided to customers or (iv) changes in accounting 
standards or policies.  Implied Maintenance Release PCS, as we define it, is the implicit obligation to make such software updates 
available to customers over a period of time which represents implied post-contract customer support and is deemed to be a 
deliverable in each arrangement and accounted for as a separate element. As there is no industry standard definition of revenue 
backlog, our reported revenue backlog may not be comparable with other companies.  Additional information on our revenue 
backlog can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.”

We provide customer care services directly through regional in-house and contracted support centers and major-market field 
service representatives and indirectly through dealers, value-added resellers and authorized third-party service providers.  
Depending on the solution, customers may choose from a variety of support offerings, including telephone and online technical 

7

support, on-site assistance, hardware replacement and extended warranty, and software upgrades.  In addition to customer care 
services, we offer a broad array of professional services, including installation, integration, planning and consulting services, and 
customer training.

Manufacturing and Suppliers 

Our internal manufacturing operations consist primarily of the testing of subassemblies and components purchased from third 
parties, the duplication of software, and the configuration, final assembly and testing of board sets, software, related hardware 
components and complete systems.  In addition to our internal manufacturing operations, we rely on a network of contractors 
around the globe to manufacture many of our products, components and subassemblies.  Our products undergo testing and quality 
assurance at the final assembly stage.  We depend on sole-source suppliers for certain key hardware product components and 
finished goods, including some critical items.  Although we have procedures in place to mitigate the risks associated with our 
sole-sourced suppliers, we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain sole-sourced components or finished goods from 
alternative suppliers or that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms without a material impact on our results of 
operations or financial position.  For the risks associated with our use of contractors and sole-source vendors, see “Risk Factors” 
in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Our company-operated manufacturing facilities, primarily for final assembly and testing of certain products, are located in: Kfar 
Saba, Israel, Dublin, Ireland and Mountain View, California.  Our Dublin facility is ISO 14001, Environmental Management 
System, certified.

We and our contract manufacturers manufacture our products at a relatively limited number of different facilities located 
throughout the world, and, in most cases, the manufacturing of each of our products is concentrated in one or a few locations.  An 
interruption in manufacturing capabilities at any of these facilities, as a result of equipment failure or other reasons, could reduce, 
delay or prevent the production of our products.  Because some of our manufacturing or our contract manufacturer’s operations 
are located outside of the United States, including in Ireland, China and Thailand, those manufacturing operations are also subject 
to additional challenges and risks associated with international operations.  For these and other risks associated with our 
manufacturing operations, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Research and Development

We are committed to delivering best-in-class digital media content-creation solutions that are designed for the unique needs, skills 
and sophistication levels of our target customer markets.  Having helped establish the digital media technology industry, we are 
building on a 25+ year heritage of innovation and leadership in developing content-creation solutions. We have research and 
development, or R&D, operations around the globe.  Our R&D efforts are focused on the development of digital media content-
creation, distribution, and monetization tools that operate primarily on the Mac, Windows and Linux platforms.  Our R&D efforts 
also include networking and storage initiatives intended to deliver standards-based media transfer and media asset management 
tools, as well as stand-alone and network-attached media storage systems for workgroups.  In addition to our internal R&D 
efforts, we outsource a significant portion of certain R&D projects to internationally based partners in Kiev, Ukraine and, to a 
lesser extent, Thailand.  Our R&D expenditures for 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $95.9 million, $90.4 million and $95.2 million, 
respectively, which represented 19%, 17% and 17%, respectively, of our net revenues.  For the risks associated with our use of 
partners for R&D projects, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Our company-operated R&D operations are located in: Burlington, Massachusetts; Mountain View, California; Berkeley, 
California; Santa Cruz, California; Munich, Germany; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Kfar Saba, Israel; Szczecin, Poland; and 
Montreal, Canada.  We also partner with a vendor in Ukraine for outsourced R&D services and a vendor in Thailand for hardware 
R&D services. We also have been building our own development team in Taiwan.

Intellectual Property

We regard our software and hardware as proprietary and protect our proprietary interests under the laws of patents, copyrights, 
trademarks and trade secrets, as well as through contractual provisions.

We have obtained patents and have registered copyrights, trademarks and service marks in the United States and in many foreign 
countries.  At December 31, 2015, we held 172 U.S. patents, with expiration dates through 2033, and had 24 patent applications 
pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  We have also registered or applied to register various trademarks and service 
marks in the United States and a number of foreign countries, including Avid, Avid Everywhere, Media Composer, Pro Tools and 

8

Sibelius.  As a technology company, we regard our patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks and trade secrets as being 
among our most valuable assets, together with the innovative skills, technical competence and marketing abilities of our 
personnel.

Our software is licensed to end users pursuant to shrink-wrap, embedded, click-through or signed license agreements.  Our 
products generally contain features to guard against unauthorized use. Policing unauthorized use of computer software is difficult, 
and software piracy is a persistent problem for us, as it is for the software industry in general.  Although we attempt to protect our 
intellectual property rights through patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing arrangements, maintaining certain technology as 
trade secrets and other measures, we cannot assure you that any patent, trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights 
owned by us will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged, that such intellectual property rights will provide competitive 
advantages to us, or that any of our pending or future patent applications will be issued with the claims, or the scope of the claims, 
sought by us, if at all.  We cannot assure you that others will not develop technologies that are similar or superior to our 
technology, duplicate our technology or design around the patents that we own. In addition, effective patent, copyright and trade 
secret protection may be unavailable or limited in countries in which we do business or may do business in the future.  For these 
and other risks associated with the protection of our intellectual property, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

HISTORY AND EMPLOYEES

Avid was incorporated in Delaware in 1987.  We are headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations in North 
America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.  At December 31, 2015, our worldwide workforce consisted of 1,522 
employees and 420 external contractors.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We make available free of charge on our website, www.avid.com, copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly 
Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as practicable after filing 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.  Additionally, we will provide paper copies of all of these filings free of 
charge upon request.  Alternatively, these reports can be accessed at the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov.  The information 
contained on our web site shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange 
Act.

9

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below in addition to the other information included or 
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K before making an investment decision regarding our common stock.  If any of the 
following risks were to actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results would likely suffer, possibly 
materially, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.  Additional 
risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors 
that adversely affect our business.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

If we are unable to successfully execute on our strategy, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could 
be adversely affected.

We are in the process of transforming our business based on a strategy built on three pillars, Avid Everywhere, The Avid 
Advantage and the Avid Customer Association. As part of our corporate strategy we have organized our products in four suites, all 
built upon our MediaCentral Platform. The ongoing implementation of our strategy may require additional capital that we may 
not have access to on reasonable terms or at all.  Additionally, our strategy is requiring us to develop expertise in new areas and 
establish new competencies either through talent acquisition or internal development, which we may not be able to successfully 
achieve.  Moreover, the pace and scope of the transformation contemplated in our strategy increases the risk that not all of our 
strategic plans will deliver the expected benefits within the anticipated time frames, or at all. Furthermore, as a part of our strategy 
we are also identifying and executing on opportunities to reduce operating costs. If we are unable to successfully  execute on our 
strategy, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We operate in highly competitive markets, and our competitors may be able to draw upon a greater depth and breadth of 
resources than those that are available to us.

We operate in highly competitive markets characterized by pressure to innovate, expand feature sets and functionality, accelerate 
new product releases and reduce prices.  Markets for certain of our products also have limited barriers to entry.  There is an 
additional risk of consolidation among our competitors, which could result in fewer, more effective competitors.  Customers 
consider many factors when evaluating our products relative to those of our competitors, including innovation, ease of use, price, 
feature sets, functionality, reliability, performance, reputation, and training and support, and we may not compare favorably 
against our competitors in all respects.   Some of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, greater 
brand recognition and substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution and support resources than we do.  As a 
result, our competitors may be able to deliver greater innovation, respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and 
changes in market demand, devote more resources to the development, marketing and sale of their products, successfully expand 
into emerging and other international markets, or price their products more aggressively than we can.

If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing products or in attracting and retaining customers, our financial 
condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

The rapid evolution of the media industry is changing our customers’ needs, businesses and revenue models, and if we 
cannot anticipate or adapt quickly, our business will be harmed.

The media industry has rapidly and dramatically transformed over the past few years and is continuing to do so as free content, 
minimal entry costs for creation and distribution, and the expansion of mobile devices have become prevalent.  As a result, our 
traditional customers’ needs, businesses and revenue models are changing, often in ways that deviate from our core strengths and 
traditional bases.  If we cannot anticipate these changes or adapt to them quickly, our business will be harmed.  For example, our 
customers have to address the increasing digitization of the media industry, which requires the creation of a more seamless value 
chain between content creation and monetization.  Furthermore, because of the consumerization of the media industry, there is 
more pressure to create media that can be repurposed in a variety of ways in an efficient manner.  As a result of these industry 
changes, traditional advertising channels are also facing competition from web and mobile platforms, and diminished revenues 
from traditional advertising could cause some customers’ budgets for the purchase of our solutions to decline; this may be 
particularly true among local television stations, which in the past have been an important customer industry for us.  Additionally, 

10

our customers may also seek to pool or share facilities and resources with others in their industry and engage with providers of 
software as a service.

The ongoing rapid evolution of the media industry may reduce demand for some of our existing products and services.    New or 
non-traditional competitors may arise or adapt in response to this evolution of the media industry, which could create downward 
price pressure on our products and solutions and reduce our market share and revenue opportunities.

Our success depends in significant part on our ability to provide innovative products and solutions in response to dynamic 
and rapidly evolving market demand.

To succeed in our market, we must deliver innovative products and solutions.  Innovation requires both that we accurately predict 
future market trends and customer expectations and that we quickly adapt our development efforts in response.  We also have the 
challenge of protecting our product roadmap and new product initiatives from leaks to competitors that might reduce or eliminate 
any innovative edge that we seek to gain.  Predicting market trends is difficult, as our market is dynamic and rapidly evolving.  
Additionally, given the complex, sophisticated nature of our solutions and our typically lengthy product development cycles, we 
may not be able to rapidly change our product direction or strategic course.  If we are unable to accurately predict market trends 
or adapt to evolving market conditions, our ability to capture customer demand will suffer and our market reputation and financial 
performance will be negatively affected.  Even to the extent we make accurate predictions and possess the requisite flexibility to 
adapt, we may be able to pursue only a handful of possible innovations as a result of limited resources.  Our success, therefore, 
further depends on our ability to identify and focus on the most promising innovations.

When we do introduce new products, our success depends on our ability to manage a number of risks associated with new 
products including but not limited to timely and successful product launch, market acceptance, and the availability of products in 
appropriate locations, quantities and costs to meet demand. For example, we have focused a significant part of our development 
efforts on developing our Avid Everywhere Platform, discussed in the preceding risk factor.  There can be no assurance that our 
efforts will be successful in the near future, or at all, or that our competitors will not take significant market share in similar 
efforts.  If we fail to develop new products and to manage new product introductions and transitions properly, our financial 
condition and operating results could be harmed.

We may not be able to achieve the efficiencies, savings and other benefits anticipated from our cost reduction, margin 
improvement and other business optimization initiatives. 

We are continually reviewing and implementing programs throughout the company to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and 
enhance our business.  We have in the past undertaken and expect to continue to undertake various restructuring activities and cost 
reduction initiatives in an effort to better align our organizational structure and costs with our strategy. On February 26, 2016, we 
committed to a restructuring plan that encompasses a series of actions intended to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more 
directed cost structure.  The actions include reductions in our workforce, facility consolidation, transferring resources to lower 
cost regions and reducing other third-party services costs.  In connection with this restructuring plan, we expect to incur 
incremental cash expenditures of approximately $25 million relating to termination benefits, facility costs, employee overlap 
expenses and related actions.  We anticipate that the restructuring plan will be substantially complete by the end of the second 
quarter of 2017 and will result in annualized costs savings of appropriately $68 million.

In connection with these activities, we may experience a disruption in our ability to perform functions important to our strategy.  
Unexpected delays, increased costs, challenges with adapting our internal control environment to a new organizational structure, 
inability to retain and motivate employees or other challenges arising from these initiatives could adversely affect our ability to 
realize the anticipated savings or other intended benefits of these activities and could have a material adverse impact on our 
financial condition and operating results.

Certain of our enterprise offerings have long and complex sales cycles.

With our transition to leveraging the Avid MediaCentral platform in our sales process, we have experienced an elongation of the 
sales process for some of our enterprise offerings. The longevity and complexity in these sales cycles is due to a number of 
factors, including:

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• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

the need for our sales representatives to educate customers about the uses and benefits of our products and services, 
including technical capabilities, security features, potential cost savings and return on investment, which are made 
available in large-scale deployments,;
the desire of large and medium size organizations to undertake significant evaluation processes to determine their 
technology requirements prior to making information technology expenditures;
the negotiation of large, complex, enterprise-wide contracts, as often required by our and our customers' business and 
legal representatives;      
the need for our customers to obtain requisition approvals from various decision makers within their organizations; and 
customer budget constraints, economic conditions and unplanned administrative delays.

We spend substantial time and money on our sales efforts without any assurance that potential customers will ultimately purchase 
our solutions.  As we target our sales efforts at larger enterprise customers, these trends are expected to continue. Additionally, our 
enterprise sales pattern has historically been uneven, where a higher percentage of a quarter's total sales occur during the final 
weeks of each quarter, which is common in our industry.  Our long sales cycle for these products makes it difficult to predict 
when a given sales cycle will close.

Subscription offerings create risks related to the timing of revenue recognition.

We sell an increasing portion of our products based on a subscription model.  Although the subscription model is designed to 
increase the number of customers who purchase our products and services on a recurring basis and create a more predictable 
revenue stream, it creates certain risks and uncertainties related to the timing of revenue recognition and potential reductions in 
cash flows. A portion of the subscription-based revenue we report each quarter results from the recognition of deferred revenue 
relating to subscription agreements entered into during previous quarters. A decline in new or renewed subscriptions in any period 
may not be immediately reflected in our reported financial results for that period but may result in a decline in our revenue in 
future quarters. If we were to experience significant downturns in subscription sales and renewal rates, our reported financial 
results might not reflect such downturns until future periods. Our subscription model could also make it difficult for us to rapidly 
increase our revenues from subscription-based services through additional sales in any period, as revenue from new customers 
will be recognized over the applicable subscription term. Further, any increases in sales under our subscription sales model could 
result in decreased revenues over the short term if they are offset by a decline in sales from perpetual license customers. If any of 
our assumptions about revenue from our new businesses or our addition of a subscription-based model prove incorrect, our actual 
results may  materially differ from those anticipated, estimated or projected.  We may be unable to predict subscription renewal 
rates and the impact these rates may have on our future revenue and operating results.

If our customers do not renew their subscriptions for our services or if they renew on terms that are less favorable  to us, 
our revenues may decline

We sell Pro Tools, Media Composer and Sibelius on a subscription basis pursuant to service agreements that are generally month-
to-month or one year in length, and we intend to expand our subscription offerings to other products as well. Although many of 
our service and subscription agreements contain automatic renewal terms, our customers have no obligation to renew their 
subscriptions for our services after the expiration of their initial subscription period, and some customers elect not to renew. There 
is a risk that these subscriptions will not be renewed at the same or a higher level of service, for the same number of seats/licenses 
or for the same duration of time, or at all. Moreover, under certain circumstances, some of our customers have the right to cancel 
their service agreements prior to the expiration of the terms of their agreements. We may not be able to accurately predict future 
customer renewal rates. Our customers' renewal rates may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including their 
level of satisfaction with our services, the reliability of our subscription services, the prices of our services, the perceived 
information security of our systems and services, the prices of services offered by our competitors, mergers and acquisitions 
affecting our customer base, reductions in our customers' spending levels, or declines in customer activity as a result of economic 
downturns or uncertainty in financial markets. If our customers do not renew their subscriptions for our services or if they renew 
on terms less favorable to us, our revenues may decline.  Our future growth is also affected by our ability to sell additional 
features and services to our current customers, which depends on a number of factors, including customers' satisfaction with our 
products and services, the prices of our offerings and general economic conditions. If our efforts to cross-sell and upsell to our 
customers are unsuccessful, the rate at which our business grows may decline.

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Failure of our information systems or breaches of data security could impact our business.

Our systems and processes involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data, 
including personal information of employees, customers and others.  In addition, we rely on information systems controlled by 
third parties.  Information system failures, network disruptions and system and data security breaches, manipulation, destruction  
or leakage, whether intentional or accidental, could harm our ability to conduct our business, impede development, manufacture 
or shipment of products, interrupt or delay processing of transactions and reporting financial results or result in the unintentional 
disclosure of proprietary, personal, sensitive or confidential information. 

With our development of Avid Everywhere with its public and private marketplaces and cloud based offerings, our and our 
customer’s data and financial and proprietary information could become more susceptible to such failures and data breaches.  
Such data breaches could expose user data and materially damage business partner and customer relationships, adversely impact 
the attractiveness of Avid Everywhere for its users and subject us to possible litigation and adversely impact our operations. 
Additionally, significant or repeated reductions in the performance, reliability, security or availability of our information systems 
and network infrastructure could significantly harm our brand our reputation and ability to attract and retain existing and potential 
users, customers, advertisers and content providers. 

The Avid Everywhere cloud based offerings depend on the availability and proper functioning of certain third-party services.  The 
failure or improper functioning of these third party services could lead to outages, security breaches and data losses, including 
loss of customer creative assets.  If third-party services become unavailable, we may need to expend considerable resources 
identifying and integrating alternate providers and could face contractual liabilities, including penalties.

Our security measures may be insufficient to protect our systems against unauthorized access.  Data breaches could be caused by, 
external theft or attack, misconduct by our employees, contractors, or vendors, or many other causes such as power failures, 
earthquake, fire or other natural disasters or acts of God, which we may be unable to adequately protect against.  

Our failure to manage or mitigate any of these risks could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating 
results. 

Our international operations expose us to legal, regulatory and other risks that we may not face in the United States.

We derive more than half of our revenues from customers outside of the United States, and we rely on foreign contractors for the 
supply and manufacture of many of our products.  We also conduct significant research and development activities overseas, 
including through third-party development vendors.  For example, a portion of our research and development is outsourced to 
contractors operating in Thailand and we have expanded our own development activities to Taiwan, and the Philippines. Further, 
we expanded our operations into Poland and Israel with the acquisition of Orad. Our international operations are subject to a 
variety of risks that we may not face in the United States, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the financial and administrative burdens associated with compliance with a myriad of environmental, tax and export 
laws, as well as other business regulations in foreign jurisdictions, including high compliance costs, inconsistencies 
among jurisdictions, and a lack of administrative or judicial interpretative guidance;

reduced or varied protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;

regional economic downturns;

economic, social and political instability abroad and international security concerns in general and the risk of war;

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

longer collection cycles for accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing contracts;

difficulties in managing and staffing international implementations and operations, and executing our business strategy 
internationally;

potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of foreign value added or other tax systems and 
restrictions on the repatriation of earnings;

increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;

difficulties in maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls;

costs and delays associated with developing products in multiple languages; and

13

• 

foreign exchange controls that may prevent or limit our ability to repatriate income earned in foreign markets.

Our overall success in international markets depends, in part, on our ability to succeed in differing legal, regulatory, economic, 
social and political conditions.  We may not be successful in developing, implementing or maintaining policies and strategies that 
will be effective in managing these risks in each country where we do business.  Our failure to manage these risks successfully, 
including developing appropriate contingency plans for our outsourced research and development work, could harm our 
international operations, reduce our international sales and increase our costs, thus adversely affecting our business, operating 
results and financial condition.

We operate in many different jurisdictions and we could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt 
Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar foreign anti-corruption laws.

The FCPA, and similar foreign anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from offering, 
promising, authorizing, or making payments to foreign officials for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official 
in his or her official capacity, inducing the official to do any act in violation of his or her lawful duty, or to secure any improper 
advantage in obtaining or retaining business. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in the global enforcement of anti-
corruption laws, with more frequent voluntary self-disclosures by companies, aggressive investigations and enforcement 
proceedings by both the DOJ and the SEC resulting in record fines and penalties, increased enforcement activity by non-U.S. 
regulators, and increases in criminal and civil proceedings brought against companies and individuals.

Our internal policies mandate compliance with these anti-corruption laws. We operate in many parts of the world that are 
recognized as having governmental corruption problems to some degree and where local customs and practices may not foster 
strict compliance with anti-corruption laws.  Our continued operation and expansion outside the United States could increase the 
risk of such violations in the future. Despite our training and compliance programs, we cannot assure you that our internal control 
policies and procedures will protect us from unauthorized reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees or agents. In the 
event that we believe or have reason to believe that our employees or agents have or may have violated applicable anti-corruption 
laws, including the FCPA, we may be required to investigate or have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and 
circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management. Violations of these 
laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, which could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on 
our reputation, business, results of operations or financial condition.

Failure of our information systems or breaches of data security could impact our business. 

Our systems and processes involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data, 
including personal information of employees, customers and others.  In addition, we rely on information systems controlled by 
third parties.  Information system failures, network disruptions and system and data security breaches, manipulation, destruction  
or leakage, whether intentional or accidental, could harm our ability to conduct our business, impede development, manufacture 
or shipment of products, interrupt or delay processing of transactions and reporting financial results or result in the unintentional 
disclosure of proprietary, sensitive or confidential information. With our development of Avid Everywhere with its public and 
private marketplaces and cloud based offerings, our and our customer’s data and financial and proprietary information could 
become more susceptible to such failures and data breaches.  Additionally, significant or repeated reductions in the performance, 
reliability, security or availability of our information systems and network infrastructure could significantly harm our brand and 
reputation and ability to attract and retain existing and potential users, customers, advertisers and content providers.

Such information system failures or unauthorized access could be caused by our failure to adequately maintain and enhance these 
systems and networks, external theft or attack, misconduct by our employees, contractors, or vendors, or many other causes such 
as power failures, earthquake, fire or other natural disasters.  Such information system failures or unauthorized access could 
expose us, our customers or the individuals affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, resulting in litigation and 
potential liability for us.  In addition, the cost and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures 
could be significant.

Additionally, the Avid Everywhere cloud based offerings depend on the availability and proper functioning of certain third-party 
services, including but not limited to cloud provider, database management, backup, monitoring and logging services.  The failure 
or improper functioning of these third party services could lead to outages, security breaches and data losses, including loss of 

14

customer creative assets.  If third-party services become unavailable, we may need to expend considerable resources identifying 
and integrating alternate providers.

We have a significant relationship with manufacturing and hardware development vendors with operations in China and 
Thailand.  This may reduce our control over the manufacturing activities, provide uncertain cost savings and expose our 
proprietary assets to greater risk of misappropriation, and changes to those relationships may result in delays or 
disruptions that could harm our business.

We rely on vendors for the development and manufacture of certain of our hardware products, primarily in China and Thailand.  
These relationships provide us with more flexible resource capabilities, access to global talent and cost savings, but also expose us 
to risks that may not exist or may be less pronounced with respect to our internal operations.  We are able to exercise only limited 
oversight of our contractors, including with respect to their engineering and manufacturing processes, resource allocations, 
delivery schedules, security procedures and quality control.  Language, cultural and time zone differences complicate effective 
management of contractors that are located abroad.  Additionally, competition for talent in certain locations may lead to high 
turnover rates that disrupt development or manufacturing continuity.  The manufacturers we use also manufacture products for 
other companies, including our competitors.  Our contractors could choose to prioritize capacity for other users, increase the 
prices they charge us or reduce or eliminate deliveries to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.  Pricing 
terms offered by contractors may be highly variable over time reflecting, among other things, order volume, local inflation and 
exchange rates.  For example, during the past few years, including in 2015, most of our outsourced manufacturers have been in 
China, where the cost of manufacturing has been increasing and labor unrest and turn-over rates at manufacturers have been on 
the rise.  Some of our contractor relationships are based on contract, while others operate on a purchase order basis, where we do 
not have the benefit of written protections with respect to pricing or other critical terms.

Many of our contractors require access to our intellectual property and our confidential and proprietary information to perform 
their services. Protection of these assets in relevant offshore locations, may be less robust than in the United States.  We must rely 
on policies and procedures we have instituted with our contractors and certain confidentiality and contractual provisions in our 
written agreements, to the extent they exist, for protection.  These safeguards may be inadequate to prevent breaches. If a breach 
were to occur, available legal or other remedies may be limited or otherwise insufficient to compensate us for any resulting 
damages.

Furthermore, if one of our international vendors were, for any reason, to cease or experience significant disruptions in its 
operations, among others as a result of political unrest, we might be unable to replace it on a timely basis with a comparably 
priced provider.  We would also have to expend time and resources to train any new development or manufacturing vendor.  If any 
of the vendors were to suffer an interruption in its business, or experience delays, disruptions or quality control problems in 
development or manufacturing operations, or if we had to change development or manufacturing vendors, our ability to provide 
services to our customers would be delayed and our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely 
affected.

Potential acquisitions could be difficult to consummate and integrate into our operations, and they and investment 
transactions could disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value or impair our financial results.

As part of our business strategy, from time to time we may seek to grow our business through acquisitions of or investments in 
new or complementary businesses,  technologies or products that we believe can improve our ability to compete in our existing 
customer markets or allow us to enter new markets. The potential risks associated with acquisitions and investment transactions 
include, but are not limited to:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

failure to realize anticipated returns on investment, cost savings and synergies;

difficulty in assimilating the operations, policies and personnel of the acquired company;

unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions;

challenges in combining product offerings and entering into new markets in which we may not have experience;

distraction of management’s attention from normal business operations;

potential loss of key employees of the acquired company;

difficulty implementing effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;

impairment of relationships with customers or suppliers;

15

• 

• 

possibility of incurring impairment losses related to goodwill and intangible assets; and 

unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence, which may include product quality issues or legal or other 
contingencies.

In order to complete an acquisition or investment transaction, we may need to obtain financing, including through the incurrence 
of borrowings or the issuance of debt or equity securities.  This could potentially dilute stockholder value for existing 
stockholders.  We may borrow to finance an acquisition, and the amount and terms of any potential future acquisition-related 
borrowings, as well as other factors, could affect our liquidity and financial condition and potentially our credit ratings.  We may 
not be able to consummate such financings on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in which case our ability to complete 
desired acquisitions or investments and to implement our business strategy, and as a result our financial results, may be materially 
impaired.  In addition, our effective tax rate on an ongoing basis is uncertain, and business combinations and investment 
transactions could impact our effective tax rate. We may experience risks relating to the challenges and costs of closing a business 
combination or investment transaction and the risk that an announced business combination or investment transaction may not 
close.  As a result, any completed, pending or future transactions may contribute to financial results that differ from the 
investment community’s expectations in a given quarter.

We may not realize the growth opportunities and cost synergies that are anticipated from our acquisition of Orad.

The benefits we expect to achieve from our acquisition of Orad will depend, in part, on our ability to realize anticipated growth 
opportunities and cost synergies. Our success in realizing these growth opportunities and cost synergies, and the timing of this 
realization, depends on the successful integration of Orad's business, operations, products and personnel with ours. Even if we are 
able to integrate Orad's business with ours successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the 
growth opportunities and cost synergies we currently expect within the anticipated time frame or at all because of costs incurred 
or delays in integrating the companies and other challenges and risks such as, among others those described in the above risk 
factor  “Potential acquisitions could be difficult to consummate and integrate into our operations, and they and investment 
transactions could disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value or impair our financial results” If we are not successful in 
meeting these challenges, our business, financial and operational results could be materially adversely affected.

We obtain hardware product components and finished goods under sole-source supply arrangements, and any disruptions 
to these arrangements could jeopardize the manufacturing or distribution of certain of our hardware products.

Although we generally prefer to establish multi-source supply arrangements for our hardware product components and finished 
goods, multi-source arrangements are not always possible or cost-effective.  We consequently depend on sole-source suppliers for 
certain hardware product components and finished goods, including some critical items.  We do not generally carry significant 
inventories of, and may not in all cases have guaranteed supply arrangements for, these sole-sourced items.  If any of our sole-
source suppliers were to cease, suspend or otherwise limit production or shipment (due to, among other things, macroeconomic 
events, political crises or natural or environmental disasters or other occurrences), or adversely modify supply terms or pricing, 
our ability to manufacture, distribute and service our products may be impaired and our business could be harmed.  We cannot be 
certain that we will be able to obtain sole-sourced components or finished goods, or acceptable substitutes, from alternative 
suppliers or that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms.  We may also be required to expend significant 
development resources to redesign our products to work around the exclusion of any sole-sourced component or accommodate the 
inclusion of any substitute component.

We depend on the availability and proper functioning of certain third-party technology that we incorporate into or bundle 
with our products.  Third-party technology may include defects or errors that could adversely affect the performance of 
our products.  If third-party technology becomes unavailable, we may need to expend considerable resources integrating 
alternative third-party technology or developing our own substitute technology.

We license third-party technology for incorporation into or bundling with our products.  This technology may provide us with 
critical or strategic feature sets or functionality.  The profit margin for each of our products depends in part on the royalty, license 
and purchase fees we pay in connection with third-party technology.  To the extent we add additional third-party technology to our 
products and we are unable to offset associated costs, our profit margins may decline and our operating results may suffer.  In 
addition to cost implications, third-party technology may include defects or errors that could adversely affect the performance of 
our products, which may harm our market reputation or adversely affect our product sales.  Third-party technology may also 
include certain open source software code that if used in combination with our own software may jeopardize our intellectual 

16

property rights or limit our ability to sell through certain sales channels.  If any third-party technology license expires, is 
terminated or ceases to be available on commercially reasonable terms, we may be required to expend considerable resources 
integrating alternative third-party technology or developing our own substitute technology.  In the interim, sales of our products 
may be delayed or suspended or we may be forced to distribute our products with reduced feature sets or functionality.

Lengthy procurement lead times and unpredictable life cycles and customer demand for some of our products may result 
in significant inventory risks.

With respect to many of our products, particularly our audio products, we must procure component parts and build finished 
inventory far in advance of product shipments.  Certain of these products may have unpredictable life cycles and encounter rapid 
technological obsolescence as a result of dynamic market conditions.  We procure product components and build inventory based 
upon our forecasts of product life cycle and customer demand.  If we are unable to accurately forecast product life cycle and 
customer demand or unable to manage our inventory levels in response to shifts in customer demand, the result may be 
insufficient, excess or obsolete product inventory.  Insufficient product inventory may impair our ability to fulfill product orders 
and negatively affect our revenues, while excess or obsolete inventory may require a write-down on products and components to 
their net realizable value, which would negatively affect our results of operations.

Our revenues and operating results depend significantly on our third-party reseller and distribution channels. Our failure 
to adequately manage the delivery model for our products and services could adversely affect our revenues and gross 
margins and therefore our profitability.

We distribute many of our products indirectly through third-party resellers and distributors.  We also distribute products directly to 
end-user customers.  Successfully managing the interaction of our direct and indirect channel efforts to reach various potential 
customer industries for our products and services is a complex process.  For example, in response to our direct sales strategies or 
for other business reasons, our current resellers and distributors may from time to time choose to resell our competitors’ products 
in addition to, or in place of, ours.  Moreover, since each distribution method has distinct risks and gross margins, our failure to 
identify and implement the most advantageous balance in the delivery model for our products and services could adversely affect 
our revenues and gross margins and therefore our profitability.

In addition, some of our resellers and distributors have rights of return, as well as inventory stock rotation and price protection.  
Accordingly, reserves for estimated returns and exchanges, and credits for price protection, are recorded as a reduction of 
revenues upon applicable product shipment, and are based upon our historical experience.  Our reliance upon indirect distribution 
methods may reduce visibility to demand and pricing issues, and therefore make forecasting more difficult and, to the extent that 
returns exceed estimates, our revenues and operating results may be adversely affected.

Our products may experience quality issues that could negatively impact our customer relationships, our market 
reputation and our operating results.

Our software products, as is typical of sophisticated, complex software, occasionally include coding defects or errors (commonly 
referred to as “bugs”), which in some cases may interfere with or impair a customer’s ability to operate or use the software.  
Similarly, our hardware products could include design or manufacturing defects that could cause them to malfunction.  Although 
we employ quality control measures, those measures are not designed or intended to detect and remedy all defects.  The time and  
resources available to devote to quality control measures are, in part, dependent on other business considerations, such as meeting 
customer expectations with respect to release schedules.  Any product defects could result in loss of customers or revenues, delays 
in revenue recognition, increased product returns, damage to our market reputation and significant warranty or other expense and 
could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results.

Our success depends in part on our ability to hire and retain competent and skilled management and technical, sales and 
other personnel.

We are highly dependent on the continued service and performance of our management team and key technical, sales and other 
personnel and our success will depend in part on our ability to retain these employees in a competitive job market. If we fail to 
appropriately match the skill sets of our employees to our needs we may incur increased costs or experience challenges with 
execution of our strategic plan.  We rely on cash bonuses and equity awards as significant compensation and retention tools for 
key personnel.  In addition to compensation, we seek to foster an innovative work culture to retain employees.  We also rely on 

17

the attractiveness of developing technology for the film, television and music industries as a means of retention. We continue to 
take actions to transform strategically, operationally and culturally and to achieve cost savings, all with the intent to drive 
improved operating performance both in the U.S and internationally   The uncertainty inherent in our transformational strategy 
and the resulting workload and stress may make it difficult to attract and retain key personnel and increase turnover of key 
officers and employees.

Our competitors may in some instances be able to offer a more established or more dynamic work environment, higher 
compensation or more opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology than we can.  If we are unable to retain our key 
personnel or appropriately match skill sets with our needs, we would be required to expend significant time and financial 
resources to identify and hire new qualified personnel and to transfer significant internal historical knowledge, which might 
significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.

Our intellectual property and trade secrets are valuable assets that may be subject to third-party infringement and 
misappropriation.

As a technology company, our intellectual property and trade secrets are among our most valuable assets.  Infringement or 
misappropriation of these assets can result in lost revenues to us and thereby ultimately reduce their value.  We rely on a 
combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures, contractual provisions 
and anti-piracy technology in certain of our products to protect our intellectual property and trade secrets.  Most of these tools 
require vigilant monitoring of competitor and other third-party activities and of end-user usage of our products to be effective.  
These tools may not provide adequate protection in all instances, may be subject to circumvention, or may require a vigilance that 
in some cases exceeds our capabilities or resources.  Additionally, our business model is increasingly focused on software 
products and as we offer more software products our revenues may be more vulnerable to loss through piracy, which could result 
in revenue losses for us.  While we may seek to engage with those potentially infringing our intellectual property to negotiate a 
license for use, we also may seek legal recourse, which could be costly.  The legal regimes of certain foreign jurisdictions in 
which we operate, may not protect our intellectual property or trade secrets to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.  
If our intellectual property or trade secrets are misappropriated in foreign jurisdictions, we may be without adequate remedies to 
address these issues. Regardless of jurisdiction, assuming legal protection exists and infringement or misappropriation is detected, 
any enforcement action that we may pursue could be costly and time-consuming, the outcome will be uncertain, and the alleged 
offender in some cases may seek to have our intellectual property rights invalidated.  If we are unable to protect our intellectual 
property and trade secrets, our business could be harmed.

Our results could be materially adversely affected if we are accused of, or found to be, infringing third parties’ intellectual 
property rights.

Because of technological change in our industry, extensive and sometimes uncertain patent coverage, and the rapid issuance of 
new patents, it is possible that certain of our products or business methods may infringe the patents or other intellectual property 
rights of third parties.  Companies in the technology industry own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade 
secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. 
Our technologies may not be able to withstand any third-party claims or rights against their use.  We have received claims and are 
subject to litigation alleging that we infringe patents owned by third parties and may in the future be the subject to such claims 
and litigation.  Regardless of the scope or validity of such patents or the merits of any patent claims by potential or actual 
litigants, we could incur substantial costs in defending intellectual property claims and litigation, and such claims and litigation 
could distract management’s attention from normal business operations.  In addition, we provide indemnification provisions in 
agreements with certain customers covering potential claims by third parties of intellectual property infringement.  These 
agreements generally provide that we will indemnify customers for losses incurred in connection with an infringement claim 
brought by a third party with respect to our products, and we have received claims for such indemnification.  The results of any 
intellectual property litigation to which we are, or may become, a party, or for which we are required to provide indemnification, 
may require us to:

cease selling or using products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

• 
•  make substantial payments for legal fees, settlement payments or other costs or damages;

• 

obtain a license, which may not be available on reasonable terms, to sell or use the relevant technology, which such 
license could require royalties that would significantly increase our cost of goods sold; or

18

• 

redesign products or services to avoid infringement, which such redesign could involve significant costs and result in 
delayed and/or reduced sales of the affected products.

If we are unable to sell our professional products through retail sales channels, our operating results could be adversely 
affected. 

Following the divestiture of certain of our consumer product lines in July 2012, we continue to have a presence in retail because 
our professional-level products are offered through specialty retail stores.  Our ability to continue to sell our professional products 
through certain retail sales channels may be impaired because we will sell fewer types of products and fewer units through those 
channels, impacting retailers’ willingness to carry our professional-level products.

Unanticipated changes in our tax provisions, the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities 
could affect our profitability.

We are subject to income and other taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions.  Our tax liabilities are affected 
by the amounts we charge for inventory, services, licenses and other items in intercompany transactions. We are also subject to 
ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions.  Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional 
transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes.  We regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits in order to 
determine the appropriateness of our tax provision.  However, there can be no assurance that we will accurately predict the 
outcomes of these audits, and the amounts ultimately paid upon the resolution of an audit could be materially different from the 
amounts previously included in our income tax expense and therefore could have a material impact on our tax provision, net 
income and cash flows. In addition, our tax provision in the future could be adversely affected by changes to our operating 
structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax 
assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws and the discovery of new information in the course of our tax return preparation process.

We may be subject to litigation, which, if adversely determined, could harm our business and operating results.

We may be subject to legal claims arising in the normal course of business. The costs of defending any litigation, whether in cash 
expenses or in management time, could harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash 
flows. An unfavorable outcome in any litigation matter could require that we pay substantial damages, or, in connection with any 
intellectual property infringement claims, could require that we pay ongoing royalty payments or prohibit us from selling certain 
of our products. In addition, we may decide to settle any litigation, which could cause us to incur significant settlement costs. A 
settlement or an unfavorable outcome on any litigation matter could have a material and adverse effect on our business, operating 
results, financial condition and cash flows.

A natural disaster or catastrophic event may significantly limit our ability to conduct business as normal and harm our 
business.

Our operations and the operations of our customers are vulnerable to interruptions by natural disasters or catastrophic events.  For 
example, we operate a complex, geographically dispersed business, which includes significant personnel, customers and facilities 
in California near major earthquake fault lines.  We may not be able to protect our company from such catastrophic events and we 
are predominantly uninsured for business continuity losses and disruptions caused by catastrophic events.  Disruption or failure of 
our or our customers’ networks or systems, or injury or damage to either parties’ personnel or physical infrastructure, caused by a 
natural disaster, public health crisis, terrorism, cyber attack, act of war or other catastrophic event may significantly limit our or 
our customers’ ability to conduct business as normal, including our ability to communicate and transact with customers, suppliers, 
distributors and resellers, which may negatively affect our revenues and operating results.  Additionally, a natural disaster or 
catastrophic event could cause us or our customers to suspend all or a portion of operations for a significant period of time, result 
in a permanent loss of resources, and require the relocation of personnel and material to alternate facilities that may not be 
available or adequate.  Such an event could also cause an indirect economic impact on our customers, which could impact our 
customers’ purchasing decisions and reduce demand for our products and services.  A prolonged disruption of our business could 
also damage our reputation, particularly among our global news organization customers who are likely to require our solutions 
and support during such time.  Any of these factors could cause a material adverse impact on our financial condition and 
operating results.

19

Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Financial Performance

If we are not able to generate and maintain adequate liquidity our ability to operate our business could be adversely 
affected. 

Generating and maintaining adequate liquidity is important to our business operations.  We meet our liquidity needs primarily 
through cash generated by operations, proceeds from our issuance of 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2020, and borrowings 
represented by the Term Loan under the Financing Agreement.  We also have the ability to borrow up to $5.0 million under the 
Credit Facility.   We have also undertaken significant cost cutting measures, including pursuant to the restructuring plan we 
announced in February 2016, and we may take additional measures to further improve our liquidity. Significant fluctuations in our 
cash balances could harm our ability to meet our immediate liquidity needs, impair our capacity to react to sudden or unexpected 
contractions or growth in our business, reduce our ability to withstand a sustained period of economic crisis, and impair our 
ability to compete with competitors with greater financial resources.  In addition, fluctuations in our cash balances could cause us 
to draw on our Credit Facility and therefore reduce available funds under the Credit Facility (see “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K).   If we 
are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or our borrowings are not sufficient, our liquidity may significantly decrease, which 
could have an adverse effect on our business. 

Restrictions in the Financing Agreement may limit our activities.

The Financing Agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that could otherwise benefit 
us, including, among other things, limitations on our ability to make investments, incur additional indebtedness, issue equity, sell 
assets, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, and create liens. We are also required to comply on an ongoing basis 
with certain financial covenants, including a maximum leverage ratio and an annual limit on the amount of our capital 
expenditures.  Failure to comply with any of these restrictions or covenants may result in an event of default under the Financing 
Agreement, which could permit acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness under the Financing Agreement and require us to 
repay such indebtedness before its scheduled due date. Certain events of default under the Financing Agreement may also give 
rise to a default under our convertible notes due 2020 or other future indebtedness.  If an event of default were to occur, we might 
not have sufficient funds available to make the payments required. If we are unable to repay amounts owed, our lenders may be 
entitled to foreclose on and sell substantially all of our assets, which secure our borrowings under the Financing 
Agreement.

Our debt levels increased significantly as a result of our entry into the Financing Agreement, our issuance of the 2.00% 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (“Notes”) and our borrowings under the Term Loan, and our substantial indebtedness 
could adversely affect our business, cash flow and results of operations. 

Our indebtedness increased by $195 million as a result of our entry into the Financing Agreement in February 2016 and our 
issuance of the Notes in June 2015. We also borrowed $100.0 million under the Term Loan.  This increased level of indebtedness 
may:

• 

• 

• 

• 

require us to dedicate a greater percentage of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing 
the availability of cash flow to fund capital expenditures, pursue other acquisitions or investments and use for general 
corporate purposes; 

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions, including increases in interest rates with respect to 
borrowings under the Financing Agreement that bear interest at variable rates or when our indebtedness is being 
refinanced; 

limit our ability to obtain additional financing; and 

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in or challenges relating to our business and industry, creating 
competitive disadvantages compared to other competitors with lower debt levels and borrowing costs. 

We cannot assure you that our cash flow from operations, combined with any additional borrowings available to us, will be 
sufficient to enable us to repay our indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. We may incur additional indebtedness in the 
future, which could cause these risks to intensify. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows, we may be required to adopt 
one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be 
onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial 

20

condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, 
which could result in a default on our debt obligations.

We have deferred a significant portion of revenues from customer transactions occurring prior to 2011 to subsequent 
periods.  The deferred revenues resulted in our reporting net income for the fiscal years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.  
However, as deferred revenues from periods prior to 2011 are amortized, there are no assurances that we will be able to 
report net income in future periods.

As a result of the restatement of our September 30, 2012 and prior financial statements, which was completed in 2014, we have 
deferred a significant portion of revenues from customer transactions occurring prior to 2011 to subsequent periods. The deferred 
revenue resulted in our reporting net income of approximately $2 million in 2015, $15 million in 2014, and $21 million in 2013 
and also adversely affected our stockholders’ equity and working capital for those periods.  As this deferred revenue is amortized, 
there are no assurances that we will be able to report net income in future periods.  Our financial results and the impact of the 
deferred revenue are discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in 
Item 7 of this Form 10-K.  

Our revenues and operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate from period to period.

Our results of operations have been and may continue to be subject to significant quarterly variation.  Our results through 2016 
will, in particular, be affected by the amortization of deferred revenues relating to periods prior to 2011.  Our revenues and 
operating results for any particular quarter may also vary due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those 
enumerated under the section “Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements,” appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K and:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the timing of large or enterprise-wide sales and our ability to recognize revenues from such sales;

demand planning and logistics;

reliance on third-party reseller and distribution channels;

changes in operating expenses; 

price protections and provisions for inventory obsolescence extended to resellers and distributors; 

seasonal factors, such as higher consumer demand at year-end; and

complex accounting rules for revenue recognition.

The occurrence and interaction of these variables may cause our revenues and operating results to fluctuate from period to period.  
As a result, period-to-period comparisons of our revenues and operating results may not provide a good indication of our future 
performance.  We cannot be certain when, or if, our operations will be profitable in future periods.

Our revenue backlog estimates are based on certain assumptions and are subject to unexpected adjustments and 
cancellations and backlog orders may not be timely converted to revenues in any particular fiscal period, if at all, or be 
indicative of our actual operating results for any future period.

Our revenue backlog, as we define it, consists of firm orders received and includes both (i) orders where the customer has paid in 
advance of our performance obligations being fulfilled, which are reflected as deferred revenues on our balance sheet, and (ii) 
orders for future product deliveries or services that have not yet been invoiced by us.  To the extent that our customers cancel their 
orders with us or reduce their requirements during a particular period for any reason, we will not realize revenue or profit from the 
associated revenue backlog.  Even where a project proceeds as scheduled, it is possible that the customer may default and fail to 
pay amounts owed to us.  Material delays, payment defaults or cancellations could reduce the amount of revenue backlog 
currently reported, and consequently, could inhibit the conversion of that backlog into revenues.  Furthermore, orders included in 
our revenue backlog may not be profitable.  We may experience variances in the realization of our revenue backlog because of 
project delays or cancellations resulting from external market factors and economic factors beyond our control. As a result, even if 
we realize all of the revenue from the projects in our revenue backlog, if our expenses associated with these projects are higher 
than expected, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.

21

Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may result in short-term currency exchange losses and could adversely affect our 
revenues from foreign markets and our manufacturing costs in the long term.

Our international sales are, for the most part, transacted through foreign subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the end-user 
customers.  Consequently, we are exposed to short-term currency exchange risks that may adversely affect our revenues, 
operating results and cash flows.  The majority of our international sales are transacted in euros.  To hedge against the dollar/euro 
exchange exposure of the resulting forecasted payables, receivables and cash balances, we may enter into foreign currency 
contracts.  The success of our hedging programs depends on the accuracy of our forecasts of transaction activity in foreign 
currency.  To the extent that these forecasts are over- or understated during periods of currency volatility, we may experience 
currency gains or losses.  Our hedging activities may only offset a portion of the adverse financial impact resulting from 
unfavorable movement in dollar/euro exchange rates, which could adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.

Furthermore, the significance to our business of sales in Europe subjects us to risks associated with long-term changes in the 
dollar/euro exchange rate.  A sustained strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro would decrease our expected future U.S. 
dollar revenues from European sales and could have a significant adverse effect on our overall profit margins.  During the past 
few years, economic instability in Europe, including concern over sovereign debt in Greece, Italy, Ireland and certain other 
European Union countries, caused significant fluctuations in the value of the euro relative to those of other currencies, including 
the U.S. dollar.  Continuing uncertainty regarding economic conditions, including the solvency of these countries and the stability 
of the Eurozone, could lead to significant long-term economic weakness and reduced economic growth in Europe, the occurrence 
of which, or the potential occurrence of which, could lead to a sustained strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro, 
adversely affecting the profitability of our European operations.

In addition, we source and manufacture many of our products in China and our costs may increase should the renminbi not remain 
stable with the U.S. dollar.  Although the renminbi is pegged against a basket of currencies determined by the People’s Bank of 
China, the renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the long term.  In addition, if 
China were to permit the renminbi to float to a free market rate of exchange, it is widely anticipated that the renminbi would 
appreciate significantly in value against U.S. dollar.  An increase in the value of the renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have 
the effect of increasing the labor and production costs of our Chinese manufacturers in U.S. dollar terms, which may result in their 
passing such costs to us in the form of increased pricing, which would adversely affect our profit margins if we could not pass 
those price increases along to our customers.

Economic weakness and uncertainty could adversely affect our revenues, gross margins and expenses.

Our business is impacted by global economic conditions, which have been in recent years and continue to be volatile.  
Specifically, our revenues and gross margins depend significantly on global economic conditions and the demand for our products 
and services in the markets in which we compete.  Economic weakness and uncertainty have resulted, and may result in the 
future, in decreased revenue, gross margin, earnings or growth rates and difficulty managing inventory levels.  Sustained 
uncertainty about global economic conditions may adversely affect demand for our products and services and could cause demand 
to differ materially from our expectations as customers curtail or delay spending on our products and services.  Economic 
weakness and uncertainty also make it more difficult for us to make accurate forecasts of revenues, gross margins and expenses.

The inability of our customers to obtain credit in the future may impair their ability to make timely payments to us.  Tightening of 
credit by financial institutions could also lead customers to postpone spending or to cancel, decrease or delay their existing or 
future orders with us.  Customer insolvencies could negatively impact our revenues and our ability to collect receivables.  
Financial difficulties experienced by our suppliers or distributors could result in product delays, increased accounts receivable 
defaults and inventory challenges.  In the event we are impacted by global economic weakness, we may record additional charges 
relating to restructuring costs or the impairment of assets and our business and results of operations could be materially and 
adversely affected.

Risks related to our restatement, accounting review and internal controls

Our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of 
December 31, 2015.  We may not be able to properly remediate existing or future weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal 
controls, which could adversely affect our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements, harm our 
reputation, negatively impact our stock price and damage our business.

22

In the second quarter of 2013, we determined that we needed to restate revenue for millions of customer transactions for interim 
and annual periods ended during the periods from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2012 (the Restatement Periods) to correct 
errors in our historically issued financial statements. In addition, certain other adjustments arose in the Restatement Periods that 
were deemed material and were adjusted in the restated financial statements for the Restatement Periods. The errors in the 
misapplication of GAAP over revenue recognition and the other errors identified resulted from several control deficiencies that 
were in existence during the Restatement Periods, some of which remain. As described in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and 
Procedures,” of this Form 10-K we have not had sufficient time to fully remediate the aforementioned deficiencies and/or there 
was insufficient passage of time to evidence that the controls that were implemented during 2014 and 2015 were effective. As a 
result, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures were not 
effective as of December 31, 2015.

While we continue with our efforts to remediate the identified weaknesses, we cannot assure you that our remediation efforts will 
be adequate to allow us to conclude that such controls will become effective during fiscal year 2016.  We also cannot assure you 
that additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not arise or be identified in the future.  We 
intend to continue our control remediation activities and also to continue to improve our operational, information technology, 
financial systems, and infrastructure, procedures and controls, as well as to continue to expand, train, retain, and manage our 
personnel who are essential to effective internal control. In doing so, we will continue to incur expenses and expend management 
time on compliance-related issues.

If we fail to successfully remediate our material weaknesses and implement appropriate controls, we may not be able to prevent or 
detect a material misstatement in our financial statements on a timely basis or at all.  Such misstatements could result in a future 
restatement of our financial statements, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, or could cause investors to lose 
confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price or litigation.  Furthermore, our reputation 
could be harmed and our customers’ and partners’ confidence in us may be impaired, all of which could damage our business. For 
a discussion of the material weaknesses, please see Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” of this Form 10-K. 

We cannot assure you that our financial statement preparation and reporting processes are or will be adequate or that 
future restatements will not be required.

While we have, following the restatement, significantly changed and enhanced our regular financial statement preparation and 
reporting processes (as described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC), as of the filing date of this Form 10-K, previously 
identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting have not have been fully remediated and we 
continue to:

•  make changes to our finance organization;

• 

• 

• 

• 

adopt new accounting and reporting processes and procedures;

enhance our revenue recognition and other existing accounting policies and procedures;

introduce new or enhanced accounting systems and processes; and

improve our internal control over financial reporting.

We cannot assure you that the changes and enhancements made to date, or those that are still in process, are adequate, will operate 
as expected, or will be completed in a timely fashion (if still in process). As a result, we cannot assure you that we will not 
discover additional errors, that future financial reports will not contain material misstatements or omissions, that future 
restatements will not be required, that we will be able to timely complete our remaining SEC filings for periods subsequent to this 
Form 10-K, or that we will be able to stay current with our reporting obligations in the future.

We may not have sufficient insurance to cover our liability in any current or future litigation claims either due to coverage 
limits or as a result of insurance carriers seeking to deny coverage of such claims. 

We face a variety of litigation-related liability risks, including potential liability for indemnification of (and advancement of 
expenses to) current and former directors, officers, and employees under certain circumstances, pursuant to our certificate of 
incorporation, bylaws, other applicable agreements, and/or Delaware law.

23

Our insurance coverage under our policies may not be adequate to cover any indemnification or other claims against us.  In 
addition, the underwriters of our present coverage may seek to avoid coverage in certain circumstances based upon the terms of 
the respective policies, in which case we would have to self-fund any indemnification amounts owed to our directors and officers 
and bear any other uninsured liabilities.

If we do not have sufficient directors and officers insurance coverage under our present or historical insurance policies, or if our 
insurance underwriters are successful in avoiding coverage, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially 
adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Stock

The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile.

The  market price of our common stock has historically experienced volatility. Our stock may continue to fluctuate substantially 
in the future in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These factors include, but are not limited to:

• 

• 

• 

period-to-period variations in our revenues or operating results;

our failure to accurately forecast revenues or operating results or to report financial or operating results within the range 
of our previously issued guidance;
our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements;

•  whether our results meet analysts’ expectations;

•  market reaction to significant corporate initiatives or announcements;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our ability to innovate;

our relative competitive position within our markets;

shifts in markets or demand for our solutions;

changes in our relationships with suppliers, resellers, distributors or customers;

our commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;

short sales, hedging or other derivative transactions involving shares of our common stock; and

shifts in financial markets and fluctuations of exchange rates.

Additionally, broader financial market and global economic trends may affect the market price of our common stock, regardless 
of our operating performance.

Delaware law and our charter documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could reduce the market price of 
our common stock.

We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various impediments to the ability of a 
third party to acquire control of us, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. In addition, our 
board of directors or a committee thereof has the power, without stockholder approval, to designate the terms of one or more 
series of preferred stock and issue shares of preferred stock. The ability of our board of directors or a committee thereof to create 
and issue a new series of preferred stock, our stockholders rights plan and certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate 
of incorporation and bylaws could impede a merger, takeover or other business combination involving us or discourage a potential 
acquirer from making a tender offer for our common stock, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market price of 
our common stock.

Risks related to our 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2020

The use of cash to satisfy our conversion obligation under the Notes may adversely affect our liquidity, and we may not 
have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions in cash or to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental 
change. The agreements governing our other indebtedness may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon 
conversion or repurchase of the Notes.

24

On June 15, 2015, we completed an offering of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes.  The Notes may be 
converted into shares of our common stock, at the election of the holder, if certain conditions are met, including, among other 
things, the last reported sale price of the common stock being greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the notes 
(initially $21.94 per share) for at least 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days.  In the event the conditional 
conversion feature of the Notes is triggered and one or more holders elect to convert their Notes, we may elect to satisfy our 
conversion obligation by paying cash or by delivering shares of our common stock.  Further, holders of the Notes have the right to 
require us to repurchase their notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, which generally means a merger, sale of all or 
substantially all of our assets, or other similar change of control transaction.  To the extent we do not elect to satisfy our 
conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our common stock, we would be required to settle a portion or all of our 
conversion obligation through the payment of cash.  The use of cash to settle our conversion obligation could adversely affect our 
liquidity. Further, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make 
repurchases of the Notes surrendered or to make cash payments in respect of Notes being converted.  The Financing Agreement 
contains a restriction on our ability to settle conversions of the Notes with cash.

The conditional conversion feature of the Notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our operating results.

Even if holders do not elect to convert their Notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a 
portion of the outstanding principal of the Notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material 
reduction of our net working capital.

Our failure to repurchase Notes or pay any cash upon conversion of the Notes would constitute a default under the 
indenture governing the Notes, and could cause defaults under our other or future indebtedness.

Our failure to repurchase Notes or pay any cash upon conversion of the Notes as required by the indenture governing the Notes 
would constitute a default under the indenture.  This kind of default under the indenture would also constitute a default under the 
Financing Agreement, and it could constitute a default under agreements governing our future indebtedness. If the repayment of 
the indebtedness under the Financing Agreement, or any other indebtedness, were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or 
grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the Notes or make cash payments upon 
conversions thereof.

The capped call transaction may affect the trading price of our common stock.

In connection with the offering of the Notes, we entered into the Capped Call. The primary purpose of the Capped Call was to 
reduce potential dilution to our common stock and/or offset any cash payments we may be required to make in excess of the 
principal amount, in each case, upon any conversion of Notes. In order to establish a hedge of the Capped Call, the Counterparty 
may have entered into various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock, and it may modify its hedge positions 
from time to time by entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock and/or 
purchasing or selling our common stock or other securities in secondary market transactions prior to the maturity of the Notes.  
The Counterparty is likely to undertake these activities during, and potentially prior to, any observation period related to a 
conversion of the Notes. These activities could cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of our common stock.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

25

ITEM 2. 

PROPERTIES

We lease approximately 173,000 square feet in two facilities in Burlington, Massachusetts for our principal corporate and 
administrative offices, as well as for significant R&D activities.  The leases for these facilities expire in May 2020.  We also lease 
106,000 square feet in Mountain View, California, primarily for R&D, product management and manufacturing activities. 

We lease approximately 26,000 square feet of office space in Iver Heath, United Kingdom for our European headquarters, which 
includes administrative, sales and support functions, and 41,000 square feet in Dublin, Ireland for the final assembly and 
distribution of our products in Europe.  We also lease approximately 8,000 square feet in Singapore for our Asian headquarters.  

We also lease office space for sales operations and research and development in several other domestic and international 
locations.

ITEM 3. 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Securities Class Action Lawsuits 

In March 2013 and May 2013, two purported securities class action lawsuits were filed against us and certain of our former 
executive officers seeking unspecified damages in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  In July 2013, the two 
cases were consolidated and the original plaintiffs agreed to act as co-plaintiffs in the consolidated case.  In September 2013, the 
co-plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint on behalf of those who purchased our common stock between October 23, 
2008 and March 20, 2013.  The consolidated amended complaint, which named us, certain of our current and former executive 
officers and our former independent accounting firm as defendants, purported to state a claim for violation of federal securities 
laws as a result of alleged violations of the federal securities laws pursuant to Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  In October 2013, we filed a motion to dismiss the 
consolidated amended complaint, resulting in the dismissal of some of the claims, and the dismissal of Mr. Hernandez and one of 
the two plaintiffs from the case.  On December 31, 2014, the parties reached an agreement to settle the case. The agreement called 
for Avid to cause payment of $2.5 million in respect of the settlement. The settlement was approved and the case was dismissed 
on May 12, 2015. 

SEC and Department of Justice Inquiry 

In April and May 2013, we received a document preservation request and inquiry from the SEC Division of Enforcement and a 
federal grand jury subpoena from the Department of Justice requesting certain documents, including in particular documents 
related to our disclosures regarding our accounting review and revenue transactions.  On August 13, 2015, we received a letter 
from the SEC Division of Enforcement stating that the investigation had been completed and that the Division of Enforcement did 
not intend to recommend any enforcement action against us by the SEC.  On October 20, 2015, we were notified by the 
Department of Justice that the Department of Justice intends to close its inquiry.

Other Litigation 

Our industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and litigation regarding patent and 
other intellectual property rights.  In addition to the legal proceedings described above, we are involved in legal proceedings from 
time to time arising from the normal course of business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property 
rights and contractual, commercial, employee relations, product or service performance, or other matters.  We do not believe these 
matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.  However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims 
brought against us is subject to significant uncertainty.  Therefore, our financial position or results of operations may be 
negatively affected by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these proceedings for the period in which a matter is resolved.  
See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”  Our results could be materially adversely affected if we are accused of, or found to be, 
infringing third parties’ intellectual property rights.

26

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

27

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 

AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Due to the restatement of our September 30, 2012 and prior financial statements, and the delay in filing our periodic reports with 
the SEC, we were unable to comply with the listing standards of NASDAQ and our common stock was suspended from trading 
effective February 25, 2014 and formally de-listed effective May 2, 2014.  Following the suspension of trading, our common 
stock traded on the OTC Pink Tier under the symbol AVID.  After we completed the restatement and became current in our SEC 
reporting obligations, our common stock resumed trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol AVID, 
effective December 8, 2014.  The table below shows the high and low sales prices of our common stock for each calendar quarter 
of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2015

2014

High
$15.74

$17.90

$13.68

$9.04

Low
$12.66

$13.34

$7.62

$6.09

High
$8.29

$7.64

$10.55

$14.48

Low
$4.93

$6.10

$7.45

$9.25

On March 10, 2016, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $6.92 per share.  
The approximate number of holders of record of our common stock at March 10, 2016 was 301.  This number does not include 
stockholders for whom shares were held in a “nominee” or “street” name.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the 
foreseeable future.  Our Financing Agreement prohibits us from declaring or paying any dividends in cash on our capital stock.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock during the period from December 31, 
2010 through December 31, 2015 with the cumulative return during the period for:

• 

• 

the NASDAQ Composite Index (all companies traded on NASDAQ Capital, Global or Global Select Markets),

the Avid Peer Group Index (see details following the graph).

This comparison assumes the investment of $100 on December 31, 2010 in our common stock, the NASDAQ Market Index and 
the Avid Peer Group Index, and assumes that dividends, if any, were reinvested.

28

 
 
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Avid Technology, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index, 
and the Avid Peer Group 

Because our products and services are diverse, we do not believe any single published industry index is appropriate for comparing 
stockholder return. As a result, we compare our common stock returns to a peer group index, which was composed of NASDAQ-
traded companies selected by Avid to best represent its peers based on various criteria, including industry classification, number 
of employees and market capitalization.  

The composition of the Avid Peer Group Index is dictated by the peer group selected by the compensation committee of Avid’s 
board of directors for its reference in setting executive compensation.   The compensation committee seeks generally to include 
companies with similar product and service offerings to those of Avid while also achieving a balance of smaller and larger sized 
peer companies in terms of market capitalizations and revenue.

The Avid Peer Group Index for 2015 was composed of:  Black Box Corporation, Cray Inc., Harmonic Inc., Imation Corp., 
Pegasystems Inc., Progress Software Corporation, QLogic Corporation, Quantum Corporation, RealD Inc., RealNetworks, Inc., 
Rovi Corporation, Silicon Graphics International Corp., Synaptics, Inc., and Verint Systems Inc.  

The Avid Peer Group Index is weighted based on market capitalization. 

29

ITEM 6.           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected condensed consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Financial 
Information,” included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  The selected condensed consolidated financial data as of December 31, 
2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been derived from our 
audited consolidated financial statements.  The selected condensed consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2011 has been 
derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which were prepared on the same basis as our audited financial 
statements and reflect adjustments to our previously filed consolidated financial statements. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
(in thousands, except per share data)

Net revenues (1)

Cost of revenues

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

Research and development

Marketing and selling

General and administrative

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

Total operating expenses

Operating income from continuing operations

Other expense, net

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

Discontinued operations: (2)

Gain on divestiture of consumer business

Income from divested operations

Income from discontinued operations

Net income

Income per share - basic:

Income per share from continuing operations, net of tax – basic

Income per share from discontinued operations – basic

Net income per common share – basic

Income per share - diluted:

Income per share from continuing operations, net of tax – diluted

Income per share from discontinued operations – diluted

Net income per common share – diluted

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

For the Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$

505,595

$

530,251

$

563,412

$

635,703

$

766,885

197,445

308,150

95,898

122,511

74,109

2,354

6,305

204,471

325,780

90,390

133,049

81,181

1,626

(165)

301,177

306,081

6,973

(6,408)

565

(1,915)

2,480

—

—

—

2,480

0.06

—

0.06

0.06

—

0.06

$

$

$

$

$

19,699

(2,783)

16,916

2,188

14,728

—

—

—

14,728

0.38

—

0.38

0.38

—

0.38

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

223,909

339,503

95,249

133,890

77,578

2,648

5,370

314,735

24,768

(676)

24,092

2,939

21,153

—

—

—

249,008

386,695

98,879

153,481

52,066

4,254

24,838

333,518

53,177

(2,041)

51,136

4,049

47,087

37,972

7,832

45,804

261,718

505,167

111,129

163,204

50,732

8,528

6,534

340,127

165,040

(1,945)

163,095

635

162,460

—

63,907

63,907

21,153

$

92,891

$

226,367

0.54

—

0.54

$

0.54

—

0.54

$

1.21

1.18

2.39

1.21

1.18

2.39

$

$

4.23

1.66

5.89

4.22

1.65

5.87

39,423

40,380

39,147

39,267

39,044

39,070

38,804

38,836

38,435

38,534

(1)  Our revenues and operating results have been affected by the deferral of revenues from customer transactions occurring prior to 2011.  On January 1, 

2011, we adopted ASU No. 2009-14.  Substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 were generally recognized on a ratable basis 
over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  Subsequent to January 1, 2011, product revenues are generally recognized upon 
delivery and Implied Maintenance PCS and other service and support elements are recognized as services are rendered.  See our policy on “Revenue 
Recognition” in Note B to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of the effects of the changes to 
our revenue recognition policies on our financial results.

(2)  On July 2, 2012, we exited our consumer business through a sale of the assets of that business.  The disposition of our consumer business qualified for 

presentation as discontinued operations.  

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
(in thousands)

As of December 31,

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

$

17,902

$

25,056

$

48,203

$

70,390

$

32,855

Working capital deficit (1)

Total assets

Deferred revenues (current and long-term amounts)

Long-term liabilities (1)

Total stockholders’ deficit

(167,450)

(157,492)

(133,517)

(96,380)

(228,277)

247,926

348,382

272,599

191,599

414,840

222,641

235,142

466,832

270,594

294,361

558,485

347,074

340,590

697,124

346,913

(329,572)

(341,070)

(359,335)

(385,592)

(490,874)

(1)  The presentation of prior year working capital deficit and long-term liability amounts have been changed to reflect our retrospective adoption of ASU 
2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The standard requires entities to present all deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as 
non-current in a classified balance sheet.

31

 
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 

OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Our Company

We provide an open, integrated, and comprehensive technology platform, along with applications and services that enable the 
creation, distribution, and monetization of audio and video content.  Specifically, we develop, market, sell, and support software 
and hardware for digital media content production, management and distribution.  Digital media are video, audio or graphic 
elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and stored as digital values, as opposed to analog or tape-based signals.  
Our products are used in production and post-production facilities; film studios; network, affiliate, independent and cable 
television stations; recording studios; live-sound performance venues; advertising agencies; government and educational 
institutions; corporate communication departments; and by independent video and audio creative professionals, as well as aspiring 
professionals.  Projects produced using our products include feature films, television programming, live events, news broadcasts, 
commercials, music, video and other digital media content.

Our mission is to create the most powerful and collaborative media network that enables the creation, distribution and 
monetization of the most inspiring content in the world.  Guided by our Avid Everywhere strategic vision, we strive to deliver the 
industry’s most open, innovative and comprehensive media platform connecting content creation with collaboration, asset 
protection, distribution and consumption for the media in the world – from the most prestigious and award-winning feature films, 
music recordings, and television shows, to live concerts and news broadcasts.  We have been honored over time for our 
technological innovation with 14 Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, two Oscars and the first ever America Cinema Editors 
Technical Excellence Award.  Our solutions were used in all 2015 Oscar nominated films for Best Picture, Best Editing, Best 
Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Our audio solutions were also used in all 2015 Grammy nominated recordings for Best 
Album of The Year, Best Record of the Year and Best Song of the Year.

Our strategy is built on three pillars, Avid Everywhere, The Avid Advantage and the Avid Customer Association (“ACA”).  Avid 
Everywhere is our strategic vision for connecting creative professionals and media organizations with their audiences in a more 
powerful, efficient, collaborative, and profitable way.  Central to the Avid Everywhere vision is the Avid MediaCentral Platform, 
an open, extensible, and customizable foundation that streamlines and simplifies workflows by tightly integrating all Avid or third 
party products and services that run on top of it.  The platform provides secure and protected access, which enables the creation 
and delivery of content faster and easier through a set of modular application suites that together represent an open, integrated, 
and flexible media production and distribution environment for the media industry.  The Avid Advantage complements Avid 
Everywhere by offering a new standard in service, support and education to enable our customers to derive more efficiency from 
their Avid investment. Finally, the ACA is an association of dedicated media community visionaries, thought leaders and users 
designed to provide essential strategic leadership to the media industry, facilitate collaboration between Avid and key industry 
leaders and visionaries, and deepen relationships between our customers and us.

Another key element of our strategy is our transition to a subscription or recurring revenue based model. In 2014 we began 
offering subscription based licensing options for some of our products and solutions.  These licensing options offer choice in 
pricing and deployment to suit our customers’ needs and are expected to increase recurring revenue on a longer term basis. 
However, during our transition to a recurring revenue model, we expect that our revenue, deferred revenue, and cash flow from 
operations will be adversely affected as an increasing portion of our total revenue is recognized ratably rather than up front, and as 
new product offerings are sold at a wider variety of price points.

As a complement to our core strategy, we continue to review and implement programs throughout the Company to reduce costs, 
increase operational efficiencies, align talent and enhance our business, including in connection with the restructuring plan 
announced in February 2016, as described in more detail in Item 1. Business - Recent Events as part of which we are realigning 
our employee base to better serve our customers’ needs.  We expect these initiatives will be completed in mid-2017.  

32

Financial Summary

Revenues

Net revenues were $505.6 million, $530.3 million and $563.4 million, respectively, for 2015, 2014 and 2013.  The decreases in 
revenues were primarily the result of lower amortization of deferred revenues (that is, lower recognition of revenue backlog) 
attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010. As described further in “Critical Accounting Polices and 
Estimates,” our adoption of ASU No. 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, an amendment to ASC Topic 605, or 
ASU No. 2009-13, and ASU No. 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements, an amendment to 
ASC Subtopic 985-605, resulted in many of our product orders qualifying for upfront revenue recognition; whereas, prior to 
adoption the same orders required ratable recognition over periods of up to eight years.  Revenue backlog associated with 
transactions executed prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 will continue to decline through 2016, 
before the balance is largely amortized, contributing less revenue each period.  As a result of this change in accounting standards, 
even with consistent or increasing aggregate order values, we will experience significant declines in revenues, deferred revenues 
and revenue backlog in the coming year as revenue backlog associated with transactions occurring prior to January 1, 2011 
decreases each year without being replaced by comparable revenue backlog from new transactions.  After consideration of this 
change in accounting standards, there have been no other significant changes in our revenues.

Gross Margin Percentage

Our gross margin percentage decreased to 60.9% in 2015, compared to 61.4% for 2014.  The decrease in gross margin was 
primarily due to the impact of the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010, which carry a 100% gross margin, partially offset by the revenue recognized as a result 
of our conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 has ended and improved product mix. 

Operating Expenses

Our total operating expenses for 2015 decreased to $301.2 million, from $306.1 million for 2014.   This decrease was primarily 
due to a decrease in restatement-related expense and marketing and selling expense in 2015, partially offset by an increase in our 
acquisition-related expense and R&D expense.

Liquidity

At December 31, 2015, our cash balance was $17.9 million, a decrease of $7.2 million from December 31, 2014.  On February 
26, 2016, we entered into a term loan with an aggregate principal amount of $100 million and up to a maximum of $5 million in 
revolving credit (collectively, the “Financing Agreement”). All outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will become due 
and payable in February 2021 or in May 2020 if the $125.0 million in outstanding principal from the 2.00% convertible senior 
notes due June 15, 2020 have not been repaid or refinanced. The Financing Agreement requires us to comply with a financial 
statement covenant that stipulates a maximum leverage ratio commencing in June 30, 2016.

Concurrent with entering into the Financing Agreement, we terminated our existing revolving credit agreement, and repaid all 
outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreement. There were no penalties paid by us in connection with the 
termination of the revolving credit agreement. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the 
United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial 
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  We regularly reevaluate our estimates 
and judgments, including those related to the following:  revenue recognition and allowances for sales returns and exchanges; 
stock-based compensation; income tax assets and liabilities; and restructuring charges and accruals.  We base our estimates and 
judgments on historical experience and various other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of 

33

which form the basis for judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amounts of revenues and expenses 
that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies most significantly affect the portrayal of our financial condition and involve 
our most difficult and subjective estimates and judgments.

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Sales Returns and Exchanges

General

We commence revenue recognition when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is 
fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Generally, the products we sell do not require significant production, 
modification or customization. Installation of our products is generally routine, consists of implementation and configuration and 
does not have to be performed by us.

At the time of a sales transaction, we make an assessment of the collectability of the amount due from the customer. Revenues are 
recognized only if it is reasonably assured that collection will occur. When making this assessment, we consider customer credit-
worthiness and historical payment experience. If it is determined from the outset of the arrangement that collection is not 
reasonably assured, revenues are recognized on a cash basis, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. At 
the outset of the arrangement, we also assess whether the fee associated with the order is fixed or determinable and free of 
contingencies or significant uncertainties. When assessing whether the fee is fixed or determinable, we consider the payment 
terms of the transaction, our collection experience in similar transactions without making concessions, and our involvement, if 
any, in third-party financing transactions, among other factors. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenues are recognized 
only as payments become due from the customer, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met. If a significant 
portion of the fee is due after our normal payment terms, we evaluate whether we have sufficient history of successfully collecting 
past transactions with similar terms without offering concessions. If that collection history is sufficient, revenue recognition 
commences, upon delivery of the products, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. If we were to make 
different judgments or assumptions about any of these matters, it could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of 
revenues reported in a particular period.

We often receive multiple purchase orders or contracts from a single customer or a group of related customers that are evaluated 
to determine if they are, in effect, part of a single arrangement. In situations when we have concluded that two or more orders 
with the same customer are so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single arrangement, we account for those orders as 
a single arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. In other circumstances, when we have concluded that two or more orders 
with the same customer are independent buying decisions, such as an earlier purchase of a product and a subsequent purchase of a 
software upgrade or maintenance contract, we account for those orders as separate arrangements for revenue recognition 
purposes.

For many of our products, there has been an ongoing practice of Avid making available at no charge to customers minor feature 
and compatibility enhancements as well as bug fixes on a when-and-if-available basis (collectively “Software Updates”), for a 
period of time after initial sales to end users. The implicit obligation to make such Software Updates available to customers over a 
period of time represents implied post-contract customer support, which is deemed to be a deliverable in each arrangement and is 
accounted for as a separate element (“Implied Maintenance Release PCS”).

Over the course of the last two years, in connection with a strategic initiative to increase support and other recurring revenue 
streams, we have taken a number of steps to eliminate the longstanding practice of providing Implied Maintenance Release PCS 
for the Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius product lines.  On Media Composer 8.0 in particular, which was released in May 
2014, management has (i) clearly communicated a policy of no longer providing any Software Updates or other support to 
customers that are not covered under a paid support plan and (ii) implemented robust digital rights management tools to enforce 
the policy.  With the new policy and technology for Media Composer 8.0 in place, combined with management’s intent to 
continue to adhere to the policy, management concluded in the third quarter of 2015 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for 
Media Composer 8.0 transactions no longer exists.  As a result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media 
Composer 8.0 has ended, revenue and net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 increased by approximately 
$13.0 million, reflecting the recognition of orders received after the launch of Media Composer 8.0 that would have qualified for 
earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting.  In addition, as the elimination of Implied Maintenance Release PCS 
also resulted in the accelerated recognition of maintenance and product revenues that were previously being recognized over the 

34

 
expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather than the contractual maintenance period, the change in the estimated 
amortization period of transactions being recognized on a ratable basis resulted in an additional $9.5 million of revenue during the 
twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  Management also concluded in the fourth quarter of 2015 that Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS on Sibelius 8.0 had ended, which did not have a significant impact on revenue recognition for the twelve months 
ended December 31, 2015.  Management will continue to evaluate the judgment of whether Implied Maintenance Release PCS 
exists on each product line and version.  If and when management concludes Implied Maintenance Release PCS no longer exists 
for other product lines or versions in future quarters, software revenue related to orders affected will be accelerated and 
prospective revenue recognition on new product orders will be recognized upfront, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria 
are met and vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value exists for all undelivered elements. We believe it is likely 
that the presumption of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools 12 will be overcome during the year ended December 
31, 2016.  

We enter into certain contractual arrangements that have multiple elements, one or more of which may be delivered subsequent to 
the delivery of other elements.  These multiple-deliverable arrangements may include products, support, training, professional 
services and Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  For these multiple-element arrangements, we allocate revenue to each 
deliverable of the arrangement based on the relative selling prices of the deliverables.  In such circumstances, we first determine 
the selling price of each deliverable based on (i) VSOE of fair value if that exists; (ii) third-party evidence of selling price, or 
TPE, when VSOE does not exist; or (iii) best estimate of the selling price, or BESP, when neither VSOE nor TPE exists.  Revenue 
is then allocated to the non-software deliverables as a group and to the software deliverables as a group using the relative selling 
prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the selling price hierarchy.  Our process for determining BESP for 
deliverables for which VSOE or TPE does not exist involves significant management judgment.  In determining BESP, we 
consider a number of data points, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the pricing established by management when setting prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone 
basis;

contractually stated prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone basis;

the pricing of standalone sales that may not qualify as VSOE of fair value due to limited volumes or variation in prices; 
and

other pricing factors, such as the geographical region in which the products are sold and expected discounts based on the 
customer size and type.  

In determining a BESP for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which we do not sell separately, we consider (i) the service period 
for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS, (ii) the differential in value of the Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable 
compared to a full support contract, (iii) the likely list price that would have resulted from our established pricing practices had 
the deliverable been offered separately, and (iv) the prices a customer would likely be willing to pay.

We estimate the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS based on the length of time the product version purchased by 
the customer is planned to be supported with Software Updates. If facts and circumstances indicate that the original service period 
of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for a product has changed significantly after original revenue recognition has commenced, 
we will modify the remaining estimated service period accordingly and recognize the then-remaining deferred revenue balance 
over the revised service period.

We have established VSOE of fair value for all professional services and training and for some of our support offerings. Our 
policy for establishing VSOE of fair value consists of evaluating standalone sales, where available, to determine if a substantial 
portion of the transactions fall within a reasonable range.  If a sufficient volume of standalone sales exist and the standalone 
pricing for a substantial portion of the transactions falls within a reasonable range, management concludes that VSOE of fair 
value exists.

The following table sets forth our determination of the estimated range of BESP of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, stated as a 
percentage of the BESP of the underlying product being sold, and the estimated range of service periods of Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS by product group for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.

35

Product Group

Professional video creative tools

Video storage and workflow solutions

Media management solutions

Digital audio software and workstations solutions

Control surfaces, consoles and live-sound systems

Notation software

BESP of Implied
Maintenance
Release PCS (as a
% of Product
BESP)

Estimated Service Period

1% to 13%

18 to 72 months

1% to 2%

1% to 3%

1% to 8%

1% to 5%

4% to 8%

72 months

12 to 72 months

12 to 36 months

12 to 96 months

12 to 46 months

In accordance with ASU No. 2009-14, we exclude from the scope of software revenue recognition requirements our sales of 
tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the essential 
functionality of the tangible products.  We adopted ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 prospectively on January 1, 2011 for 
new and materially modified arrangements originating after December 31, 2010.  

Prior to our adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, we primarily recognized revenues using the revenue recognition criteria of Accounting 
Standards Codification, or ASC, Subtopic 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition.  As a result of our adoption of ASU No. 
2009-14 on January 1, 2011, a majority of our products are now considered non-software elements under GAAP, which excludes 
them from the scope of ASC Subtopic 985-605 and includes them within the scope of ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.  
Because we had not been able to establish VSOE of fair value for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, as described further below, 
substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 were recognized on a ratable basis over the service period of 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  Subsequent to January 1, 2011 and the adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, we determine a 
relative selling price for all elements of the arrangement through the use of BESP, as VSOE and TPE are typically not available, 
resulting in revenue recognition upon delivery of arrangement consideration attributable to product revenue, provided all other 
criteria for revenue recognition are met, and revenue recognition of Implied Maintenance Release PCS and other service and 
support elements over time as services are rendered.

The timing of revenue recognition of customer arrangements follows a number of different accounting models determined by the 
characteristics of the arrangement, and that timing can vary significantly from the timing of related cash payments due from 
customers.  One significant factor affecting the timing of revenue recognition is the determination of whether each deliverable in 
the arrangement is considered to be a software deliverable or a non-software deliverable.  For transactions occurring after January 
1, 2011, our revenue recognition policies have generally resulted in the recognition of approximately 70% of billings as revenue 
in the year of billing, and prior to January 1, 2011, the previously applied revenue recognition policies resulted in the recognition 
of approximately 30% of billings as revenue in the year of billing.  We expect this trend to continue in future periods.

Revenue Recognition of Non-Software Deliverables

Revenue from products that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized upon delivery of the product to the customer.  
Products are considered delivered to the customer once they have been shipped and title and risk of loss has been transferred.  For 
most of our product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped.  Revenue from support that is considered a 
non-software deliverable is initially deferred and is recognized ratably over the contractual period of the arrangement, which is 
generally twelve months.  Professional services and training services are typically sold to customers on a time and materials basis. 
Revenue from professional services and training services that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized for these 
deliverables as services are provided to the customer.  Revenue for Implied Maintenance Release PCS that is considered a non-
software deliverable is recognized ratably over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which ranges from 1 to 8 
years.  

Revenue Recognition of Software Deliverables

We recognize the following types of elements sold using software revenue recognition guidance: (i) software products and 
software upgrades, when the software sold in a customer arrangement is more than incidental to the arrangement as a whole and 
the product does not contain hardware that functions with the software to provide essential functionality, (ii) initial support 
contracts where the underlying product being supported is considered to be a software deliverable, (iii) support contract renewals, 

36

and (iv) professional services and training that relate to deliverables considered to be software deliverables.  Because we do not 
have VSOE of the fair value of our software products, we are permitted to account for our typical customer arrangements that 
include multiple elements using the residual method.  Under the residual method, the VSOE of fair value of the undelivered 
elements (which could include support, professional services or training, or any combination thereof) is deferred and the 
remaining portion of the total arrangement fee is recognized as revenue for the delivered elements.  If evidence of the VSOE of 
fair value of one or more undelivered elements does not exist, revenues are deferred and recognized when delivery of those 
elements occurs or when VSOE of fair value can be established.  VSOE of fair value is typically based on the price charged when 
the element is sold separately to customers.  We are unable to use the residual method to recognize revenues for most 
arrangements that include products that are software deliverables under GAAP since VSOE of fair value does not exist for 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS elements, which are included in many of our arrangements.

For software products that include Implied Maintenance Release PCS, an element for which VSOE of fair value does not exist, 
revenue for the entire arrangement fee, which could include combinations of product, professional services, training and support, 
is recognized ratably as a group over the longest service period of any deliverable in the arrangement, with recognition 
commencing on the date delivery has occurred for all deliverables in the arrangement (or begins to occur in the case of 
professional services, training and support).  Standalone sales of support contracts are recognized ratably over the service period 
of the product being supported.  

From time to time, we offer certain customers free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements. When a software 
deliverable arrangement contains an Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable, revenue recognition of the entire arrangement 
will only commence when any free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements have been delivered, assuming all 
other products in the arrangement have been delivered and all services, if any, have commenced.

Other Revenue Recognition Policies

In a limited number of arrangements, the professional services and training to be delivered are considered essential to the 
functionality of our software products.  If services sold in an arrangement are deemed to be essential to the functionality of the 
software products, the arrangement is accounted for using contract accounting.  As we have concluded that we cannot reliably 
estimate our contract costs, we use the completed contract method of contract accounting.  The completed contract method of 
accounting defers all revenue and costs until the date that the products have been delivered and professional services, exclusive of 
post-contract customer support, have been completed.  Deferred costs related to fully deferred contracts are recorded as a 
component of inventories in the consolidated balance sheet, and generally all other costs of sales are recognized when revenue 
recognition commences.  

We record a provision for estimated returns and other allowances as a reduction of revenues in the same period that related 
revenues are recorded.  Use of management estimates is required in connection with establishing and maintaining a sales 
allowance for expected returns and other credits, including rebates and returns.  In making these estimates, we analyze historical 
returns and credits and other relevant factors.  While we believe we can make reliable estimates regarding these matters, these 
estimates are inherently subjective.  The amount and timing of our revenues for any period may be affected if actual product 
returns prove to be materially different from our estimates.

We record as revenues all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs and record the actual shipping costs as a 
component of cost of revenues.  Reimbursements received from customers for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as revenues, 
with related costs recorded as cost of revenues.  We present revenues net of any taxes collected from customers and remitted to 
government authorities.

In the consolidated statements of operations, we classify revenues as product revenues or services revenues.  For multiple element 
arrangements that include both product and service elements, including Implied Maintenance Release PCS, we evaluate available 
indicators of fair value and apply our judgment to reasonably classify the arrangement fee between product revenues and services 
revenues. The amount of multiple element arrangement fees classified as product and services revenues based on management 
estimates of fair value when VSOE of fair value for all elements of an arrangement does not exist could differ from amounts 
classified as product and service revenues if VSOE of fair value for all elements existed.

37

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation at fair value.  The vesting of stock options and restricted stock awards may be based on 
time, performance, market conditions, or a combination of performance and market conditions.  In the future, we may grant stock 
awards, options, or other equity-based instruments allowed by our stock-based compensation plans, or a combination thereof, as 
part of our overall compensation strategy.

We generally use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants with time-based vesting.  
The Black-Scholes option pricing model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values.  Our assumed 
dividend yield of zero is based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends, we have no present intention to pay cash 
dividends and our current credit agreement precludes us from paying dividends.  Our expected stock-price volatility assumption is 
based on recent (six-month trailing) implied volatility of the traded options.  These calculations are performed on exchange-traded 
options of our common stock based on the implied volatility of long-term (9- to 39-month term) exchange-traded options.  During 
2014 we changed the method of calculating the expected volatility. The expected volatility is now based on actual historic stock 
volatility for periods equivalent to the expected term of the award.  The assumed risk-free interest rate is the U.S. Treasury 
security rate with a term equal to the expected life of the option.  The assumed expected life is based on company-specific 
historical experience, considering the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of aggregate exercises.  The fair 
values of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards with time-based vesting are based on the intrinsic values of the awards 
at the date of grant as these awards have a purchase price of $0.01 per share. 

We have also issued stock option grants or restricted stock unit awards with vesting based on market conditions, which 
historically included Avid’s stock price or performance conditions, generally our adjusted EBITDA. The fair values and derived 
service periods for all grants that include vesting based on market conditions are estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation 
method.  For stock option grants that include vesting based on performance conditions, the fair values are estimated using the 
Black-Scholes option pricing model.  For restricted stock unit awards that include vesting based on performance conditions, the 
fair values are estimated based on the intrinsic values of the awards at the date of grant as these awards have a purchase price of 
$0.01 per share. 

Income Tax Assets and Liabilities

We record deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss carryforwards and temporary 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes compared to the amounts used 
for income tax purposes.  We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability with consideration for such factors as 
historical losses, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.  A 
valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be 
realized.  Based on the magnitude of our gross deferred tax assets, which totaled approximately $425 million at December 31, 
2015, and our level of historical U.S. losses, we have determined that the uncertainty regarding the realization of these assets is 
sufficient to warrant the need for a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets.  We also determined that a 
valuation allowance is warranted on a portion of our foreign deferred tax assets.

Our assessment of the valuation allowance on our U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets could change in the future based on our 
levels of pre-tax income and other tax-related adjustments.  Reversal of the valuation allowance in whole or in part would result 
in a non-cash reduction in income tax expense during the period of reversal.  To the extent some or all of our valuation allowance 
is reversed, future financial statements would reflect an increase in non-cash income tax expense until such time as our deferred 
tax assets are fully utilized.

The amount of income taxes we pay is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file.  We 
have taken and will continue to take tax positions based on our interpretation of such tax laws.  There can be no assurance that a 
taxing authority will not have a different interpretation of applicable law and assess us with additional taxes. Should we be 
assessed with additional taxes, it could have a negative impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

We account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in our financial statements by applying a two-step process to determine 
the amount of tax benefit to be recognized.  First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be 
sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  If the tax position is deemed 
more likely than not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the 

38

financial statements.  The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% 
likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  Our provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax
reserves, referred to as unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties.  
At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the amounts recorded for unrecognized tax benefits in our consolidated balance sheets totaled 
$26.0 million and $25.8 million, respectively, including interest and penalties.  If these benefits had been recognized, a reduction 
of our income tax provision of  $3.2 million and $0.8 million would have resulted at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Restructuring Charges and Accruals

We recognize facility-related restructuring charges upon exiting all or a portion of a leased facility and meeting cease-use and 
other requirements. The amount of restructuring charges is based on the fair value of the lease obligation for the abandoned space, 
which includes a sublease assumption that could be reasonably obtained.

Based on our policies for the calculation and payment of severance benefits, we account for employee-related restructuring 
charges as an ongoing benefit arrangement in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment 
Benefits.  Severance-related charges are accrued when it is determined that a liability has been incurred, which is when the 
expected severance payments are probable and can be reasonably estimated.

Restructuring charges require significant estimates and assumptions, including sub-lease income and severance period 
assumptions.  Our estimates involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, including future 
real estate market conditions and our ability to successfully enter into subleases or termination agreements with terms as favorable 
as those assumed when arriving at our estimates. We monitor these estimates and assumptions on at least a quarterly basis for 
changes in circumstances and any corresponding adjustments to the accrual are recorded in our statement of operations in the 
period when such changes are known.

39

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth certain items from our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net revenues for the 
periods indicated:

Net revenues:

Product revenues

Services revenues

Total net revenues

Cost of revenues

Gross margin

Operating expenses:

Research and development

Marketing and selling

General and administrative

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs, net

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Interest and other income (expense), net

Income before income taxes

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

Net income

Net Revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

66.5 %

33.5 %

71.4 %

28.6 %

70.2 %

29.8 %

100.0 %

100.0 %

100.0 %

39.1 %

60.9 %

19.0 %

24.2 %

14.7 %

0.5 %

1.2 %

59.6 %

1.3 %

(1.2)%

0.1 %

(0.4)%

0.5 %

38.6 %

61.4 %

17.0 %

25.1 %

15.3 %

0.3 %

— %

57.7 %

3.7 %

(0.5)%

3.2 %

0.4 %

2.8 %

39.7 %

60.3 %

16.9 %

23.8 %

13.8 %

0.5 %

1.0 %

55.9 %

4.4 %

(0.1)%

4.3 %

0.5 %

3.8 %

Our net revenues are derived mainly from sales of video and audio hardware and software products and solutions for digital 
media content creation, distribution and monetization, and related professional services and maintenance contracts.  We 
commonly sell large, complex solutions to our customers that, due to their strategic nature, have long lead times where the timing 
of order execution and fulfillment can be difficult to predict. As a result, the timing and amount of product revenue recognized 
each quarter related to these large orders, as well as the services associated with them, can fluctuate significantly from quarter to 
quarter and cause quarterly and annual operating results to vary.

Net Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

2015

Change

2014

Net Revenues

$

201,559

$

134,812

336,371

169,224

$

505,595

$

$
(31,905)
(10,351)
(42,256)
17,600
(24,656)

%

Net Revenues

(13.7)%

(7.1)%

(11.2)%

11.6%

(4.6)%

$

$

233,464

145,163

378,627

151,624

530,251

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(dollars in thousands)

2014

Change

Net Revenues

$

$

233,464

$

145,163

378,627

151,624

$

530,251

$

(9,709)
(7,195)
(16,904)
(16,257)
(33,161)

%

(4.0)%

(4.7)%

(4.3)%

(9.7)%

(5.9)%

2013

Net Revenues

$

$

243,173

152,358

395,531

167,881

563,412

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

The following table sets forth the percentage of our net revenues attributable to geographic regions for the periods indicated:

United States
Other Americas
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia-Pacific

Video Products and Solutions Revenues

2015 Compared to 2014

Year Ended December 31,
2014
36%
9%
41%
14%

2013
39%
7%
38%
16%

2015
37%
7%
41%
15%

Video products and solutions revenues decreased $31.9 million, or 13.7%, for 2015, compared to 2014. The decrease in video 
revenues was primarily due to lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before 
December 31, 2010. As a result of our adoption of ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 on January 1, 2011, many of our 
product orders now qualify for upfront revenue recognition; however, prior to adoption of this accounting guidance the same 
orders required ratable recognition over periods of up to eight years. Deferred revenue associated with transactions executed prior 
to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 will continue to decline through 2016, before the balance is largely 
amortized, contributing less revenue each period.  Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 were also higher 
due to increased demand attributable to the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2014 FIFA World Cup events.  Declines in video products 
and solutions revenue in 2015 were partially offset by the impact of additional revenue attributed to the sale of Orad products 
after completion of the acquisition on June 23, 2015.

2014 Compared to 2013

Video products and solutions revenues decreased $9.7 million, or 4.0%, for 2014, compared to 2013. The decrease in video 
revenues was primarily impacted by the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010. 

Audio Products and Solutions Revenues

2015 Compared to 2014

Audio products and solutions revenues decreased $10.4 million, or 7.1%, for 2015, compared to 2014. The decrease in audio 
revenues was primarily the result of the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010. Also contributing to the decrease in audio revenues for the year ended December 31, 
2015 were delays in the development of certain features related to Pro Tools 12 software, which reduced revenue recognition and, 
along with price points that were inconsistent with market dynamics, negatively impacted new product bookings.

41

 
2014 Compared to 2013

Audio products and solutions revenues decreased $7.2 million, or 4.7%, for 2014, compared to 2013. The decrease in audio 
revenues was primarily the result of the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010. 

Services Revenues

2015 Compared to 2014

Services revenues are derived primarily from maintenance contracts, as well as professional services and training.  The $17.6 
million, or 11.6%, increase in services revenues for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result of the determination that 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 no longer exists, resulting in accelerated recognition of maintenance 
revenues that were previously being recognized over the expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather than the 
contractual maintenance period. The increased revenues in 2015 reflected the recognition of orders received after the release of 
Media Composer 8.0 that would have qualified for earlier recognition under GAAP.

2014 Compared to 2013

The $16.3 million, or 9.7%, decrease in services revenues for 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily the result of the previously 
discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010. 

Revenue Backlog

At December 31, 2015, we had revenue backlog of approximately $552 million, compared to $540 million at December 31, 2014.  
Revenue backlog, as we define it, consists of firm orders received and includes both (i) orders where the customer has paid in 
advance of our performance obligations being fulfilled, which are reflected as deferred revenues in our balance sheet and (ii) 
orders for future product deliveries or services that have not yet been invoiced by us.  Revenue backlog associated with 
arrangement consideration paid in advance primarily consists of deferred revenue related to (i) the undelivered portion of annual 
support contracts, (ii) software arrangements for which VSOE of fair value of undelivered elements does not exist, (iii) Implied 
Maintenance Release PCS performance obligations, and (iv) in-process installations that are subject to substantive customer 
acceptance provisions.  Revenue backlog associated with orders for future product deliveries and services where cash has not 
been received primarily consists of (i) product orders received but not yet shipped, (ii) professional services not yet rendered and 
(iii) future years of multi-year support agreements not yet billed.

A meaningful, albeit rapidly declining portion of our revenue backlog is attributable to deferred revenue related to transactions 
that occurred prior to our January 1, 2011 adoption of the accounting guidance related to multiple-element arrangements (ASU 
No. 2009-13) and the accounting guidance related to differentiating software and hardware in a combined product offering (ASU 
No. 2009-14).  Prior to our adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the majority of our products were subject to software revenue 
recognition guidance that required us to recognize revenue ratably for periods as long as eight years from product delivery 
because we did not have VSOE of fair value for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable included in most of our 
customer arrangements.  Upon adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, most of our products are now excluded from the scope of software 
revenue recognition, resulting in recognition of arrangement consideration upon product shipments (based on management’s best 
estimate of selling price) with only the arrangement consideration attributable to Implied Maintenance Release PCS being 
recognized ratably over an extended period of time.  As a result of the change in accounting standards, even with consistent or 
increasing aggregate order values, we will experience significant declines in revenues, deferred revenues and revenue backlog in 
the coming year as revenue backlog associated with transactions occurring prior to January 1, 2011 decreases each quarter without 
being replaced by comparable revenue backlog from new transactions.

42

The expected timing of recognition of revenue backlog as revenue in the future is as follows as of December 31, 2015 (in 
thousands):

For the Year Ending December 31,

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

Orders executed prior to January 1, 2011

$

24,772

$

952

$

144

$

— $

— $

— $

25,868

Orders executed or materially modified on

or after January 1, 2011

244,112

117,458

68,011

35,292

21,407

39,938

526,218

$ 268,884

$ 118,410

$

68,155

$

35,292

$

21,407

$

39,938

$

552,086

Orders included in revenue backlog may be reduced, canceled or deferred by our customers.  The expected timing of the 
recognition of revenue backlog as revenue is based on our current estimates and could change based on a number of factors, 
including (i) the timing of delivery of products and services, (ii) customer cancellations or change orders, or (iii) changes in the 
estimated period of time Implied Maintenance Release PCS is provided to customers.  As there is no industry standard definition 
of revenue backlog, our reported revenue backlog may not be comparable with other companies.  Revenue backlog as of any 
particular date should not be relied upon as indicative of our net revenues for any future period.

Cost of Revenues, Gross Profit and Gross Margin Percentage

Cost of revenues consists primarily of costs associated with:

• 
• 
•  warehousing;
• 
• 
• 
• 

procurement of components and finished goods;
assembly, testing and distribution of finished products;

customer support related to maintenance;
royalties for third-party software and hardware included in our products;
amortization of technology; and
providing professional services and training.

Amortization of technology included in cost of revenues represents the amortization of developed technology assets acquired as 
part of acquisitions and is described further in the Amortization of Intangible Assets section below.

Costs of Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Products
Services

Amortization of intangible assets

    Total cost of revenues

2015
Costs

$

$

131,881
61,501

4,063

197,445

Change

$
(11,884)
845

4,013
(7,026)

%
(8.3)%
1.4%

8,026.0%

(3.4)%

$

2014
Costs

143,765
60,656

50

204,471

Gross profit

$

308,150

$

(17,630)

(5.4)%

$

325,780

43

 
 
 
Costs of Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(dollars in thousands)

Products

Services

Amortization of intangible assets

    Total costs of revenues

2014
Costs

$

143,765

$

60,656

50

204,471

Change

$
(15,499)
(2,521)
(1,418)
(19,438)

%

(9.7)%

(4.0)%

(96.6)%

(8.7)%

2013
Costs

$

159,264

63,177

1,468

223,909

Gross profit

$

325,780

$

(13,723)

(4.0)%

$

339,503

Gross Margin Percentage

Gross margin percentage, which is net revenues less costs of revenues divided by net revenues, fluctuates based on factors such as 
the mix of products sold, the cost and proportion of third-party hardware and software included in the systems sold, the offering 
of product upgrades, price discounts and other sales-promotion programs, the distribution channels through which products are 
sold, the timing of new product introductions, sales of aftermarket hardware products such as disk drives and currency exchange-
rate fluctuations. Our total gross margin percentage for 2015 decreased slightly to 60.9%, from 61.4% for 2014. The decrease in 
gross margin was primarily due to the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010, partially offset by the revenue recognized from the ended Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 and improved product mix.  As previously discussed, the revenues recognized from the 
amortization of deferred revenues (that is, the recognition of revenue backlog) attributable to transactions executed on or before 
December 31, 2010 will continue to decline until the related deferred revenue balance are largely amortized by 2016. These 
revenues have 100% margins, because the timing of the recognition of the deferred costs did not change as a result of our 
restatement, and our gross margin percentages will be negatively impacted as these revenues decline. 

Gross Margin % for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Decrease) 
Increase in
Gross Margin %
(1.2)%

2015 Gross
Margin %

2014 Gross
Margin %

Increase 
(Decrease) in
Gross Margin %
2.3%

60.8%

62.0%

63.7%

60.9%

3.7%

(0.5)%

60.0%

61.4%

(2.4)%

1.1%

2013 Gross
Margin %

59.7%

62.4%

60.3%

Products

Services

Total Gross Margin

2015 Compared to 2014

The decrease in products gross margin percentage for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily due to the previously discussed 
lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010. 

The increase in services gross margin percentage for 2015, compared to 2014, was attributable to the revenue recognized as a 
result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 has ended and improved product mix.  

2014 Compared to 2013

The increase in products gross margin percentage for 2014, compared to 2013, was driven by the cost reduction initiatives, 
partially offset by the impact of the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010. 

The decrease in services gross margin percentage for 2014, compared to 2013, was due to lower services revenues on relatively 
fixed costs. As previously discussed, the revenues recognized from the amortization of deferred revenues (that is, the recognition 
of revenue backlog) attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010 will continue to decline until the related 
deferred revenue balance are largely amortized by 2016. These revenues have 100% margins, because the timing of the 

44

 
 
recognition of the deferred costs did not change as a result of our restatement, and our gross margin percentages will be negatively 
impacted as these revenues decline.

Operating Expenses and Operating Income

Operating Expenses and Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Research and development expenses

Marketing and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring (recoveries) costs, net

Total operating expenses

Operating income

2015
Expenses

$

95,898

$

122,511

74,109

2,354

6,305

301,177

6,973

$

$

$

$

Change

$

5,508
(10,538)
(7,072)
728

6,470
(4,904)

%
6.1%

(7.9)%

(8.7)%

44.8%

(3,921.2)%

(1.6)%

(12,726)

(64.6)%

Operating Expenses and Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(dollars in thousands)

2014
Expenses

Change

$

Research and development expenses

Marketing and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs, net

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Research and Development Expenses

$

90,390

$

133,049

81,181

1,626
(165)
306,081

19,699

$

$

$

$

(4,859)
(841)
3,603
(1,022)
(5,535)
(8,654)

%
(5.1)%

(0.6)%

4.6%

(38.6)%

(103.1)%

(2.7)%

(5,069)

(20.5)%

2014
Expenses

90,390

133,049

81,181

1,626

(165)

306,081

19,699

2013
Expenses

95,249

133,890

77,578

2,648

5,370

314,735

24,768

$

$

$

$

$

$

Research and development, or R&D, expenses include costs associated with the development of new products and the 
enhancement of existing products, and consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits; facilities costs; depreciation; costs for 
consulting and temporary employees; and prototype and other development expenses.  R&D expenses increased $5.5 million, or 
6.1%, during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 2014.  The table below provides further details regarding the 
changes in components of R&D expense.

45

 
 
Year-Over-Year Change in Research and Development Expenses for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Consulting and outside services

Facilities and information technology

Computer hardware and supplies

Personnel-related

Other expenses

Total research and development expenses (decrease)/increase

2015 Compared to 2014

2015 Increase/(Decrease)
From 2014

2014 Increase/(Decrease)
From 2013

$
3,209

1,214

718

598
(231)
5,508

$

$

%
21.2%

7.8%

14.9%

1.1%

(9.7)%

6.1%

$

973
(2,050)
1,467
(5,150)
(99)
(4,859)

%
6.9%

(11.6)%

43.8%

(8.9)%

(4.0)%

(5.1)%

$

$

The increases in consulting and outside services and computer hardware and supplies expenses for 2015, compared to 2014, were 
primarily the result of the timing of certain development projects in 2015, compared to 2014, as we develop new products and 
solutions consistent with our Avid Everywhere strategic vision. The increase in personnel-related expenses for 2015, compared to 
2014, was due to Orad R&D personnel-related expenses, partially offset by decreased incentive-based compensation accrual and 
stock-based compensation costs. The increase in facilities and information technology expenses for 2015, compared 2014, was a 
result of R&D headcount increase and higher usage. 

2014 Compared to 2013

The decreases in personnel-related expenses and facilities and information technology infrastructure costs for 2014, compared to 
2013, reflect lower employee headcount which resulted in lower usage of facilities and information technology overhead. The 
increases in computer hardware and supplies expenses and consulting and outside services expenses were primarily the result of 
the timing of certain development projects in 2014, compared to 2013, as we develop new products and solutions consistent with 
our Avid Everywhere strategic vision.

Marketing and Selling Expenses

Marketing and selling expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits for selling, marketing and pre-sales customer 
support personnel; commissions; travel expenses; advertising and promotional expenses; web design costs and facilities costs.  
Marketing and selling expenses decreased $10.5 million, or 7.9%, during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 2014. 
The table below provides further details regarding the changes in components of marketing and selling expense.

Year-Over-Year Change in Marketing and Selling Expenses for Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Facilities and information technology infrastructure

Personnel-related

Foreign exchange losses (gains)

Consulting and outside services

Product introduction

Web advertising
Other expenses

Total marketing and selling expenses decrease

2015 Decrease
From 2014

$
(4,607)
(3,461)
(2,137)
(1,278)
—

755
190
(10,538)

%
(14.4)%

(4.5)%

(235.3)%

(6.5)%

—%

4,541.4%
4.4%
(7.9)%

$

$

$

$

2014 Decrease
From 2013

$

(342)
1,536

%
(1.1)%

2.1%

721

385.4%

1,478
(3,666)
—
(568)
(841)

8.2%

100.2%

—%
(11.0)%
(0.6)%

46

 
 
 
 
2015 Compared to 2014

The decrease in facilities and information technology infrastructure expenses for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result 
of less usage of facilities and information technology in 2015. The decrease in personnel-related expenses for 2015, compared to 
2014, was primarily due to decreased incentive-based compensation accrual, commission expenses and stock-based compensation 
costs. The decrease in consulting and outside services expenses was primarily due to our cost reduction initiatives. The web 
advertising expenses were related to our large advertising campaigns in 2015, which was not present at the same level during 
2014. The net foreign exchange gains (specifically, resulting from foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency 
denominated transactions, and the revaluation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities), which are included in 
marketing and selling expenses, were $1.3 million for 2015, compared to losses of $(0.9) million in 2014. We classify these gains 
and losses within marketing and selling expenses because the gains and losses generally arise from revenue arrangements that are 
denominated in foreign currencies to facilitate sales in certain foreign jurisdictions.

2014 Compared to 2013

The decrease in product introduction expenses in 2014 was the result of significant new product introductions during 2013, which 
was not present at the same level in 2014. The increase in consulting and outside services expenses for 2014, compared to 2013, 
was primarily the result of costs related to our Avid Customer Association, or ACA, which was launched in September 2013, and 
the inaugural ACA events, Avid Connect and Avid Connect Europe, which took place in April 2014 and September 2014, 
respectively. The increase in personnel-related expenses for 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily due to increased incentive-
based compensation accrual, commission expenses and stock-based compensation costs. The net foreign exchange losses were 
$0.9 million for 2014, compared to losses of $0.2 million in the 2013 period. 

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits for administrative, executive, finance and 
legal personnel; audit, legal and strategic consulting fees; and insurance, information systems and facilities costs. Information 
systems and facilities costs reported within general and administrative expenses are net of allocations to other expenses 
categories.  General and administrative expenses decreased $7.1 million, or 8.7%, during the year ended December 31, 2015, 
compared to 2014. The table below provides further details regarding the changes in components of general and administrative 
expense.

Year-Over-Year Change in General and Administrative Expenses for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Consulting and outside services
Merger and acquisition

Personnel-related

Facilities and information technology

Other expenses

Total general and administrative expenses (decrease)/increase

2015 Compared to 2014

2015 (Decrease)/Increase
From 2014

2014 Increase
From 2013

$
(17,426)
11,162
(1,733)
480

445
(7,072)

$

$

%
(47.4)%
100.0%

(5.5)%

4.9%

12.5%

(8.7)%

$

$

256
—

2,325

848

174

$

3,603

%
0.7%
—%

8.0%

9.4%

5.2%

4.6%

The decrease in consulting and outside services expenses for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result of a decrease in 
restatement-related costs and litigation expenses. The merger and acquisition expenses in 2015 were primarily the professional 
and consulting services expenses related to the acquisition and integration of Orad. The decrease in personnel-related expenses for 
2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result of decreased incentive-based compensation accrual.

47

 
 
 
2014 Compared to 2013

The increase in personnel-related expenses for 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily due to an increase in incentive-based 
compensation accrual and stock based compensation expenses, partially offset by a decrease in salaries expenses and management 
transition related costs.  The increase in facilities and information technology infrastructure costs was primarily the result of 
increased usage of facilities costs by the general and administrative function.  

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets result from acquisitions and include developed technology, customer-related intangibles, trade names and other 
identifiable intangible assets with finite lives.  These intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the 
estimated useful lives of such assets, which are generally two years to twelve years.  Amortization of developed technology is 
recorded within cost of revenues.  Amortization of customer-related intangibles, trade names and other identifiable intangible 
assets is recorded within operating expenses.

Year-Over-Year Change in Amortization of Intangible Assets for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

2015 Increase
From 2014

$

%

Amortization of intangible assets recorded in cost of revenues

Amortization of intangible assets recorded in operating expenses

Total amortization of intangible assets

$

$

4,013

8,026.0% $

728

4,741

44.8%

282.9%

$

2015 Compared to 2014

2014 Decrease
From 2013

$

(1,418)
(1,022)
(2,440)

%

(96.6)%

(38.6)%

(59.3)%

The increase in amortization of intangible assets for 2015, compared to 2014, was the result of the intangible assets that we 
acquired through our acquisition of Orad in June 2015. We had $32.3 million of unamortized balance of our identifiable intangible 
assets related to the Orad acquisition, and $0.9 million of unamortized balance related to all other acquisitions at December 31, 
2015.  We expect amortization of these intangible assets to be approximately $10.3 million in 2016 and $9.3 million in 2017.  See 
Note J, Intangible Assets, to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further information regarding our identifiable 
intangible assets.

2014 Compared to 2013

The decrease in amortization of intangible assets recorded in cost of revenues and operating expenses during 2014, compared to 
2013, was primarily the result of certain acquired intangible assets becoming fully amortized. 

Restructuring Costs, Net

2016 Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2016, we commenced restructuring actions that are part of a broad restructuring plan encompassing a series 
of measures intended to allow us to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These include reductions 
in our workforce, facilities consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, and reducing other third-
party services costs. In connection with this restructuring plan, we expect to incur incremental cash expenditures of approximately 
$25 million relating to termination benefits, facility costs, employee overlap expenses and related actions.  We anticipate that the 
restructuring plan will be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017 and will result in annualized costs 
savings of approximately $68 million. 

The restructuring charges of $5.8 million recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, represented an initial elimination 
of 111 positions worldwide during January and February of 2016.

48

 
 
2013 Restructuring Actions

In June 2013, our leadership evaluated the marketing and selling teams and, in an effort to better align sales resources with our 
strategic goals and enhance our global account team approach, eliminated 31 positions.  As a result, we recognized related 
restructuring costs of $1.7 million in 2013.

During November and December 2013, our executive management team identified opportunities to lower costs in the supply and 
hardware technology group by eliminating 29 positions in hardware shared services and 15 positions in the supply and technology 
group.  Additionally, an engineering reorganization at the same time resulted in the elimination of four engineering positions.  As 
a result, we recognized $1.7 million of related restructuring costs in 2013.

All of the restructuring costs related to 2013 restructuring actions were fully paid as of  December 31, 2015, no further actions are 
anticipated.

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net

Interest and other income (expense), net, generally consists of interest income and interest expense.

Interest and Other Income (Expense) for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Interest income

Interest expense

Other income (expense), net

Total interest and other income (expense), net

2015
Income
(Expense)

$

$

$

113
(6,346)
(175)
(6,408) $

Change

$

(13)
(4,575)
963
(3,625)

%

(10.3)%

258.3%

(84.6)%

130.3%

Interest and Other Income (Expense) for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(dollars in thousands)

Interest income

Interest expense

Other income (expense), net

Total interest and other income (expense), net

2015 Compared to 2014

2014
Income
(Expense)

$

$

$

126
(1,771)
(1,138)
(2,783) $

Change

$

(429)
(197)
(1,481)
(2,107)

%

(77.3)%

12.5%

(431.8)%
311.7%

2014
Income
(Expense)

126

(1,771)

(1,138)

(2,783)

2013
Income
(Expense)

555

(1,574)

343
(676)

$

$

$

$

The increase in interest expense for 2015, compared to 2014, was due to the interest on our outstanding 2.00% convertible senior 
notes and related debt discount accretion. See Note R, Long Term Debt and Credit Agreement, to our Consolidated Financial 
Statements in Item 8 for further information. The decrease in other expense for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result 
of changes in the valuation of a deferred compensation plan. With the increase in our debt, we expect interest expense to increase 
in 2016.

2014 Compared to 2013

The change in interest and other income (expense), net for 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily the result of changes in the 
valuation of a deferred compensation plan.  During 2014, there was an increase in the valuation of the plan obligations resulting in 

49

 
 
net expense recorded in other income (expense), compared to a decrease in the valuation in 2013 that resulted in net income 
recorded as other income (expense).

(Benefit from) Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for Income Taxes for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Provision for income taxes

2015
Benefit

Change

$

$

(1,915) $

(4,103)

%
(187.5)%

2014
Provision

$

2,188

Provision for Income Taxes for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(dollars in thousands)

Provision for income taxes

2014
Provision

Change

$

$

2,188

$

(751)

%
(25.6)%

2013
Provision

$

2,939

Our effective tax rate, which represents our tax provision as a percentage of income before tax, was (338.9)%, 12.9% and 12.2%, 
respectively, for 2015, 2014 and 2013.  Our 2015 provision for income taxes decreased by $4.1 million from 2014, primarily due 
to a benefit of $6.5 million that was recorded as a discrete item resulting from the creation of a deferred tax liability associated 
with the portion of the convertible note offering that was classified within stockholders’ equity.  While GAAP requires the offset 
of the deferred tax liability to be recorded in additional paid in capital, consistent with the equity portion of the convertible senior 
notes, the creation of the deferred tax liability produced evidence of recoverability of deferred tax assets, which resulted in the 
release of a valuation allowance, totaling $6.5 million reflected as an income tax benefit.  The $6.5 million benefit was primarily 
offset by increased foreign profits, where we currently pay income taxes.  

Our 2014 provision for income taxes decreased by $0.8 million from 2013, primarily as a result of a $0.3 million benefit for the 
reversal of a previously accrued Canada withholding tax penalty and a $0.5 million benefit associated with a change in the 
Company’s indefinite reinvestment assertion with respect to its Canadian subsidiary.  During 2013 there were no significant 
discrete tax items that impacted the tax provision.

We have significant net deferred tax assets that are primarily a result of tax credits and operating loss carryforwards.  The 
realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income in the applicable tax 
jurisdictions.  We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability with consideration for such factors as historical 
losses, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences, and tax planning 
strategies.  ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, requires us to record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some 
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Based on the magnitude of our deferred tax assets at December 31, 
2015 and our level of historical U.S. losses, we have determined that the uncertainty regarding the realization of these assets is 
sufficient to warrant the need for a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets.  We have also determined that a 
valuation allowance is warranted on a portion of our foreign deferred tax assets.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity and Sources of Cash

We have generally funded our operations in recent years through the use of existing cash balances, which we have supplemented 
from time to time with the proceeds of long-term debt, including from the issuance of the convertible senior notes due 2020, and 
borrowings under our credit facilities.  

At December 31, 2015, our principal sources of liquidity included cash and cash equivalents totaling $17.9 million and available 
borrowings of $27.0 million under our credit agreement with KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, and the 
other lender parties (the “KeyBank Credit Agreement”), with total liquidity aggregating approximately $44.9 million.  At 

50

December 31, 2015, our working capital was $(167.5) million, compared to $(157.5) million at December 31, 2014.  Our working 
capital deficit at both dates was largely due to the significant level of deferred revenues recorded on our balance sheet, which 
consist of service obligations that do not represent meaningful cash requirements.  We have deferred a significant portion of 
revenues from sales transactions and recorded them as deferred revenues. The satisfaction of the obligations that give rise to the 
deferred revenue are not expected to require significant use of cash in 2016.

Our cash requirements vary depending on factors such as the growth of our business, changes in working capital, capital 
expenditures, our acquisition of businesses or technologies, obligations under restructuring programs, and our debt servicing 
costs. We are continuing to focus on maintaining adequate liquidity and further reducing costs and improving our operational 
efficiency, including pursuant to the restructuring program we announced in February 2016.  We believe that we will have 
sufficient cash, cash equivalents, funds generated from operations and funds available under the Credit Facility to meet our 
operational objectives for at least the next 12 months, as well as for the foreseeable future.  However, if our cash needs fluctuate 
significantly we may not have sufficient liquidity to meet all of our obligations.  We may need additional financing in the future, 
the availability of which will depend on a variety of factors such as our future financial and operating performance and financial 
market conditions.  We may have difficulty obtaining additional financing on attractive terms or at all.  

Cerberus Financing Agreement

On February 26, 2016, we entered into a financing agreement with Cerberus Business Finance, LLC, as collateral and 
administrative agent, and other lender parties (the “Cerberus Financing Agreement”).  Pursuant to the Cerberus Financing 
Agreement, the lenders agreed to provide us with (a) a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $100 million (the “Term 
Loan”) and (b) a revolving credit facility of up to a maximum of $5 million in borrowings outstanding at any time (the “Credit 
Facility”).  We borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan, or $100 million, as of the closing date, but did not borrow any amount 
under the Credit Facility as of the Closing Date.  All outstanding loans under the Cerberus Financing Agreement will become due 
and payable on the earlier of February 26, 2021 and the date that is 30 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of our outstanding 
2.00% convertible senior notes due 2020, which is June 15, 2020.  Prior to the maturity of the Credit Facility, any amounts 
borrowed under the Credit Facility may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Cerberus Financing Agreement, 
reborrowed in whole or in part without penalty.

Concurrently with the entry into the Cerberus Financing Agreement, we terminated the KeyBank Credit Agreement and repaid all 
outstanding borrowings under such agreement. There were no penalties paid by us in connection with this termination.  In 
addition to repaying borrowings under the KeyBank Credit Agreement, the Term Loan proceeds will be used to fund the 
Company’s restructuring program announced in February 2016 and to provide ongoing liquidity, including to fund operations. 

Financial terms and prepayments.  Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan and the Credit Facility at a 
rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.75% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the 
Financing Agreement) plus 5.75%, at the option of the Company.  The Term Loan is subject to a $1.25 million mandatory 
principal amortization per quarter commencing in June 2016.  The Company may prepay all or any portion of the Term Loan prior 
to its stated maturity, subject to the payment of certain fees based on the amount repaid. The Company must pay to the lenders, on 
a monthly basis, an unused line fee at a rate of 0.5% per annum on an amount equal to (1) the total lending commitments under 
the Credit Facility less (2) the average daily amount of the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility during the 
immediately preceding month. During the term of the Credit Facility, the Company is entitled to reduce the maximum amounts of 
the lenders’ commitments under the Credit Facility, subject to the payment of certain fees based on the amount of any reduction. 
In addition, subject to limited exceptions the Company will be required to prepay the borrowings under the Cerberus Financing 
Agreement with proceeds it receives from specified events, including sales of assets, tax refunds, legal judgments and settlements, 
third party indemnities insurance proceeds and condemnation awards. Each year the Company will be required to prepay the 
borrowings under the Cerberus Financing Agreement in an amount equal to 50% of the excess cash flow of the Company.   

Collateral and guarantees.  The Company and its subsidiary,  Avid Technology Worldwide, Inc. (“Avid Worldwide”), granted a 
security interest on substantially all of their assets to secure the obligations of all obligors under the Term Loan and the Credit 
Facility. Avid Worldwide provided a guarantee of all the Company’s obligations under the Cerberus Financing Agreement. Future 
subsidiaries of the Company (other than certain foreign and immaterial subsidiaries) are also required to become a party to the 
applicable security agreements and guarantee the obligations under the Cerberus Financing Agreement.

51

Financial and other covenants.  The Cerberus Financing Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and 
covenants.  These include covenants requiring the Company to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined to mean the ratio of (a) 
consolidated total funded indebtedness to (b) consolidated EBITDA) of no greater than 4.35:1.00 for the four quarters ending 
June 30, 2016, 5.40:1.00 for the four quarters ending September 30, 2016, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 
2016 and thereafter declining over time from 3.50:1.00 to 2.50:1.00.  The Financing Agreement also restricts the Company from 
making capital expenditures in excess of $20,000,000 in any fiscal year.

The Financing Agreement contains restrictive covenants that are customary for an agreement of this kind, including, for example, 
covenants that restrict the Company from incurring additional indebtedness, granting liens, making investments and restricted 
payments, making acquisitions, paying dividends, and engaging in transactions with affiliates.  Certain exceptions to these 
restrictive covenants are not available in the event the Company’s liquidity (defined as cash held in U.S. accounts and availability 
under the Credit Facility) is less than $30.0 million.

Events of default.  The Cerberus Financing Agreement contains customary events of default under which the Company’s payment 
obligations may be accelerated.  These events of default include, among others, failure to pay amounts payable under the Cerberus 
Financing Agreement when due, breach of representations and warranties, failure to perform covenants, a change of control, 
default or acceleration of material indebtedness, certain judgments and certain impairments to the collateral. 

2.00% Convertible Senior Notes

On June 15, 2015, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the 
“Notes”).  The net proceeds from the offering were $120.3 million after deducting the offering expenses.  The Notes pay interest 
semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 2.00% and 
mature on June 15, 2020 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date.  In connection 
with the offering of the Notes, on June 9, 2015, we entered into a capped call derivative transaction with a third party (the 
“Capped Call”).  The Capped Call is expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the common stock and/or offset any 
cash payments we may be required to make in excess of the principal amount upon conversion of the Notes in the event that the 
market price per share of the common stock is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call.  The Capped Call has a strike price 
of $21.94 and a cap price of $26.00 and is exercisable by us when and if the Notes are converted. The Capped Call expires on 
June 15, 2020.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

Net cash used in operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

$

(34,026) $
(81,796)
109,558
(890)
(7,154) $

(9,897) $
(11,800)
(436)
(1,014)
(23,147) $

(9,145)

(11,536)
(96)

(1,410)

(22,187)

Cash used in operating activities aggregated $34.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  The cash usage during 2015 
was primarily attributable to the annual bonus payments, product development costs, and the professional and consulting services 
related to the acquisition of Orad. 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the net cash flow used in investing activities reflected $66.0 million used for our 
acquisition of Orad, and $15.3 million used for the purchase of property and equipment.  Our purchases of property and 

52

 
equipment largely consist of computer hardware and software to support R&D activities and information systems and leasehold 
improvements. 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2015,  the net cash flow provided by financing activities reflected $120.4 million net proceeds 
from the Notes due 2020, $10.1 million paid for the Capped Call, $8.0 million paid for the shares of common stock we 
repurchased, and $1.2 million issuance costs paid for our Credit Agreement with KeyBank.  At December 31, 2015, we had $5.0 
million in outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement with Keybank, which was repaid on February 26, 2016 without 
penalties.

CONTRACTUAL AND COMMERCIAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table sets forth future payments that we were obligated to make at December 31, 2015 under existing lease 
agreements and commitments to purchase inventory and other goods and services (in thousands):

Operating leases

Unconditional purchase obligations (a)

Total

$

$

68,031

39,500

107,531

$

$

Less than
1 Year

1 – 3 Years

3 – 5 Years

After
5 Years

17,825

39,500

57,325

$

$

25,251

—

25,251

$

$

18,242

—

18,242

$

$

6,713

—

6,713

(a)  At December 31, 2015, we had entered into purchase commitments for certain inventory and other goods and services used in our 
normal operations.  The purchase commitments covered by these agreements are generally for a period of less than one year.

Other contractual arrangements or unrecognized tax positions that may result in cash payments consisted of the following at 
December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Unrecognized tax positions and related interest

Stand-by letters of credit

Total

Less than
1 Year

1 – 3 Years

3 – 5 Years

After
5 Years

$

$

3,217

2,566

5,783

$

$

121

723

844

$

$

3,096

560

3,656

$

$

— $

1,283

1,283

$

—

—

—

We have the Notes of $125.0 million maturing in June 2020 with semi-annual interest payment of $1.3 million. On February 26, 
2016, we entered into the Financing Agreement and borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan, or $100 million, as described in 
more detail in Item 1. Business - Recent Events.

We have letters of credit that are used as security deposits in connection with our leased Burlington, Massachusetts headquarters 
office space and other leases. In the event of default on the underlying leases, the landlords would, at December 31, 2015, be 
eligible to draw against the letters of credit to a maximum of $2.2 million in the aggregate.  The letters of credit are subject to 
aggregate reductions provided that we are not in default of the underlying leases and meet certain financial performance 
conditions.  In no case will the letters of credit amounts for the Burlington leases be reduced to below $1.2 million in the 
aggregate throughout the lease periods, all of which extend to May 2020.

In addition, we have letters of credit totaling $0.4 million that support our ongoing operations.  These letters of credit have various 
terms and expire during 2016 and beyond, while some of the letters of credit may automatically renew based on the terms of the 
underlying agreements. 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Other than operating leases, we do not engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements or have any variable-interest entities.  
At December 31, 2015, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

53

 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
   
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and the International Accounting Standards Board 
(the “IASB”) issued substantially converged final standards on revenue recognition. The standard outlines a single comprehensive 
model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue 
recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance becomes effective for us on 
January 1, 2018, and early adoption as of January 1, 2017 is permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective 
or a modified approach to adopt the guidance in the ASU.  We have not yet selected a transition method and are evaluating the 
effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt 
issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability.  
Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.  We incurred transaction costs of $4.7 
million relating to the issuance of the Notes, and have adopted the guidance in 2015.  In accounting for the transaction costs, we 
allocated the costs of the offering between debt and equity in proportion to the fair value of the debt and equity recognized. The 
transaction costs allocated to the debt component of approximately $3.6 million were recorded as a direct deduction from the face 
amount of the Notes and are being amortized as interest expense over the term of the Notes using the interest method. 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 provides 
guidance around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as 
a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate 
whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within 
one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods 
within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the potential impact 
of adopting this standard on our financial statements.

On November 20, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The standard requires 
entities to present all deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) as non-current in a classified balance 
sheet.  The standard simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and 
non-current in a classified balance sheet.  The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal 
years, beginning December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted.  We early adopted the guidance to simplify our reporting for 
the current year and have disclosed the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle in accordance with the 
guidance.  Prior balance sheets were retrospectively adjusted, resulting in a $0.3 million reclassification of current DTAs to long-
term DTAs in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting standard, ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Lessees will need to 
recognize virtually all of their leases on the balance sheet, by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The new guidance 
becomes effective for us on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  We are evaluating the potential 
impact of adopting this standard our its financial statements.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We have significant international operations and, therefore, our revenues, earnings, cash flows and financial position are exposed 
to foreign currency risk from foreign-currency-denominated receivables, payables, sales transactions and net investments in 
foreign operations. We derive more than half of our revenues from customers outside the United States. This business is, for the 
most part, transacted through international subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the end-user customers. Therefore, we are 
exposed to the risks that changes in foreign currency could adversely affect our revenues, net income and cash flow. 

54

We may use derivatives in the form of foreign currency contracts to manage certain short-term exposures to fluctuations in the 
foreign currency exchange rates that exist as part of our ongoing international business operations. We do not enter into any 
derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The success of our hedging programs depends on forecasts of 
transaction activity in the various currencies and contract rates versus financial statement rates. To the extent these forecasts are 
overstated or understated during periods of currency volatility, we could experience unanticipated currency gains or losses. 

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on 
the intended use of the derivative and whether we have elected to designate the derivative as a hedge. We may also enter into 
derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of our risks, even though we elect not to apply hedge 
accounting. 

In an effort to hedge against the foreign exchange exposure of certain forecasted receivables, intercompany accounts, payables 
and cash balances, we enter into short-term foreign currency forward contracts. There are two objectives of this foreign currency 
forward-contract program: (1) to offset any foreign exchange currency risk associated with cash receipts expected to be received 
from our customers and cash payments expected to be made to our vendors over the next 30-day period and (2) to offset the 
impact of foreign currency exchange on our net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of 
the legal entity. These forward contracts typically mature within 30 days of execution. We have not designated these forward 
contracts as hedging instruments and, accordingly, we recorded the fair value of these contracts at the end of each reporting period 
in our consolidated balance sheet, with changes in the fair value recorded in our marketing and selling expenses. 

We had no outstanding foreign currency forward contracts and short-term foreign currency spot contracts at December 31, 2015. 
We assumed from Orad outstanding foreign currency spot contracts and call and put options to hedge cash flow risks associated 
with foreign exchange rates. The aggregate notional value of the outstanding contracts and options was $1.0 million at 
December 31, 2015. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded net gains (losses) of $1.3 million, 
$(0.9) million and $(0.2) million, respectively, that resulted from foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency 
denominated transactions, and the revaluation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. 

A hypothetical change of 10% in appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign 
currency exchange rates at December 31, 2015, would not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows.

Interest Rate Risk

At December 31, 2015, we maintained a revolving Credit Facility with Keybank that allowed us to borrow up to $35.0 million.  
We had $5.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility with Keybank at December 31, 2015, which was repaid 
on February 26, 2016 without penalties.  A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in interest rates paid on outstanding borrowings 
under the Credit Facility with Keybank would not have had a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or 
cash flows.

On February 26, 2016, we borrowed $100.0 million under the Term Loan, that bears interest at approximately 7.75%.  We also 
maintain a revolving Credit Facility that allows us to borrow up to $5.0 million.  A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in 
interest rates paid on outstanding borrowings under the Financing Agreement would not have a material impact on our financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows.

On June 15, 2015, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes pursuant to the terms of an indenture.  The 
Notes pay interest semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 
2.00% and mature on June 15, 2020 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The 
fair value of the Notes is dependent on the price and volatility of our common stock as well as movements in interest rates.  The 
fair value of our common stock and interest rate changes affect the fair value of the Notes, but do not impact our financial 
position, cash flows or results of operations due to the fixed nature of the debt obligations. 

55

ITEM 8. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITEM 8:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

56

 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Avid Technology, Inc.
Burlington, Massachusetts

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Avid Technology, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders' 
deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements 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 financial position of the 
Company as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control 
– Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our 
report dated March 15, 2016 expressed an adverse opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting due to the 
material weaknesses identified. 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 15, 2016 

57

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

Net revenues:
Products
Services

Total net revenues

Cost of revenues:

Products
Services
Amortization of intangible assets

Total cost of revenues

Gross profit
Operating expenses:

Research and development
Marketing and selling
General and administrative
Amortization of intangible assets
Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

Total operating expenses

Operating income
Interest income
Interest expense
Other (expense) income, net
Income before income taxes
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
Net income

Net income per common share – basic and diluted

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

$

$

$

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

$

$

336,371
169,224
505,595

131,881
61,501
4,063
197,445
308,150

95,898
122,511
74,109
2,354
6,305
301,177
6,973
113
(6,346)
(175)
565
(1,915)
2,480

0.06

39,423
40,380

$

$

$

378,627
151,624
530,251

143,765
60,656
50
204,471
325,780

90,390
133,049
81,181
1,626
(165)
306,081
19,699
126
(1,771)
(1,138)
16,916
2,188
14,728

0.38

39,147
39,267

395,531
167,881
563,412

159,264
63,177
1,468
223,909
339,503

95,249
133,890
77,578
2,648
5,370
314,735
24,768
555
(1,574)
343
24,092
2,939
21,153

0.54

39,044
39,070

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(in thousands)

Net income

Other comprehensive loss:

    Foreign currency translation adjustments

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

2,480

$

14,728

$

21,153

(6,566)

(7,540)

(1,717)

Comprehensive (loss) income

$

(4,086)

$

7,188

$

19,436

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

59

 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)

Current assets:

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $9,226 and $10,692 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Other current assets

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Long-term deferred tax assets, net
Other long-term assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Accrued compensation and benefits
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short-term debt
Deferred revenues

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt
Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net
Long-term deferred revenues
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note L)

Stockholders’ deficit:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 42,339 shares issued, and 39,530 shares and

39,294 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively

Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Treasury stock at cost, net of reissuances, 2,809 shares and 3,045 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014,

respectively

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total stockholders’ deficit
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

60

$

$

$

December 31,

2015

2014

$

$

$

17,902
58,807
48,073
6,548
6,119
137,449
35,481
33,219
32,643
2,011
7,123
247,926

45,511
28,124
35,354
1,023
5,000
189,887
304,899
95,950
3,443
158,495
14,711
577,498

25,056
54,655
48,001
6,892
17,932
152,536
32,136
2,445
—
2,208
2,274
191,599

32,951
32,636
32,353
5,480
—
206,608
310,028
—
136
208,232
14,273
532,669

—

—

423
1,055,838
(1,319,318)

423
1,049,969
(1,321,798)

(58,336)
(8,179)
(329,572)
247,926

$

(68,051)
(1,613)
(341,070)
191,599

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(in thousands)

Balances at January 1, 2013

Shares of
Common Stock

Additional

Issued

42,339

In
Treasury
(3,403)

Common
Stock

423

Paid-in
Capital
1,039,562

Accumulated
Deficit
(1,357,679)

Treasury
Stock
(75,542)

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
7,644

Total

Stockholders’
Deficit

(385,592)

Stock issued pursuant to employee stock plans

146

Stock-based compensation

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

(3,095)

6,917

2,999

21,153

Balances at December 31, 2013

42,339

(3,257)

423

1,043,384

(1,336,526)

(72,543)

Stock issued pursuant to employee stock plans

212

Stock-based compensation

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

(4,928)

11,513

4,492

14,728

Balances at December 31, 2014

42,339

(3,045)

423

1,049,969

(1,321,798)

(68,051)

Stock issued pursuant to employee stock plans

823

(14,215)

17,691

Stock-based compensation

Convertible senior notes conversion feature (net of
taxes of $6,493 and net of issuance cost of $1,088)

Purchase of capped call transaction

9,514

20,718

(10,125)

Repurchase of common stock

(587)

(23)

(7,976)

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

2,480

(96)

6,917

21,153

(1,717)

5,927

(1,717)

(359,335)

(436)

11,513

14,728

(7,540)

(1,613)

(7,540)

(341,070)

3,476

9,514

20,718

(10,125)

(7,999)

2,480

(6,566)

(6,566)

Balances at December 31, 2015

42,339

(2,809)

$423 $1,055,838

$(1,319,318)

$(58,336)

$(8,179)

$(329,572)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

61

 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
(Recovery) provision for doubtful accounts
Gain on sales of assets
Stock-based compensation expense
Non-cash interest expense
Unrealized foreign currency transaction gains
(Benefit) provision for deferred taxes
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses, compensation and benefits and other liabilities
Income taxes payable
Deferred revenues

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Change in other long-term assets
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from divestiture of consumer business
Proceeds from sale of assets
Increase in restricted cash

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs
Payments for repurchase of common stock
Cash paid for capped call transaction
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
Common stock repurchases for tax withholdings for net settlement of equity awards
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities
Payments on revolving credit facilities
Payments for credit facility issuance costs

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
Cash paid for interest
Non-cash transaction – property and equipment included in accounts payable or accruals
Issuance costs for long-term debt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

62

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

2,480

$

14,728

$

21,153

20,088
(23)
—
9,514
2,890
(7,013)
(6,693)

2,442
3,056
10,000
11,232
(11,842)
(1,041)
(69,116)
(34,026)

(15,330)
(43)
(65,967)
—
—
(456)
(81,796)

120,401
(7,999)
(10,125)
5,035
(1,559)
70,500
(65,500)
(1,195)
109,558

(890)
(7,154)
25,056
17,902

2,251
3,456
500
130

$

$

17,954
(143)
—
11,513
220
(6,730)
69

2,258
12,122
(2,130)
(947)
(5,758)
(1,090)
(51,963)
(9,897)

(13,292)
(8)
—
1,500
—
—
(11,800)

—
—
—
252
(688)
25,500
(25,500)
—
(436)

(1,014)
(23,147)
48,203
25,056

2,146
1,551
—
—

$

$

22,767
157
(125)
6,917
294
(10)
730

11,030
9,021
4,393
(1,416)
8,932
(1,324)
(91,664)
(9,145)

(11,625)
(36)
—
—
125
—
(11,536)

—
—
—
177
(273)
—
—
—
(96)

(1,410)
(22,187)
70,390
48,203

2,173
1,281
—
—

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.  BUSINESS

Description of Business

Avid Technology, Inc. (“Avid” or the “Company”) provides technology solutions that enable the creation, distribution and 
monetization of audio and video content.  Specifically, the Company develops, markets, sells and supports software and hardware for 
digital media content production, management and distribution.  Digital media are video, audio or graphic elements in which the 
image, sound or picture is recorded and stored as digital values, as opposed to analog or tape-based signals.  The Company’s products 
are used in production and post-production facilities; film studios; network, affiliate, independent and cable television stations; 
recording studios; live-sound performance venues; advertising agencies; government and educational institutions; corporate 
communication departments; and by independent video and audio creative professionals, as well as aspiring professionals and 
enthusiasts.  Projects produced using Avid’s products include feature films, television programming, live events, news broadcasts, 
commercials, music, video and other digital media content.

Management Plans

The Company has generally funded operations in recent years through the use of existing cash balances, supplemented from time to 
time with borrowings under credit facilities.  Cash used in operating activities aggregated $34.0 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2015.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company commenced restructuring actions that are part of a broad restructuring plan encompassing a 
series of measures intended to allow the Company to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These 
include reductions in the Company’s workforce, facilities consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, 
and reducing other third-party services costs. In connection with this restructuring plan, the Company expects to incur incremental 
cash expenditures of approximately $25 million relating to termination benefits, facility costs, employee overlap expenses and related 
actions. The Company anticipates that the restructuring plan will be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017 
and when fully implemented, is expected to result in annualized costs savings of appropriately $68 million.

In connection with the cost efficiency program, on February 26, 2016, the Company entered into a term loan with an aggregate 
principal amount of $100 million and up to a maximum of $5 million in revolving credit (collectively, the “Financing Agreement”). 
All outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will become due and payable in February 2021, or in May 2020 if the $125.0 
million in outstanding principal from the 2.00% convertible senior notes due June 15, 2020 have not been repaid or refinanced. The 
Financing Agreement requires the Company to comply with a financial statement covenant that stipulates a maximum leverage ratio 
commencing in June 30, 2016. Proceeds from the Financing Agreement will be used to replace the existing $35 million revolving 
credit facility, finance the Company’s efficiency program and other initiatives, and provide operating flexibility throughout the 
remainder of the transformation in this period of heightened market volatility.  The Company estimates that after paying for both debt 
issuance costs and the efficiency program, the new financing will provide approximately $70 million of available liquidity, about half 
of which replaces the existing revolving credit facility with the remainder providing incremental liquidity to fund operations.

Concurrent with entering into the Financing Agreement, the Company terminated its existing revolving credit agreement, and repaid 
all outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreement. There were no penalties paid by the Company in connection with the 
termination of the revolving credit agreement. 

The Company’s principal sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents totaling $17.9 million at December 31, 2015 and the 
proceeds from the Financing Agreement.  The Company’s cash requirements vary depending on factors such as the growth of the 
business, changes in working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions of businesses or technologies and obligations under 
restructuring programs. Management expects to operate the business and execute its strategic initiatives principally with funds 
generated from operations and the proceeds from the Financing Agreement.  Management anticipates that the Company will have 
sufficient internal and external sources of liquidity to fund operations and anticipated working capital and other expected cash needs 
for at least the next twelve months as well as for the foreseeable future.

63

B.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  Intercompany balances 
and transactions have been eliminated.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and 
expenses during the reported periods.  Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.

Revenue Recognition

General

The Company commences revenue recognition when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales 
price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Generally, the products the Company sells do not require 
significant production, modification or customization. Installation of the Company’s products is generally routine, consists of 
implementation and configuration and does not have to be performed by the Company.

At the time of a sales transaction, the Company makes an assessment of the collectability of the amount due from the customer. 
Revenues are recognized only if it is reasonably assured that collection will occur. When making this assessment, the Company 
considers customer credit-worthiness and historical payment experience. If it is determined from the outset of the arrangement that 
collection is not reasonably assured, revenues are recognized on a cash basis, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are 
satisfied. At the outset of the arrangement, the Company also assesses whether the fee associated with the order is fixed or 
determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties. When assessing whether the fee is fixed or determinable, the 
Company considers the payment terms of the transaction, the Company’s collection experience in similar transactions without making 
concessions, and the Company’s involvement, if any, in third-party financing transactions, among other factors. If the fee is not fixed 
or determinable, revenues are recognized only as payments become due from the customer, provided that all other revenue recognition 
criteria are met. If a significant portion of the fee is due after the Company’s normal payment terms, the Company evaluates whether 
the Company has sufficient history of successfully collecting past transactions with similar terms without offering concessions. If that 
collection history is sufficient, revenue recognition commences, upon delivery of the products, assuming all other revenue recognition 
criteria are satisfied. If the Company was to make different judgments or assumptions about any of these matters, it could cause a 
material increase or decrease in the amount of revenues reported in a particular period.

The Company often receives multiple purchase orders or contracts from a single customer or a group of related customers that are 
evaluated to determine if they are, in effect, part of a single arrangement. In situations when the Company has concluded that two or 
more orders with the same customer are so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single arrangement, the Company accounts 
for those orders as a single arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. In other circumstances, when the Company has concluded 
that two or more orders with the same customer are independent buying decisions, such as an earlier purchase of a product and a 
subsequent purchase of a software upgrade or maintenance contract, the Company accounts for those orders as separate arrangements 
for revenue recognition purposes.

For many of the Company’s products, there has been an ongoing practice of Avid making available at no charge to customers minor 
feature and compatibility enhancements as well as bug fixes on a when-and-if-available basis (collectively “Software Updates”), for a 
period of time after initial sales to end users. The implicit obligation to make such Software Updates available to customers over a 
period of time represents implied post-contract customer support, which is deemed to be a deliverable in each arrangement and is 
accounted for as a separate element (“Implied Maintenance Release PCS”).

Over the course of the last two years, in connection with a strategic initiative to increase support and other recurring revenue streams, 
the Company has taken a number of steps to eliminate the longstanding practice of providing Implied Maintenance Release PCS for 
the Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius product lines.  On Media Composer 8.0 in particular, which was released in May 2014, 
management has (i) clearly communicated a policy of no longer providing any Software Updates or other support to customers that are 
not covered under a paid support plan and (ii) implemented robust digital rights management tools to enforce the policy.  With the new 

64

policy and technology for Media Composer 8.0 in place, combined with management’s intent to continue to adhere to the policy, 
management concluded in the third quarter of 2015 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Media Composer 8.0 transactions no 
longer exists.  As a result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 has ended, revenue and 
net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 increased by $13.0 million, reflecting the recognition of orders received 
after the launch of Media Composer 8.0 that would have qualified for earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting.  In 
addition, as the elimination of Implied Maintenance Release PCS also resulted in the accelerated recognition of maintenance and 
product revenues that were previously being recognized over the expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather than the 
contractual maintenance period, the change in the estimated amortization period of transactions being recognized on a ratable basis 
resulted in an additional $9.5 million of revenue during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Management also concluded in 
the fourth quarter of 2015 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Sibelius 8.0 had ended, which did not have a significant impact 
on revenue recognition for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  Management will continue to evaluate the judgment of 
whether Implied Maintenance Release PCS exists on each product line and version.  If and when management concludes Implied 
Maintenance Release PCS no longer exists for other product lines or versions in future quarters, software revenue related to orders 
affected will be accelerated and prospective revenue recognition on new product orders will be recognized upfront, assuming all other 
revenue recognition criteria are met and vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value exists for all undelivered elements.

The Company enters into certain contractual arrangements that have multiple elements, one or more of which may be delivered 
subsequent to the delivery of other elements. These multiple-deliverable arrangements may include products, support, training, 
professional services and Implied Maintenance Release PCS. For these multiple-element arrangements, the Company allocates 
revenue to each deliverable of the arrangement based on the relative selling prices of the deliverables. In such circumstances, the 
Company first determines the selling price of each deliverable based on (i) VSOE of fair value if that exists; (ii) third-party evidence 
of selling price (“TPE”), when VSOE does not exist; or (iii) best estimate of the selling price  (“BESP”), when neither VSOE nor TPE 
exists. Revenue is then allocated to the non-software deliverables as a group and to the software deliverables as a group using the 
relative selling prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the selling price hierarchy. The Company’s process for 
determining BESP for deliverables for which VSOE or TPE does not exist involves significant management judgment. In determining 
BESP, the Company considers a number of data points, including:

• 

• 
• 
• 

the pricing established by management when setting prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone 
basis;
contractually stated prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone basis;
the pricing of standalone sales that may not qualify as VSOE of fair value due to limited volumes or variation in prices; and
other pricing factors, such as the geographical region in which the products are sold and expected discounts based on the 
customer size and type. 

In determining a BESP for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which the Company does not sell separately, the Company considers (i) 
the service period for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS, (ii) the differential in value of the Implied Maintenance Release PCS 
deliverable compared to a full support contract, (iii) the likely list price that would have resulted from the Company’s established 
pricing practices had the deliverable been offered separately, and (iv) the prices a customer would likely be willing to pay.

The Company estimates the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS based on the length of time the product version 
purchased by the customer is planned to be supported with Software Updates. If facts and circumstances indicate that the original 
service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for a product has changed significantly after original revenue recognition has 
commenced, the Company will modify the remaining estimated service period accordingly and recognize the then-remaining deferred 
revenue balance over the revised service period.

The Company has established VSOE of fair value for all professional services and training and for some of the Company’s support 
offerings. The Company’s policy for establishing VSOE of fair value consists of evaluating standalone sales, where available, to 
determine if a substantial portion of the transactions fall within a reasonable range. If a sufficient volume of standalone sales exist and 
the standalone pricing for a substantial portion of the transactions falls within a reasonable range, management concludes that VSOE 
of fair value exists.

In accordance with ASU No. 2009-14, the Company excludes from the scope of software revenue recognition requirements the 
Company’s sales of tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the 
essential functionality of the tangible products. The Company adopted ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 prospectively on 
January 1, 2011 for new and materially modified arrangements originating after December 31, 2010. 

Prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the Company primarily recognized revenues using the revenue recognition 
criteria of Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Subtopic 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition. As a result of the 

65

Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2009-14 on January 1, 2011, a majority of the Company’s products are now considered non-software 
elements under GAAP, which excludes them from the scope of ASC Subtopic 985-605 and includes them within the scope of ASC 
Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Because the Company had not been able to establish VSOE of fair value for Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS, as described further below, substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 were recognized on a ratable 
basis over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS. Subsequent to January 1, 2011 and the adoption of ASU No. 
2009-14, the Company determines a relative selling price for all elements of the arrangement through the use of BESP, as VSOE and 
TPE are typically not available, resulting in revenue recognition upon delivery of arrangement consideration attributable to product 
revenue, provided all other criteria for revenue recognition are met, and revenue recognition of Implied Maintenance Release PCS and 
other service and support elements over time as services are rendered.

Revenue Recognition of Non-Software Deliverables

Revenue from products that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized upon delivery of the product to the customer. 
Products are considered delivered to the customer once they have been shipped and title and risk of loss has been transferred. For most 
of the Company’s product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. Revenue from support that is considered a 
non-software deliverable is initially deferred and is recognized ratably over the contractual period of the arrangement, which is 
generally 12 months. Professional services and training services are typically sold to customers on a time and materials basis. Revenue 
from professional services and training services that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized for these deliverables as 
services are provided to the customer. Revenue for Implied Maintenance Release PCS that is considered a non-software deliverable is 
recognized ratably over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which ranges from 1 to 8 years. 

Revenue Recognition of Software Deliverables

The Company recognizes the following types of elements sold using software revenue recognition guidance: (i) software products and 
software upgrades, when the software sold in a customer arrangement is more than incidental to the arrangement as a whole and the 
product does not contain hardware that functions with the software to provide essential functionality, (ii) initial support contracts 
where the underlying product being supported is considered to be a software deliverable, (iii) support contract renewals, and (iv) 
professional services and training that relate to deliverables considered to be software deliverables.  Because the Company does not 
have VSOE of the fair value of its software products, the Company is permitted to account for its typical customer arrangements that 
include multiple elements using the residual method.  Under the residual method, the VSOE of fair value of the undelivered elements 
(which could include support, professional services or training, or any combination thereof) is deferred and the remaining portion of 
the total arrangement fee is recognized as revenue for the delivered elements.  If evidence of the VSOE of fair value of one or more 
undelivered elements does not exist, revenues are deferred and recognized when delivery of those elements occurs or when VSOE of 
fair value can be established.  VSOE of fair value is typically based on the price charged when the element is sold separately to 
customers.  The Company is unable to use the residual method to recognize revenues for many arrangements that include products that 
are software deliverables under GAAP since VSOE of fair value does not exist for Implied Maintenance Release PCS elements, which 
are included in many of the Company’s arrangements.

For software products that include Implied Maintenance Release PCS, an element for which VSOE of fair value does not exist, 
revenue for the entire arrangement fee, which could include combinations of product, professional services, training and support, 
is recognized ratably as a group over the longest service period of any deliverable in the arrangement, with recognition commencing 
on the date delivery has occurred for all deliverables in the arrangement (or begins to occur in the case of professional services, 
training and support).  Standalone sales of support contracts are recognized ratably over the service period of the product being 
supported. 

From time to time, the Company offers certain customers free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements.  When a 
software deliverable arrangement contains an Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable, revenue recognition of the entire 
arrangement will only commence when any free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements have been delivered, assuming 
all other products in the arrangement have been delivered and all services, if any, have commenced.

Other Revenue Recognition Policies

In a limited number of arrangements, the professional services and training to be delivered are considered essential to the functionality 
of the Company’s software products.  If services sold in an arrangement are deemed to be essential to the functionality of the software 
products, the arrangement is accounted for using contract accounting.  As the Company has concluded that it cannot reliably estimate 
its contract costs, the Company uses the completed contract method of contract accounting.  The completed contract method of 

66

accounting defers all revenue and costs until the date that the products have been delivered and professional services, exclusive of 
post-contract customer support, have been completed.  Deferred costs related to fully deferred contracts are recorded as a component 
of inventories in the consolidated balance sheet, and generally all other costs of sales are recognized when revenue recognition 
commences. 

The Company records as revenues all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs and records its actual shipping costs 
as a component of cost of revenues.  Reimbursements received from customers for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as revenues, 
with related costs recorded as cost of revenues.  The Company presents revenues net of any taxes collected from customers and 
remitted to government authorities.

In the consolidated statements of operations, the Company classifies revenues as product revenues or services revenues.  For multiple-
element arrangements that include both product and service elements, including Implied Maintenance Release PCS, the Company 
evaluates available indicators of fair value and applies its judgment to reasonably classify the arrangement fee between product 
revenues and services revenues. The amount of multiple-element arrangement fees classified as product and service revenues based on 
management estimates of fair value when VSOE of fair value for all elements of an arrangement does not exist could differ from 
amounts classified as product and service revenues if VSOE of fair value for all elements existed.

Allowance for Sales Returns and Exchanges

The Company maintains allowances for estimated potential sales returns and exchanges from its customers.  The Company records a 
provision for estimated returns and other allowances as a reduction of revenues in the same period that related revenues are recorded 
based on historical experience and specific customer analysis.  Use of management estimates is required in connection with 
establishing and maintaining a sales allowance for expected returns and other credits.  If actual returns differ from the estimates, 
additional allowances could be required.

The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for sales returns and exchanges for the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

Allowance for sales returns and exchanges – beginning of year

Additions and adjustments to the allowance

Deductions against the allowance

Allowance for sales returns and exchanges – end of year

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

$

9,510

$

12,519

$

8,468
(9,395)
8,583

$

9,260
(12,269)
9,510

$

19,460

9,243

(16,184)

12,519

The allowance for sales returns and exchanges, which is recorded as a reduction to gross accounts receivable, reflects an estimate of 
amounts invoiced that will not be collected, as well as other allowances and credits that have been or are expected to offset the trade 
receivables.  Since many of the Company’s transactions require some or all of amounts invoiced to be recorded in deferred revenue 
under GAAP due to revenue recognition considerations, the Company has recorded reductions to deferred revenue of $3.2 million, 
$3.7 million and $6.1 million as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to eliminate the estimated deferred revenue 
attributable to transactions already provided for by the sales, returns and exchanges allowance.

67

 
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses from bad debt resulting from the inability of its customers to make required 
payments for products or services.  When evaluating the adequacy of the allowances, the Company analyzes accounts receivable 
balances, historical bad debt experience, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness and current economic trends.  To date, 
actual bad debts have not differed materially from management’s estimates.

The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 
2013 (in thousands):

Allowance for doubtful accounts – beginning of year

Bad debt (recovery) expense

Reduction in allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance for doubtful accounts – end of year

Translation of Foreign Currencies

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

$

1,182
(23)
(516)
643

$

$

1,444
(143)
(119)
1,182

$

$

1,517

157

(230)

1,444

The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency, except for the Irish manufacturing branch 
whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar due to the extensive interrelationship of the operations of the Irish branch and the U.S. 
parent and the high volume of intercompany transactions between that branch and the parent.  The assets and liabilities of the 
subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate in 
effect at the balance sheet date.  Income and expense items for these entities are translated using rates that approximate those in effect 
during the period.  Cumulative translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is 
reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit. The Company does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes 
in the foreign currency translation adjustment as the Company intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign 
subsidiaries.

The U.S. parent company and its Irish manufacturing branch, both of whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, carry certain 
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  These assets and liabilities typically include cash, 
accounts receivable and intercompany operating balances denominated in foreign currencies.  These assets and liabilities are 
remeasured into the U.S. dollar at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  Foreign currency transaction and 
remeasurement gains and losses are included within marketing and selling expenses in the results of operations.  See Note E for the 
net foreign exchange gains and losses recorded in the Company’s statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013 that resulted from the gains and losses on Company’s foreign currency contracts and the revaluation of the related 
hedged items.

The U.S. parent company and various other wholly owned subsidiaries have long-term intercompany loan balances denominated in 
foreign currencies that are remeasured into the U.S. dollar at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  Such loan 
balances are not expected to be settled in the foreseeable future.  Any gains and losses relating to these loans are included in the 
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit.

68

 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company measures cash equivalents and marketable securities at fair value on a recurring basis. The cash equivalents and market 
securities consist primarily of money market investments, mutual funds and insurance contracts held in deferred compensation plans. 
The money market investments and mutual funds held in the Company’s deferred compensation plan in the U.S. are reported at fair 
value within other current assets using quoted market prices with the gains and losses included as other (expense) income in the 
Company’s statement of operations. The insurance contracts held in the deferred compensation plans for employees in Israel and 
Germany are reported at fair value within other long term assets using other observable inputs.  Other than the investments held in the 
Company’s deferred compensation plans, the Company held no marketable securities at December 31, 2015 or 2014.  Amortization or 
accretion of premium or discount is included in interest income (expense) in the results of operations. 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, 
foreign currency contracts and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions that 
management believes to be of high credit quality, and, generally, there are no significant concentrations in any one issuer.  
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers that make up the 
Company’s customer base and their dispersion across different regions.  No individual customer accounted for 10% or more of the 
Company’s net revenues or net accounts receivable in the periods presented.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company has significant international operations and, therefore, the Company’s revenues, earnings, cash flows and financial 
position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign-currency-denominated receivables, payables, sales and expense 
transactions, and net investments in foreign operations.  The Company derives more than half of its revenues from customers outside 
the United States.  This business is, for the most part, transacted through international subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the 
end-user customers.  Therefore, the Company is exposed to the risks that changes in foreign currency could adversely affect its 
revenues, net income, cash flow and financial position.  The Company uses derivatives in the form of foreign currency contracts to 
manage its short-term exposures to fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates that exist as part of its ongoing international 
business operations.  The Company does not enter into any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company records all foreign currency contract derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the 
fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a 
hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply 
hedge accounting.  Derivatives designated and qualifying as hedges of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or 
firm commitment attributable to a particular risk are considered fair value hedges.  Derivatives designated and qualifying as hedges of 
the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.  
Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.  Hedge 
accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the 
recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge 
or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge.  Under hedge accounting, the determination of hedge 
effectiveness is dependent upon whether the gain or loss on the hedging derivative is highly effective in offsetting the gain or loss in 
the value of the item being hedged. The Company has not accounted for any foreign currency contracts as hedges in the periods 
presented.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value.  Management regularly reviews 
inventory quantities on hand and writes down inventory to its realizable value to reflect estimated obsolescence or lack of 
marketability based on assumptions about future inventory demand and market conditions.  Inventory in the digital-media market, 
including the Company’s inventory, is subject to rapid technological change or obsolescence; therefore, utilization of existing 
inventory may differ from the Company’s estimates.

69

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. 
The Company typically depreciates its property and equipment using the following minimum and maximum useful lives: 

Computer and video equipment and software, including internal use software

Manufacturing tooling and testbeds

Office equipment

Furniture, fixtures and other

Depreciable Life (years)

Minimum
2

Maximum
5

3

3

3

5

5

8

The Company capitalizes certain development costs incurred in connection with its internal use software. Costs incurred in the 
preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and 
external costs, if direct, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.  Capitalized costs are 
recorded as part of property and equipment.  Maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred.  Internal use software is 
amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life, generally three years. 

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. 
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.  Upon retirement or other disposition of assets, the cost and 
related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in other (expense) income 
in the results of operations.

Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Acquisition-related intangible assets consist of customer relationships, developed technology, trade names and non-compete 
agreements. These assets are determined to have either finite or indefinite lives. For finite-lived intangible assets amortization is 
straight-line over the estimated useful lives of such assets, which are generally two years to twelve years.  Straight-line amortization is 
used because the Company cannot reliably determine a discernible pattern over which the economic benefits would be realized.  The 
Company does not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets.  Intangible assets are tested for impairment when events and 
circumstances indicate there is an impairment.  The impairment test involves comparing the sum of undiscounted cash flows to the 
carrying value as of the measurement date.  Impairment occurs when the carrying value of the assets exceeds the sum of undiscounted 
cash flows.  Impairment is then measured as the difference between the carrying value and fair value determined using a discounted 
cash flow method.  In estimating the fair value using a discounted cash flow method, the Company uses assumptions that include 
forecast revenues, gross margins, operating profit margins, growth rates and long term discount rates, all of which require significant 
judgment by management.  Changes to these assumptions could affect the estimated fair value of the intangible asset and could result 
in an impairment charge in future.

The Company performs its annual and interim goodwill impairment tests when it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment 
exists.  The Company has concluded it has one reporting unit and the annual measurement date is October 31, 2015.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for events and circumstances that indicate a potential impairment.  A long-
lived asset is assessed for impairment when the undiscounted expected future cash flows derived from that asset are less than its 
carrying value.  The cash flows used for this analysis take into consideration a number of factors including past operating results, 
budgets and economic projections, market trends and product development cycles.  The amount of any impairment would be equal to 
the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset, based on a discounted cash flow analysis, and its carrying value.

Advertising Expenses

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are classified as marketing and selling expenses.  Advertising expenses were not 
material in the periods presented.

70

 
Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  Development costs for software to be sold that are incurred subsequent to 
the establishment of technological feasibility, but prior to the general release of the product, are capitalized.  Upon general release, 
these costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the related products, generally 12 to 36 months. The 
straight-line method generally results in approximately the same amount of expense as that calculated using the ratio that current 
period gross product revenues bear to total anticipated gross product revenues.  The Company periodically evaluates the assets, 
considering a number of business and economic factors, to determine if an impairment exists.  No amounts have been capitalized 
during 2015, 2014, and 2013 as the costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility have not been material.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and 
liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax 
returns.  The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss 
carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes 
compared to the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Deferred tax assets are regularly reviewed for recoverability with 
consideration for such factors as historical losses, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing 
temporary differences.  The Company is required to record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or 
all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its financial statements by applying a two-step process to 
determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized.  First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will 
be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  If the tax position is deemed 
more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial 
statements.  The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being 
realized upon ultimate settlement.  The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves (“unrecognized tax 
benefits”) that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation 

The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans allow the Company to grant stock awards, options, or other equity-based 
instruments, or a combination thereof, as part of its overall compensation strategy.  For stock-based awards granted, the Company 
records stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value over the requisite service periods for the individual 
awards, which generally equal the vesting periods.  The vesting of stock-based award grants may be based on time, performance 
conditions, market conditions, or a combination of performance or market conditions.

Product Warranties

The Company provides warranties on externally sourced and internally developed hardware.  The warranty period for all of the 
Company’s products is generally 90 days to one year, but can extend up to 5 years depending on the manufacturer’s warranty or local 
law.  For internally developed hardware and in cases where the warranty granted to customers for externally sourced hardware is 
greater than that provided by the manufacturer, the Company records an accrual for the related liability based on historical trends and 
actual material and labor costs.  At the end of each quarter, the Company reevaluates its estimates to assess the adequacy of the 
recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the accrued amounts accordingly.

Computation of Net Income Per Share

Net income per share is presented for both basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”).  
Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding non-vested restricted 
stock held by employees.  Diluted EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common and potential common shares 
outstanding during the period.  Potential common shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and non-vested 
restricted stock and restricted stock units, the proceeds and remaining unrecorded compensation expense of which are then assumed to 
have been used to repurchase outstanding common stock using the treasury stock method.  For periods when the Company reports a 
loss, all potential common stock is considered anti-dilutive.  For periods when the Company reports net income, potential common 
shares with combined purchase prices and unamortized compensation costs in excess of the Company’s average common stock fair 
value for the related period or that are contingently issuable are considered anti-dilutive. The Company issued convertible senior notes 

71

in 2015, and the Company applied the treasury stock method in measuring the dilutive impact of those potential common shares to be 
issued.

Accounting for Restructuring Plans

The Company records facility-related and contract termination restructuring charges in accordance with ASC Topic 420, Liabilities: 
Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.  Based on the Company’s policies for the calculation and payment of severance benefits, the 
Company accounts for employee-related restructuring charges as an ongoing benefit arrangement in accordance with ASC Topic 712, 
Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits.  The Company recognizes facility-related restructuring charges upon exiting 
all or a portion of a leased facility and meeting cease-use and other requirements. The amount of restructuring charges is based on the 
fair value of the lease obligation for the abandoned space, which includes a sublease assumption that could be reasonably obtained.  
Restructuring charges and accruals require significant estimates and assumptions, including sub-lease income assumptions.  These 
estimates and assumptions are monitored on at least a quarterly basis for changes in circumstances and any corresponding adjustments 
to the accrual are recorded in the Company’s statement of operations in the period when such changes are known.

Related Party Transactions

From time to time the Company enters into arrangements with parties which may be affiliated with the Company, executive officers 
and members of the Company’s Board of Directors. These transactions are primarily comprised of sales transactions in the normal 
course of business and are immaterial to the financial statements for all periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and the International Accounting Standards Board (the 
“IASB”) issued substantially converged final standards on revenue recognition.  The standard outlines a single comprehensive model 
for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition 
guidance, including industry-specific guidance.  The new revenue recognition guidance becomes effective for the Company on 
January 1, 2018, and early adoption as of January 1, 2017 is permitted.  Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a 
modified approach to adopt the guidance in the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”).  The Company has not yet selected a 
transition method and is evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related 
disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance 
costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability.  Early adoption 
is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.  The Company incurred transaction costs of $4.7 million 
relating to the issuance of the convertible senior notes, and has adopted the guidance in 2015.  In accounting for the transaction costs, 
the Company allocated the costs of the offering between debt and equity in proportion to the fair value of the debt and equity 
recognized. The transaction costs allocated to the debt component of approximately $3.6 million were recorded as a direct deduction 
from the face amount of the convertible senior notes and are being amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes using the 
interest method. 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 provides 
guidance around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a 
going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether 
there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year 
from the date the financial statements are issued. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. Early 
adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements.

On November 20, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The standard requires 
entities to present all deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) as non-current in a classified balance sheet.  
The standard simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and non-current 
in a classified balance sheet.  The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning 
December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company early adopted the guidance retrospectively, resulting in a $0.3 million 
reclassification of current DTAs to long-term DTAs in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting standard, ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Lessees will need to 
recognize virtually all of their leases on the balance sheet, by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The new guidance 

72

becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  The Company is evaluating 
the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements.

C.  ACQUISITION

On June 23, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Orad Hi-Tech Systems Ltd. (“Orad”), an Israeli company previously 
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Each issued and outstanding share of Orad common stock was canceled and converted 
into the right to receive consideration equal to €5.67  in cash, representing total consideration paid of $66.0 million based on the 
exchange rate on the date of closing, net of estimated cash acquired. As a result of the acquisition, the Company incurred merger 
and integration cost of $5.7 million, which was recorded as general and administrative expenses in the Company’s statement of 
operations. Orad provides 3D real-time graphics, video servers and related asset management solutions. The acquisition adds 
applications to Avid’s Studio Suite which the Company intends to connect to the Avid MediaCentral Platform.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the 
date of acquisition (in thousands). 

Cash

Accounts receivable, net

Inventories

Other current assets

Property and equipment

Identifiable intangible assets

Other assets

Goodwill

Total assets acquired

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Deferred revenue and deposits

Deferred tax liabilities, net

Other long-term liabilities

Total liabilities assumed

Net assets acquired

$

$

7,477

6,625

3,128

1,217

1,338

37,200

3,187

32,643

92,815

(1,395)

(7,769)

(2,714)

(3,554)

(3,939)

(19,371)

73,444

The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $32.6 million, which is not deductible for tax purposes.  The goodwill is 
attributable to expected synergies from combining the operations of Orad with the Company and intangible assets that do not 
qualify for separate recognition, such as an assembled workforce.  The following table presents the identifiable intangible assets 
acquired and their respective weighted average useful lives (dollars in thousands):

Core and completed technology

Customer relationships

Trade name

   Total

Weighted
Average
Life
(Years)

4

4

1

Amount

$

31,200

5,800

200

$

37,200

The estimated fair value of intangible assets was determined using the excess earnings method for technology, replacement cost 
method for customer relationships and relief from royalty method for trade name.  

73

Pro Forma Financial Information for Acquisition of Orad (in thousands except per share data, unaudited)

The results of operations of Orad have been included in the results of operations of the Company since June 23, 2015, the date of 
acquisition. The net revenues and net loss for Orad, which are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations 
from the date of acquisition, were $13.1 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015.  The 
following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the Company’s results of operations for the years ended 
December 31, 2015 and 2014 as if the acquisition of Orad had occurred at the beginning of 2014.  The pro forma financial 
information for the combined entities has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not indicative of what actual results 
would have been if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of fiscal 2014, or of future results.

Net revenues

Net (loss) income

Net (loss) income per share:

Basic

Diluted

D.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

520,918

$

570,766

(2,300)

8,638

(0.06)
(0.06)

$

$

0.22

0.22

$

$

$

Net income per common share is presented for both basic income per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted income per share (“Diluted 
EPS”). Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is based on 
the weighted-average number of common shares and common shares equivalents outstanding during the period.

The potential common shares that were considered anti-dilutive securities were excluded from the diluted earnings per share 
calculations for the relevant periods either because the sum of the exercise price per share and the unrecognized compensation cost per 
share was greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock for the relevant period, or because they were 
considered contingently issuable. The contingently issuable potential common shares result from certain stock options and restricted 
stock units granted to the Company’s employees that vest based on performance conditions, market conditions, or a combination of 
performance or market conditions. 

The following table sets forth (in thousands) potential common shares that were considered anti-dilutive securities.

Options

Non-vested restricted stock units

Anti-dilutive potential common shares

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

1,901

470

2,371

4,748

118

4,866

5,193

352

5,545

On June 15, 2015, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 
(the “Notes”).  The Notes are convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of 
common stock, at the Company’s election, based on an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment.  In connection with the offering 
of the Notes, the Company entered into a capped call transaction with a third party (the “Capped Call”) (see Note R, Long-Term Debt 
and Credit Agreement). The Company uses the treasury stock method in computing the dilutive impact of the Notes. The Notes are 
convertible into shares but the Company’s stock price was less than the conversion price at December 31, 2015, and therefore, the 
Notes are excluded from diluted income per share. The Capped Call is not reflected in diluted net income per share as it will always be 
anti-dilutive. 

74

 
E.  FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

As a hedge against the foreign exchange exposure of certain forecasted receivables, payables and cash balances of foreign 
subsidiaries, the Company enters into short-term foreign currency forward contracts, which typically mature within 30 days of 
execution.  The changes in fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts are intended to offset foreign currency exchange risk 
on cash flows associated with net monetary assets, and are recorded as gains or losses in the Company’s statement of operations in the 
period of change.  The Company had no outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at December 31, 2015.  The Company had 
foreign currency forward contracts outstanding with an aggregate notional value of $25.4 million at December, 2014 as hedges against 
such forecasted foreign-currency-denominated receivables, payables and cash balances.

The Company may also enter into short-term foreign currency spot and forward contracts as a hedge against the foreign currency 
exchange risk associated with certain of its net monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies.  The Company had no outstanding 
short-term foreign currency spot contracts at December 31, 2015.  The Company had foreign currency contracts outstanding with an 
aggregate notional value of $2.8 million at December 31, 2014.  Because these contracts are not accounted for as hedges, the changes 
in fair value of these foreign currency contracts are recorded as gains or losses in the Company’s statement of operations.

The Company assumed from Orad outstanding foreign currency spot contracts and call and put options to hedge cash flow risks 
associated with foreign exchange rates. The aggregate notional value of the outstanding contracts and options was $1.0 million at 
December 31, 2015.

The following table sets forth the balance sheet classification and fair values of the Company’s foreign currency contracts (in 
thousands):

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Under
Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 815

Balance Sheet Classification

Fair Value at
December 31, 2015

Fair Value at
December 31, 2014

Financial liabilities:

Foreign currency contracts

Accrued expenses and
other current liabilities

$14

$518

The following table sets forth the net foreign exchange gains (losses) recorded as marketing and selling expenses in the Company’s 
statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 that resulted from foreign currency forward 
contracts, foreign currency denominated transactions, and the revaluation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (in 
thousands): 

Net foreign exchange gain (loss) recorded in marketing and selling expenses

Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2013
2014
$(187)
$(908)

2015
$1,288

See Note F for additional information on the fair value measurements for all financial assets and liabilities, including derivative assets 
and derivative liabilities, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

F.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including foreign-currency contracts 
and deferred compensation investments.  At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities were 
classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  Assets valued using quoted market prices in active markets and 
classified as Level 1 are certain deferred compensation investments, primarily money market and mutual funds.  Assets and liabilities 
valued based on other observable inputs and classified as Level 2 are foreign currency contracts and certain deferred compensation 
investments, primarily insurance contracts.

75

 
 
 
  
The following tables summarize the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a 
recurring basis (in thousands):

Financial Assets:

Deferred compensation investments (1)

Financial Liabilities:

Foreign currency contracts

Financial Assets:

Deferred compensation investments

Financial Liabilities:

Foreign currency contracts

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2015

$

$

3,617

$

572

$

3,045

$

14

$

— $

14

$

—

—

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2014

$

$

1,859

$

1,245

$

614

$

518

$

— $

518

$

—

—

(1) Deferred compensation investments at December 31, 2015 included $2.4 million of funds that Orad invested in insurance contracts 
for the post-employment benefits that Orad employees earned. 

Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value

The carrying amounts of the Company’s other financial assets and liabilities including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and 
accrued liabilities approximate their respective fair values because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and 
their expected realization or settlement.  At December 31, 2015, the net carrying amount of the Notes is $96.0 million, and the fair 
value of the Notes is approximately $85.5 million based on open market trading activity, which constitutes a Level 1 input in the fair 
value hierarchy. 

G.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable, net of allowances, consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Accounts receivable

Less:

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance for sales returns and rebates

Total

December 31,

2015

2014

68,033

$

65,347

(643)
(8,583)
58,807

$

(1,182)

(9,510)

54,655

$

$

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
H.  INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Raw materials

Work in process

Finished goods

Total

December 31,

2015

2014

$

$

9,594

$

256

38,223

48,073

$

9,942

248

37,811

48,001

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, finished goods inventory included $5.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively, associated with 
products shipped to customers or deferred labor costs for arrangements where revenue recognition had not yet commenced. 

I.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Computer and video equipment and software

Manufacturing tooling and testbeds

Office equipment

Furniture, fixtures and other

Leasehold improvements

Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Total

December 31,

2015

2014

$

116,751

$

113,220

3,044

4,942

9,621

33,744

168,102

132,621

$

35,481

$

2,327

4,664

8,659

29,431

158,301

126,165

32,136

The Company capitalizes certain development costs incurred in connection with its internal use software.  For the year ended 
December 31, 2015, the Company capitalized $5.1 million of contract labor and internal labor costs related to internal use software, 
and recorded the capitalized costs in Computer and video equipment and software.  There were $3.4 million of contract labor and 
internal labor costs capitalized for the year ended December 31, 2014, and no costs capitalized for the year ended December 31, 2013. 
Internal use software is amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life of 3 years, and the Company recorded $1.8 
million and $0.5 million of amortization expense during 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $13.7 million, $16.1 million and $17.8 million for the 
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

77

 
J. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Intangible Assets

Amortizing identifiable intangible assets related to the Company’s acquisitions or capitalized costs of internally developed or 
externally purchased software that form the basis for the Company’s products consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 
2014 (in thousands):

2015

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross

December 31,

Net

Gross

2014

Accumulated
Amortization

Completed technologies and patents

$

58,032

$

Customer relationships

Trade names

Capitalized software costs

Total

54,656

1,346

4,911

$ 118,945

$

(30,902) $
(48,767)
(1,146)
(4,911)
(85,726) $

27,130

$

51,950

$

5,889

200

—

49,216

5,936

5,043

33,219

$ 112,145

$

(51,950) $
(46,771)
(5,936)
(5,043)
(109,700) $

Net

—

2,445

—

—

2,445

During 2015, the Company wrote off fully amortized technologies and trade names with gross book values of $24.3 million and $4.8 
million, respectively.  Those technologies and trade names were no longer in use.  Amortization expense related to intangible assets in 
the aggregate was $6.4 million, $1.8 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  
The Company expects amortization of intangible assets to be approximately $10.3 million in 2016, $9.3 million in 2017, $9.3 million 
in 2018 and $4.3 million in 2019.

Goodwill

The acquisition of Orad resulted in goodwill of $32.6 million in 2015. As of October 31, 2015, the Company’s goodwill impairment 
measurement date, the Company concluded that it was not more likely than not that a goodwill impairment existed. 

K.  OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Deferred rent

Accrued restructuring

Deferred compensation

Total

December 31,

2015

2014

6,755

$

647

7,309

8,236

1,334

4,703

14,711

$

14,273

$

$

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
L.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases its office space and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. The future minimum lease 
commitments under these non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): 

Year Ending December 31,
2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

$

$

17,825

14,135

11,116

11,042

7,200

6,713

68,031

Included in the operating lease commitments above are obligations under leases for which the Company has vacated the underlying 
facilities as part of various restructuring plans. These leases expire at various dates through 2021 and represent an aggregate obligation 
of $7.0 million through 2021. The Company has restructuring accruals of $1.7 million at December 31, 2015, which represents the 
difference between this aggregate future obligation and future sublease income under actual or estimated potential sublease 
agreements, on a net present value basis, as well as other facilities-related obligations. The Company received $0.6 million and $0.7 
million of sublease income during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, but none during the year ended 
December 31, 2013.

The Company’s leases for corporate office space in Burlington, Massachusetts, which expire in May 2020, contain renewal options to 
extend the respective terms of each lease for up to two additional five-year periods. 

The accompanying consolidated results of operations reflect rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases.  Total 
expense under operating leases was $14.0 million, $15.0 million and $16.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 
2013, respectively.  

Other Commitments

The Company has letters of credit that are used as security deposits in connection with the Company’s leased Burlington, 
Massachusetts office space and other leases.  In the event of default on the underlying leases, the landlords would, at December 31, 
2015, be eligible to draw against the letters of credit to a maximum of $2.2 million in the aggregate.  The letters of credit are subject to 
aggregate reductions provided the Company is not in default under the underlying leases and meets certain financial performance 
conditions.  In no case will the letters of credit amounts for the Burlington leases be reduced to below $1.2 million in the aggregate 
throughout the lease periods, all of which extend to May 2020.

The Company also has additional letters of credit totaling $0.4 million that support its ongoing operations.  These letters of credit have 
various terms and expire during 2016 and beyond, while some of the letters of credit may automatically renew based on the terms of 
the underlying agreements.

Purchase Commitments and Sole-Source Suppliers

At December 31, 2015, the Company had entered into purchase commitments for certain inventory and other goods and services used 
in its normal operations.  The purchase commitments covered by these agreements are generally for a period of less than one year and 
in the aggregate total $39.5 million.

The Company depends on sole-source suppliers for certain key hardware components of its products.  Although the Company has 
procedures in place to mitigate the risks associated with its sole-sourced suppliers, the Company cannot be certain that it will be able 
to obtain sole-sourced components or finished goods from alternative suppliers or that it will be able to do so on commercially 
reasonable terms without a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.  The Company procures product 
components and builds inventory based on forecasts of product life cycle and customer demand.  If the Company is unable to provide 

79

 
accurate forecasts or manage inventory levels in response to shifts in customer demand, the Company may have insufficient, excess or 
obsolete product inventory.

Contingencies

In March 2013 and May 2013, two purported securities class action lawsuits were filed against the Company and certain of the Company’s 
former executive officers seeking unspecified damages in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  In July 2013, the two 
cases were consolidated and the original plaintiffs agreed to act as co-plaintiffs in the consolidated case.  In September 2013, the co-
plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint on behalf of those who purchased the Company’s common stock between October 23, 
2008 and March 20, 2013.  The consolidated amended complaint, which named the Company, certain of the Company’s current and 
former executive officers and the Company’s former independent accounting firm as defendants, purported to state a claim for violation 
of federal securities laws as a result of alleged violations of the federal securities laws pursuant to Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  In October 2013, the Company filed a motion to 
dismiss the consolidated amended complaint, resulting in the dismissal of some of the claims, and the dismissal of Mr. Hernandez and 
one of the two plaintiffs from the case.  On December 31, 2014, the parties reached an agreement to settle the case. The agreement called 
for Avid to cause payment of $2.5 million in respect of the settlement.  The settlement was approved and the case was dismissed on May 
12, 2015. 

In April and May 2013, the Company received a document preservation request and inquiry from the SEC Division of Enforcement 
and a federal grand jury subpoena from the Department of Justice requesting certain documents, including in particular documents 
related to the Company’s disclosures regarding the Company’s accounting review and revenue transactions.  On August 13, 2015, the 
Company received a letter from the SEC Division of Enforcement stating that the investigation had been completed and that the 
Division of Enforcement did not intend to recommend any enforcement action against the Company by the SEC.  On October 20, 
2015, the Company was notified by the Department of Justice that the Department of Justice intends to close its inquiry.

The Company’s industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and litigation regarding 
patent and other intellectual property rights.  In addition to the legal proceedings described above, the Company is involved in legal 
proceedings from time to time arising from the normal course of business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of 
intellectual property rights and contractual, commercial, employee relations, product or service performance, or other matters.  The 
Company does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of 
operations.  However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company is subject to significant uncertainty.  
Therefore, the Company’s financial position or results of operations may be negatively affected by the unfavorable resolution of one 
or more of these proceedings for the period in which a matter is resolved.  The Company’s results could be materially adversely 
affected if the Company is accused of, or found to be, infringing third parties’ intellectual property rights.

The Company considers all claims on a quarterly basis and based on known facts assesses whether potential losses are considered 
reasonably possible, probable and estimable.  Based upon this assessment, the Company then evaluates disclosure requirements and 
whether to accrue for such claims in its consolidated financial statements.

The Company records a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss 
can be reasonably estimated. These provisions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, 
settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. 

At December 31, 2015 and as of the date of filing of these consolidated financial statements, the Company believes that, other than as 
set forth in this note, no provision for liability nor disclosure is required related to any claims because: (a) there is no reasonable 
possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized (if any) may be incurred with respect to such claim; (b) a reasonably 
possible loss or range of loss cannot be estimated; or (c) such estimate is immaterial.

Additionally, the Company provides indemnification to certain customers for losses incurred in connection with intellectual property 
infringement claims brought by third parties with respect to the Company’s products.  These indemnification provisions generally 
offer perpetual coverage for infringement claims based upon the products covered by the agreement and the maximum potential 
amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is theoretically unlimited.  
To date, the Company has not incurred material costs related to these indemnification provisions; accordingly, the Company believes 
the estimated fair value of these indemnification provisions is immaterial.  Further, certain of the Company’s arrangements with 
customers include clauses whereby the Company may be subject to penalties for failure to meet certain performance obligations; 
however, the Company has not recorded any related material penalties to date.

80

The Company provides warranties on externally sourced and internally developed hardware.  For internally developed hardware and 
in cases where the warranty granted to customers for externally sourced hardware is greater than that provided by the manufacturer, 
the Company records an accrual for the related liability based on historical trends and actual material and labor costs.  The following 
table sets forth the activity in the product warranty accrual account for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in 
thousands):

Accrual balance at January 1, 2013

Accruals for product warranties

Cost of warranty claims

Accrual balance at December 31, 2013

Accruals for product warranties

Cost of warranty claims

Accrual balance at December 31, 2014

Accruals for product warranties

Cost of warranty claims

Accrual balance at December 31, 2015

M.   CAPITAL STOCK

Preferred Stock

$

$

4,476

5,346

(6,321)

3,501

3,985

(4,694)

2,792

3,025

(3,583)

2,234

The Company has authorized up to one million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, for issuance.  Each series of 
preferred stock shall have such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion 
rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as may be determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”).

Common Stock Repurchases

On June 8, 2015, the Company’s Board approved a stock repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $9.0 million of 
common stock in open market or other transactions from time to time until September 6, 2015.  The Company completed the stock 
repurchase in July 2015.  In aggregate, the Company purchased 586,825 shares for a total purchase price of $8.0 million.  The 
repurchased shares are held in treasury. 

Under some of the Company’s equity compensation plans, employees have the option or may be required to satisfy minimum 
withholding tax obligations by tendering to the Company a portion of the common stock received under the award. 

Stock Incentive Plans

In November 2014, the Company registered an aggregate of 3,750,000 of its shares of $0.01 par value per share common stock,  
which have been authorized and reserved for issuance under the Avid Technology, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The 
Plan was originally adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on September 14, 2014 and approved by the Company’s 
stockholders on October 29, 2014. In connection with the approval of the Plan the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock 
Incentive Plan has been closed; no additional awards may be granted under that Plan.  Shares available for issuance under the 
Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan totaled 2,213,283 at December 31, 2015.

Under the Plan, the Company may grant stock awards or options to purchase the Company’s common stock to employees, officers, 
directors and consultants. The exercise price for options generally must be no less than market price on the date of grant. Awards may 
be performance-based where vesting or exercisability is conditioned on achieving performance objectives, time-based or a 
combination of both.  Current option grants become exercisable over various periods, typically three to four years for employees and 
one year for non-employee directors, and have a maximum term of seven to ten years.  Restricted stock and restricted stock unit 
awards with time-based vesting typically vest over three to four years for employees and one year for non-employee directors. 

In November 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors modified certain market and performance based options 
and restricted stock units held by seven employees of the Company that were originally granted between 2009 and 2013. The 

81

modifications included (i) a conversion of vesting conditions from market and performance bases to a four year service period, 
including providing credit for service already rendered prior to the modification and (ii) an acceleration clause that allows vesting of 
between 50% and 100% of unvested awards if certain 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets were achieved. In total, options to purchase 
933,750 shares and 31,250 restricted stock units were modified, which resulted in incremental compensation expense of $4.3 million, 
$2.3 million of which was recognized upon modification, $1.5 million of which was recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 
2014 upon achieving specific 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets and the remaining $0.5 million was recognized in 2015. 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants with time-based vesting.   
The Black-Scholes model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair value.  The assumed dividend yield of zero 
is based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and has no present expectation to pay cash dividends and the 
Company’s current Financing Agreement precludes the Company from paying dividends. The expected volatility is now based on 
actual historic stock volatility for periods equivalent to the expected term of the award.  The assumed risk-free interest rate is the U.S. 
Treasury security rate with a term equal to the expected life of the option.  The assumed expected life is based on company-specific 
historical experience considering the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of aggregate exercises.

The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards with time-based vesting is based on the intrinsic value of the awards 
at the date of grant, as the awards have a purchase price of $0.01 per share. 

The Company also issues stock option grants or restricted stock unit awards with vesting based on market conditions, specifically the 
Company’s stock price and performance conditions, generally using adjusted EBITDA. The fair values and derived service periods for 
all grants that include vesting based on market conditions are estimated using the Monte Carlo valuation method.  For stock option 
grants that include vesting based on performance conditions, the fair values are estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing 
model.  For restricted stock unit awards that include vesting based on performance conditions, the fair values are estimated based on 
the intrinsic values of the awards at the date of grant, as the awards have a purchase price of $0.01 per share.  

Information with respect to options granted under all stock option plans for the year ended December 31, 2015 was as follows: 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2015

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited or canceled

Options outstanding at December 31, 2015

Options vested at December 31, 2015 or expected to vest

Options exercisable at December 31, 2015

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)

Total Shares

5,564,111

$11.20

4,000
(421,961)
(800,816)
4,345,334

4,289,778

3,622,761

$9.10

$9.55

$14.84

$10.68

$10.72

$11.28

4.05

4.03

3.82

$—

$—

$—

The following table sets forth the weighted-average key assumptions and fair value results for stock options granted during the years 
ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: 

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Expected life (in years)

Weighted-average fair value of options granted (per share)

Year Ended December 31,
2014
0.00%

1.24%

50.3%

4.16

$3.03

2013
0.00%

0.87%

50.1%

4.68

$3.33

2015
0.00%

1.07%

52.0%

4.48

$3.91

The cash received from the stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $5.0 million. During the years 
ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the cash received from and the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was not 
significant.

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information with respect to non-vested restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2015 was as follows:

Non-vested at January 1, 2015

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2015

Expected to vest

Non-Vested Restricted Stock Units

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)

Total Shares

811,880

1,264,116
(421,314)
(388,674)
1,266,008

$10.01

$10.31

$10.04

$10.90

$9.97

820,741

$11.14

0.99

0.94

$9,216

$5,975

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 
was $10.31, $10.19 and $7.84, respectively.  The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014, and 2013 was $4.2 million, $2.5 million, and $1.1 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s Second Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) offers the Company’s shares for 
purchase at a price equal to 85% of the closing price on the applicable offering period termination date.  Shares issued under the ESPP 
are considered compensatory.  Accordingly, the Company is required to measure fair value and record compensation expense for share 
purchase rights granted under the ESPP.  The Company last issued shares under the ESPP on October 31, 2015. In July 2015 the Board 
of Directors approved an amendment to the plan to change the subscription period from three to six months and accordingly to adjust 
the payroll cap to $5,000 per plan period. A total of 343,613 shares remained available for issuance under the ESPP at December 31, 
2015.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of shares issued under the ESPP.  The Black-
Scholes model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values.  The following table sets forth the weighted-
average key assumptions and fair value results for shares issued under the ESPP during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 
2013:

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility
Expected life (in years)

Weighted-average fair value of shares issued (per share)

Year Ended December 31,
2014
0.00%

0.09%

35.0%
0.17

$2.02

2013
0.00%

0.09%

51.0%
0.25

$1.00

2015
0.00%

0.03%

37.0%
0.24

$2.15

The following table sets forth the quantities and average prices of shares issued under the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014 and 2013:

Shares issued under the ESPP

Average price of shares issued

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015

98,300

—

$10.17

$—

2013

27,936

$6.29

The Company did not realize a material tax benefit from the tax deductions for stock option exercises, vested restricted stock units and 
shares issued under the ESPP during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013.

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company uses the accelerated method of attribution for awards with performance conditions and graded vesting features for 
options granted.  The Company estimates forfeiture rates at the time awards are made based on historical and estimated future turnover 
rates and applies these rates in the calculation of estimated compensation cost.  The estimation of forfeiture rates includes a quarterly 
review of historical turnover rates and an update of the estimated forfeiture rates to be applied to employee classes for the calculation 
of stock-based compensation.  Forfeiture rates for the calculation of stock-based compensation were estimated and applied based on 
three classes, non-employee directors, executive management staff and other employees. The Company’s annualized estimated 
forfeiture rates were 0% for non-employee director awards, 10% for executive management staff and 15% for other employee awards. 
Then-current estimated forfeiture rates are applied quarterly to all outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards, 
which may result in a revised estimate of compensation costs related to these stock-based grants.

Stock-based compensation was included in the following captions in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the 
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively (in thousands): 

Cost of products revenues

Cost of services revenues

Research and development expenses

Marketing and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Total

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

$

199

624

461

1,785

6,445

$

397

279

502

3,658

6,677

$

9,514

$

11,513

$

360

436

582

1,778

3,761

6,917

At December 31, 2015, there was $9.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, before forfeitures, related to non-vested 
stock-based compensation awards granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.  The Company expects this amount 
to be amortized approximately as follows:  $6.0 million in 2016, $3.0 million in 2017 and $0.8 million in 2018.  At December 31, 
2015, the weighted-average recognition period of the unrecognized compensation cost was approximately one year.

N.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has a Section 401(k) plan that covers substantially all U.S. employees.  The 401(k) plan allows employees to make 
contributions up to a specified percentage of their compensation.  The Company may, upon resolution by the Company’s board of 
directors, make discretionary contributions to the plan.  The Company’s contributions to the plan totaled $2.3 million, $2.2 million 
and $2.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In addition, the Company has various retirement and post-employment plans covering certain international employees.  Certain of the 
plans allow the Company to match employee contributions up to a specified percentage as defined by the plans.  The Company’s 
contributions to these plans totaled $2.2 million, $2.0 million and $1.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Plan”). The Deferred Plan covers senior 
management and members of the Board.  In November 2013, the Board determined to indefinitely suspend the plan, and not offer 
participants the opportunity to participate in the Deferred Plan as of 2014. The benefits payable under the Deferred Plan represent an 
unfunded and unsecured contractual obligation of the Company to pay the value of the deferred compensation in the future, adjusted 
to reflect deemed investment performance. Payouts are generally made upon termination of employment with the Company.  The 
assets of the deferred plan, as well as the corresponding obligations, were approximately $0.6 million and $1.2 million at 
December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were recorded in “other current assets” and “accrued compensation and benefits” at 
those dates.  

84

In connection with the acquisition of a business in 2010, the Company assumed the assets and liabilities of a deferred compensation 
arrangement for a single individual in Germany.  The arrangement represents a contractual obligation of the Company to pay a fixed 
euro amount for a period specified in the contract.  In connection with the acquisition of Orad, the Company assumed the assets and 
liabilities of a deferred compensation arrangement for employees in Israel.  At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s assets 
and liabilities related to the arrangements consisted of assets recorded in “other long-term assets” of $3.0 million at December 31, 
2015 and $0.6 million at December 31, 2014, representing the value of related insurance contracts and investments, and liabilities 
recorded as “long-term liabilities” of $7.3 million at December 31, 2015 and $4.7 million at December 31, 2014, respectively, 
representing the fair value of the estimated benefits to be paid under the arrangements.

O.  INCOME TAXES

Income from before income taxes and the components of the income tax provision consisted of the following for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

(23,977) $
24,542

565

$

(6,864) $
23,780

16,916

$

(16,414)
40,506

24,092

115

$

14

$

3
(180)
3,734

3,672

(6,493)
906
(5,587)
(1,915) $

83
(180)
2,217

2,134

—

54

54

(104)

114

(170)

2,369

2,209

—

730

730

2,188

$

2,939

Income from operations before income taxes:

United States
Foreign

Total income from operations before income taxes

(Benefit) provision for income taxes:

Current tax expense (benefit):

Federal

State

Foreign benefit of net operating losses

Other foreign

Total current tax expense

Deferred tax (benefit) expense:

Federal benefit related to Note issuance

Other foreign

Total deferred tax (benefit) expense

Total (benefit) provision for income taxes

$

$

$

$

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:

Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards

Allowances for bad debts

Difference in accounting for:

Revenues

Costs and expenses

Inventories

Acquired intangible assets

Gross deferred tax assets

Valuation allowance

Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance

Deferred tax liabilities:

Difference in accounting for:

Costs and expenses

Acquired intangible assets

Basis difference convertible notes

Gross deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets

Recorded as:

Long-term deferred tax assets, net

Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net

Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets

December 31,

2015

2014

$

318,471

$

290,523

372

231

54,475

34,116

7,576

9,799

424,809
(406,123)
18,686

(5,654)
(8,554)
(5,910)
(20,118)
(1,432) $

2,011
(3,443)
(1,432) $

$

$

63,916

29,004

7,004

13,667

404,345

(398,733)

5,612

(3,540)

—

—

(3,540)

2,072

2,208

(136)

2,072

On January 1, 2015 the Company adopted ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The standard requires 
entities to present DTAs and DTLs as non-current in the classified balance sheet.  The standard simplifies the current guidance, which 
requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and non-current in a classified balance sheet.  The Company early 
adopted the guidance to simplify its reporting for the current year. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 was 
retrospectively adjusted, resulting in a $0.3 million reclassification of current DTAs to long-term DTAs.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effects of the tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards and the temporary 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax 
purposes.  The ultimate realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income 
in the applicable tax jurisdictions.  Based on the magnitude of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the level of 
historical U.S. tax losses, management has determined that the uncertainty regarding the realization of these assets warranted a 
significant valuation allowance at December 31, 2015 and 2014. 

For U.S. federal and state income tax purposes at December 31, 2015, the Company had tax credit carryforwards of $53.1 million, 
which will expire between 2016 and 2035, and net operating loss carryforwards of $745.6 million, which will expire between 2019 
and 2035.  The federal net operating loss and tax credit amounts are subject to annual limitations under Section 382 change of 
ownership rules of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company completed an assessment at March 31, 2015 regarding whether there 
may have been a Section 382 ownership change and concluded that it is more likely than not that none of the Company’s net operating 
loss and tax credit amounts are subject to any Section 382 limitation. 

Additionally, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $33.8 million and tax credit carryforwards of $3.7 million 
that begin to expire in 2029.  The Company has determined there is uncertainty regarding the realization of a portion of these assets 
and has recorded a valuation allowance against $23.1 million of net operating losses and $3.7 million of tax credits at December 31, 
2015.

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s assessment of the valuation allowance on the U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets could change in the future based on 
its levels of pre-tax income and other tax related adjustments.  Removal of the valuation allowance in whole or in part would result in 
a non-cash reduction in income tax expense during the period of removal.

Excluded from the above deferred tax schedule at December 31, 2015 are tax assets totaling $33.7 million resulting from the exercise 
of employee stock options, because recognition of these assets will occur upon utilization of these deferred tax assets to reduce taxes 
payable and will result in a credit to additional paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity rather than the provision for income taxes.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the Company’s income tax provision (benefit) to the statutory U.S. federal tax 
amount for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

Statutory tax

Tax credits

Foreign operations

Non-deductible expenses and other

Federal benefit related to Note issuance
Increase in valuation allowance

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

$

$

198
(2,972)
(4,055)
2,303
(6,493)
9,104
(1,915) $

$

5,921
(1,589)
(6,047)
771

—
3,132

2,188

$

8,432

(1,482)

(10,542)

516

—
6,015

2,939

The cumulative amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which is intended to be indefinitely reinvested and for which 
U.S. income taxes have not been provided, totaled $38.5 million at December 31, 2015.  The Company does not have any plans to 
repatriate these earnings because the underlying cash will be used to fund the ongoing operations of the foreign subsidiaries.  The 
additional taxes that might be payable upon repatriation of foreign earnings are not significant. 

A tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained before being recognized in the financial statements.  It also requires the 
accrual of interest and penalties as applicable on unrecognized tax positions.  The Company is disclosing unrecognized tax benefits 
primarily related to the foreign tax implications arising from the changes in revenue recognition that arose in periods prior to 2012.  
The unrecognized tax benefits did not have an impact on the effective tax rate because the Company maintains a full valuation 
allowance on the related loss carryforwards.  At December 31, 2013, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued 
interest and penalties totaled $24.7 million, of which $0.8 million would affect the Company’s income tax provision and effective tax 
rate if recognized.  At December 31, 2014, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties totaled 
$25.8 million, of which $0.8 million would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.  At December 31, 2015, the 
Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties totaled $26.0 million, of which $3.2 million would 
affect the Company’s income tax provision and effective tax rate if recognized. 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the impact 
of interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2013

Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Decreases related to the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013

Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014

Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015

$

22,629

2,205

(105)

24,729

1,118

25,847

148

$

25,995

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  Accrued interest and 
penalties related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were not material.

87

 
The tax years 2008 through 2015 remain open to examination by taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company 
operates.  The most significant operating jurisdictions include: the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Israel, Japan, and 
the United Kingdom.

P.  RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND ACCRUALS

2016 Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company commenced restructuring actions that are part of a broad restructuring plan encompassing a 
series of measures intended to allow the Company to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These 
include reductions in the Company’s workforce, facilities consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, 
and reducing other third-party services costs. In connection with this restructuring plan, the Company expects to incur incremental 
cash expenditures of approximately $25 million relating to termination benefits, facility costs, employee overlap expenses and related 
actions. The Company expects approximately $14 million of the expenditures will be recorded as restructuring expenses in the 
quarters ending December 31, 2015 through June 30, 2017. The Company anticipates that the restructuring plan will be substantially 
complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017 and will result in annualized costs savings of appropriately $68 million.

The restructuring charges of $5.8 million recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, represented an initial elimination of 
111 positions worldwide during January and February of 2016.

2013 Restructuring Actions

In June 2013, the Company’s leadership evaluated the marketing and selling teams and, in an effort to better align sales resources with 
the Company’s strategic goals and enhance its global account team approach, eliminated 31 positions.  As a result, the Company 
recognized related restructuring costs of $1.7 million in 2013.

During November and December 2013, the Company’s executive management team identified opportunities to lower costs in the 
supply and hardware technology group by eliminating 29 positions in hardware shared services and 15 positions in the supply and 
technology group.  Additionally, an engineering reorganization at the same time resulted in the elimination of four engineering 
positions.  As a result, the Company recognized $1.7 million of related restructuring costs in 2013.

All of the restructuring costs related to 2013 restructuring actions were fully paid as of December 31, 2015, no further actions are 
anticipated.

2012 Restructuring Plan

In June 2012, the Company committed to a series of strategic actions (the “2012 Plan”) to focus on its Broadcast and Media market 
and Video and Audio Post and Professional market and to drive improved operating performance.  These actions included the 
divestiture of certain of the Company’s consumer-focused product lines, a rationalization of the business operations and a reduction in 
force.  Actions under the plan included the elimination of approximately 280 positions in June 2012, the abandonment of one of the 
Company’s facilities in Burlington, Massachusetts and the partial abandonment of facilities in Mountain View and Daly City, 
California, in September 2012, and the partial abandonment of the facility in Pinewood, UK, in December 2012.  During 2012, the 
Company recorded restructuring charges of $13.9 million related to severance costs and $8.6 million for the closure or partial closure 
of facilities, which included non-cash amounts of $1.4 million for fixed asset write-offs and $1.0 million for deferred rent liability 
write-offs during 2012. 

During 2013, the Company recorded $0.1 million in additional severance costs and revisions totaling $1.8 million resulting from 
sublease assumption changes and other costs related to the abandoned facilities under the 2012 Plan.  The Company substantially 
completed all actions under the 2012 Plan prior to December 31, 2012.

In June 2014, the Company signed an agreement for surrender of the partially abandoned property at Pinewood, UK.  As a result, the 
Company recorded a recovery of $0.2 million, as the Company was released from all obligations related to the surrendered property.

In June 2015, the Company recorded a revision of restructuring costs of  $0.5 million resulting from an update to the sublease 
assumption related to the Company’s Mountain View, California facility that was partially abandoned in 2012.

88

No further actions are anticipated under the 2012 restructuring plans.

Prior Years’ Restructuring Plans

The remaining accrual balance of $0.3 million at December 31, 2015 was related to the closure of part of the Company’s Dublin, 
Ireland facility under the 2008 Plan.  No further actions are anticipated under the prior years’ restructuring plans.

Restructuring Summary

The following table sets forth the activity in the restructuring accruals for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in 
thousands): 

Employee-
Related

Facilities-
Related
& Other

Total

Accrual balance at January 1, 2013

$

$

11,433

$

15,731

New restructuring charges – operating expenses

Revisions of estimated liabilities

Accretion

Cash payments

Foreign exchange impact on ending balance

Accrual balance at December 31, 2013

New restructuring charges – operating expenses

Revisions of estimated liabilities

Accretion

Cash payments

Foreign exchange impact on ending balance

Accrual balance at December 31, 2014

New restructuring charges – operating expenses

Revisions of estimated liabilities

Accretion

Cash payments

Foreign exchange impact on ending balance

Accrual balance at December 31, 2015

4,298

3,539

50

—
(5,469)
(19)
2,399

—

—

—
(2,340)
(1)
58

5,766

—

—
(315)
—

$

5,509

$

—

1,781

612
(7,736)
12

6,102

—
(165)
565
(4,172)
(45)
2,285

—

539

226
(1,301)
(78)
1,671

$

3,539

1,831

612

(13,205)

(7)

8,501

—

(165)

565

(6,512)

(46)

2,343

5,766

539

226

(1,616)

(78)

7,180

The employee-related accruals at December 31, 2015 and 2014 represent severance costs to former employees that will be paid out 
within twelve months, and are, therefore, included in the caption “accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the Company’s 
consolidated balance sheets.

The facilities-related and other accruals at December 31, 2015 and 2014 represent contractual lease payments, net of estimated 
sublease income, on space vacated as part of the Company’s restructuring actions.  The leases, and payments against the amounts 
accrued, extend through 2021 unless the Company is able to negotiate earlier terminations.  Of the total facilities-related accruals, $1.0 
million was included in the caption “accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and $0.6 million was included in the caption 
“other long-term liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015.  At December 31, 2014, $1.0 million 
was included in the caption “accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and $1.3 million was included in the caption “other long-
term liabilities.” 

89

 
Q.  PRODUCT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company provides digital media content-creation, management and distribution products and solutions for film, video, audio and 
broadcast professionals, as well as artists and musicians, which the Company classifies as two types, video and audio.  The Company 
also classifies all its maintenance, professional services and training revenues as services revenues.  Operating segments are defined as 
components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating 
decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  The Company’s evaluation of the discrete 
financial information that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision makers determined that in 2015, 2014 and 2013 the 
Company had only one operating segment.  Specifically, the Company does not internally measure profitability based upon video, 
audio, or service revenue.

The Company’s video products and solutions are designed to improve the productivity of video and film editors and broadcasters by 
enabling them to edit video, film and sound; manage media assets; and automate workflows.  Professional video creative software and 
hardware products include the Media Composer product line used to edit film, television programmings, news broadcasts, 
commercials and other video content.  Video products also include Avid ISIS shared storage systems and Avid Interplay asset 
management solutions that provide complete network, storage and database solutions to enable users to simultaneously share and 
manage media assets throughout a project or organization. 

The Company’s audio products and solutions include digital audio software and workstation solutions, control surfaces, live sound 
systems and notation software that provide music creation; audio recording, editing, and mixing; and live performance solutions.  
Audio products include Pro Tools digital audio software and workstation solutions to facilitate the audio production process, including 
music and sound creation, recording, editing, signal processing, integrated surround mixing and mastering, and reference video 
playback.  Audio products also include a range of complementary control surfaces and consoles, including the System 5 and System 6 
modular consoles, as well as the VENUE live-sound systems and Sibelius-branded notation software.

The Company’s services revenues are primarily derived from the sale of maintenance contracts and professional service and the 
recognition of revenues for Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  The Company provides online and telephone support and access to 
software upgrades for customers whose products are under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract.  The Company’s 
professional services team provides installation, integration, planning, consulting and training services. 

The following is a summary of the Company’s revenues by type for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in 
thousands):

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

201,559

$

233,464

$

134,812

336,371

169,224

145,163

378,627

151,624

$

505,595

$

530,251

$

243,173

152,358

395,531

167,881

563,412

The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues from by geographic region for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 
2013 (in thousands):

Revenues:

United States

Other Americas

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific

Total net revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

185,109

$

193,060

$

218,154

37,081

206,192

77,213

45,342

217,767

74,082

43,131

214,441

87,686

$

505,595

$

530,251

$

563,412

90

 
 
 
The following table presents the Company’s long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets, by geography at December 31, 2015 and 
2014 (in thousands):

Long-lived assets:

United States

Other countries

Total long-lived assets

R.  LONG TERM DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENT

2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020

December 31,

2015

2014

$

$

30,684

11,920

42,604

$

$

30,465

3,945

34,410

On June 15, 2015, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 
(the “Notes”) in an offering conducted in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The net proceeds from the 
offering were $120.3 million after deducting the offering expenses. 

The Notes pay interest semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 
2.00% and mature on June 15, 2020 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date.  
Additional interest may be payable upon the occurrence of certain event of default relating to the Company’s failure to deliver certain 
documents or reports to the Trustee, the Company’s failure to timely file any document or report required pursuant to Section 13 or 15
(d) of the Exchange Act or if the Notes are not freely tradable as of one year after the last date of original issuance of the Notes.  The 
Notes are convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the 
Company’s election, based on an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of 45.5840 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 
Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of $21.94 per share.  Prior to December 15, 2019, the Notes are convertible only in 
the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after September 30, 2015, if the last reported sale price of 
the Company’s common stock is greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price for at least 20 trading days during a 
period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter; (2) during the five business day 
period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal 
amount of Notes for each trading day in the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the 
Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions.  
On or after December 15, 2019 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity 
date, holders may convert their Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. The Company may not redeem the Notes 
prior to their maturity, which means that the Company is not required to redeem or retire the Notes periodically.  

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations.  Upon the occurrence of certain specified fundamental changes, the holders may require 
the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes for cash at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being purchased, plus 
any accrued and unpaid interest.

In accounting for the Notes at issuance, the Company allocated proceeds from the Notes into debt and equity components according to 
the accounting standards for convertible debt instruments that may be fully or partially settled in cash upon conversion.  The initial 
carrying amount of the debt component, which approximates its fair value, was estimated by using an interest rate for nonconvertible 
debt, with terms similar to the Notes.  The excess of the principal amount of the Notes over the fair value of the debt component was 
recorded as a debt discount and a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital.  The debt discount is accreted to the carrying 
value of the Notes over their term as interest expense using the interest method.  Upon issuance of the Notes, the Company recorded 
$96.7 million as debt and $28.3 million as additional paid-in capital in stockholders’ equity.  The effective interest rate used to 
estimate the fair value of the debt was 7.66%. The Company recorded $2.9 million debt discount accretion as interest expenses in the 
Company’s statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 
2015 was $4.3 million, reflecting the coupon and accretion of the discount.

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6.5 million as a discrete item for the 
year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of the creation of a deferred tax liability associated with the portion of the Notes that was 
classified within stockholders’ equity.  While GAAP requires the offset of the deferred tax liability to be recorded in additional paid-in 
capital, consistent with the equity portion of the Notes, the creation of the deferred tax liability produced evidence of recoverability of 

91

 
 
deferred tax assets, which resulted in the release of a valuation allowance, totaling $6.5 million, reflected as an income tax benefit in 
the current period. 

The Company incurred transaction costs of $4.7 million relating to the issuance of the Notes. The Company adopted ASU No. 
2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be classified as a reduction in 
the carrying value of the debt. In accounting for these costs, the Company allocated the costs of the offering between debt and equity 
in proportion to the fair value of the debt and equity recognized. The transaction costs allocated to the debt component of 
approximately $3.6 million were recorded as a direct deduction from the face amount of the Notes and are being amortized as interest 
expense over the term of the Notes using the interest method.  The transaction costs allocated to the equity component of 
approximately $1.1 million were recorded as a decrease in additional paid-in capital. 

The net carrying amount of the liability component of the Notes consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Principal amount of Notes

Original debt discount due to:
     Allocation of proceeds to equity
     Allocation of issuance costs to debt

     Accumulated accretion
Net carrying value

Capped Call Transaction

December 31, 2015
125,000
$

(28,299)
(3,641)
2,890
95,950

$

In connection with the offering of the Notes, on June 9, 2015, the Company entered into a capped call derivative transaction with a 
third party (the “Capped Call”).  The Capped Call is expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the common stock and/or 
offset any cash payments the Company may be required to make in excess of the principal amount upon conversion of the Notes in the 
event that the market price per share of the common stock is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call.  The Capped Call has a 
strike price of $21.94 and a cap price of $26.00 and is exercisable by the Company when and if the Notes are converted.  If, upon 
conversion of the Notes, the price of the Company’s common stock is above the strike price of the Capped Call, the counterparty will 
deliver shares of common stock and/or cash with an aggregate value approximately equal to the difference between the price of the 
common stock at the conversion date (as defined, with a maximum price for purposes of this calculation equal to the cap price) and the 
strike price, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock related to the portion of the Capped Call being exercised.  The 
Capped Call expires on June 15, 2020.  The Company paid $10.1 million for the Capped Call and recorded the payment as a decrease 
to additional paid-in capital.

Credit Facilities

On February 26, 2016, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with Cerberus Business 
Finance, LLC, as collateral and administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”). Pursuant to the Financing 
Agreement, the Lenders agreed to provide the Company with (a) a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $100 million (the 
“Term Loan”) and (b) a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) of up to a maximum of $5 million in borrowings outstanding at 
any time. All outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will become due and payable, on the earlier of February 26, 2021 and 
the date that is 30 days prior to June 15, 2020, the scheduled maturity date of the Notes. The Company borrowed the full amount of 
the Term Loan, or $100 million, as of the Closing Date, but did not borrow any amount under the Credit Facility as of the Closing 
Date.

Concurrently with the entry into the Financing Agreement, on February 26, 2016 the Company terminated its existing Credit 
Agreement, dated June 22, 2015, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, KeyBank National Association, as 
Administrative Agent and the other lender parties thereto, and repaid all outstanding borrowings under such agreement. There were no 
penalties paid by the Company in connection with this termination. 

Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Term Loan at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined 
in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.75% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 5.75%, at the option of the 
Company. The Company must also pay to the Lenders, on a monthly basis, an unused line fee at a rate of 0.5% per annum.  The 
Company may prepay all or any portion of the Term Loan prior to its stated maturity, subject to the payment of certain fees based on 

92

the amount repaid. The Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.25 million commencing in June 2016. The Term Loan 
also requires the Company to use excess cash, as defined in the Financing Agreement, to repay outstanding principal. 

The Company granted a security interest on substantially all of their assets to secure the obligations under the Credit Facility and the 
Term Loan. 

The Financing Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, mandatory prepayments, and events of 
default under which the Company’s payment obligations may be accelerated.  The Financing Agreement includes covenants requiring 
the Company to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of (a) consolidated total funded indebtedness to (b) consolidated 
Adjusted EBITDA) of no greater than 4.35:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2016, 5.40:1.00 for the four quarters ending 
September 30, 2016, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2016 and thereafter declining over time from 3.50:1.00 to 
2.50:1.00.  The Financing Agreement also restricts the Company from making capital expenditures in excess of $20,000,000 in any 
fiscal year.  

The Financing Agreement contains restrictive covenants that are customary for an agreement of this kind, including, for example, 
covenants that restrict the Company from incurring additional indebtedness, granting liens, making investments and restricted 
payments, making acquisitions, paying dividends and engaging in transactions with affiliates. 

S.   QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following information has been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that, in the opinion of management, 
include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such information.

(In thousands, except per share data)

2015

2014

Quarter Ended

Net revenues

Cost of revenues

Amortization of intangible assets

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

   Research and development

   Marketing and selling

   General and administrative

   Amortization of intangible assets

   Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

   Total operating expenses

Operating (loss) income

Other expense, net

(Loss) income before income taxes

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

Net (loss) income

Dec. 31

Sept. 30

June 30 Mar. 31

Dec. 31

Sept. 30

June 30 Mar. 31

$138,806

$137,436

$109,767

$119,586

$128,196

$142,429

$124,644

$134,982

54,912

1,950

81,944

24,190

30,091

21,463

786

5,766

82,296

(352)

(1,727)

(2,079)

2,306

47,672

1,950

87,814

25,225

31,564

15,834

786

—

73,409

14,405

(2,519)

11,886

768

43,306

47,492

50,548

52,788

50,420

50,665

163

—

—

—

—

50

66,298

72,094

77,648

89,641

74,224

84,267

23,310

32,811

17,425

408

539

74,493

(8,195)

(1,439)

(9,634)

(5,550)

23,173

28,045

19,387

374

—

70,979

1,115

(723)

392

561

23,212

34,527

22,222

375

—

80,336

(2,688)

(1,620)

(4,308)

22,154

31,410

20,644

373

—

74,581

15,060

22,070

34,297

19,984

398

(165)

76,584

(2,360)

22,954

32,815

18,331

480

—

74,580

9,687

(455)

(357)

(351)

14,605

(2,717)

761

365

622

9,336

440

$ (4,385) $ 11,118

$ (4,084) $

(169) $ (5,069) $ 14,240

$ (3,339) $

8,896

Net (loss) income per share – basic and diluted

$

(0.11) $

0.28

$

(0.10) $

0.00

$

(0.13) $

0.36

$

(0.09) $

0.23

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average common shares outstanding  – diluted

39,439

39,439

39,231

39,750

39,635

39,635

39,387

39,387

39,234

39,234

39,133

39,201

39,119

39,119

39,099

39,122

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 9. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation and supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is 
responsible for our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. 
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be 
disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the 
time periods specified under SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed 
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated 
to our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosure.

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the 
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015. Based on this evaluation, our management 
concluded that as of December 31, 2015 these disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance 
level as a result of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which are described below. As 
discussed below, our internal control over financial reporting is an integral part of our disclosure controls and procedures.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined 
in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the 
supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by 
our board of directors, 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 accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and 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 our assets; 

(2)  Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 

statements in accordance with GAAP, and our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with 
authorizations of our management and directors; and

(3)  Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or 

disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of inherent limitations, no matter how well designed and operated, internal control over financial reporting may not 
prevent or detect misstatements and can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In 
addition, the design of internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that 
management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of our internal control over financial 
reporting under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The objective of this assessment was to determine whether our internal control over 
financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2015. Based on the results of this evaluation, we have concluded that our 
internal control over financial reporting was not effective at December 31, 2015 due to an ineffective control environment, 

94

 
ineffective control activities, ineffective information and communications controls, and ineffective monitoring controls. We 
believe these deficiencies are material weaknesses.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a 
reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited our consolidated financial statements and 
has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, which report is included 
herein.

Material Weakness Discussion and Remediation

In September 2014, we completed a complex restatement of our financial statements, where we corrected errors in revenue 
recognition impacting millions of customer transactions for interim and annual periods from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 
2012.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, we concluded that the circumstances that allowed the errors in the misapplication 
of GAAP in revenue recognition and other financial statement balances to go undetected for an extended period of time, which 
necessitated the restatement of historical financial statements, were indicative of several control deficiencies, including:

•  Risk Assessment - We did not have an effective risk assessment process. From a governance perspective, we historically 
did not have a formal process to identify, update and assess risks, including changes in our business practices, that could 
significantly impact our consolidated financial statements as well as the system of internal control over financial 
reporting.

•  Control Environment - We did not maintain an effective control environment, which is the foundation for the discipline 
and structure necessary for effective internal control over financial reporting, as evidenced by: (i) an insufficient number 
of personnel appropriately qualified to perform control monitoring activities, including the recognition of the risks and 
complexities of our transactions and business operations, (ii) an insufficient number of personnel with an appropriate 
level of GAAP knowledge and experience or ongoing training in the application of GAAP commensurate with our 
financial reporting requirements, which resulted in erroneous judgments regarding the proper application of GAAP, and 
(iii) insufficient corporate involvement to adequately exercise appropriate oversight of accounting judgments and 
estimates.

•  Control Activities - We did not have control activities that were designed and operating effectively, including controls 
over the inputs inherent in the Company’s revenue recognition models. Control activities that were historically in place 
(i) did not always address relevant risks, (ii) were sometimes performed with incomplete information and (iii) were not 
performed on all relevant transactions. In addition, the level of precision of the management review controls was not 
sufficient to identify all potential errors.

• 

Information and Communications - We did not implement appropriate information technology controls related to 
change management and access for certain information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the consolidated 
financial statements and our system of internal control over financial reporting. As a result of the material weaknesses 
identified, there is a possibility that the effectiveness of business process controls, which are dependent on the affected 
information systems or electronic data and financial reports generated from the affected information systems, may be 
adversely affected.

•  Monitoring Activities - We did not maintain effective monitoring of controls related to the financial close and reporting 

process.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we have designed and implemented effective risk assessment controls to remediate the 
deficiencies in our risk assessment process.

With respect to the control environment deficiency, we believe we have made progress in changes to our staffing levels and skills 
in place to (i) identify and address risks and judgmental accounting matters, (ii) ensure appropriate application of GAAP and (iii) 
perform appropriate oversight and monitoring activities.  In light of the magnitude of the restatement and the significant changes 

95

  
to processes experienced in 2015, we do not believe the enhancements in our control environment have been in place for a 
sufficient period of time to allow us to conclude that the control environment is effective as of December 31, 2015.

For the deficiency on control activities, with the assistance of our internal audit department that we have outsourced to a big four 
accounting firm, we have completed a design assessment of all transaction cycles, identified gaps in control design and have 
formulated a remediation plan to address each gap noted, however, we have not yet implemented all new controls needed to 
address design gaps and, for those controls that have been implemented, we have not been able to evidence that controls were 
operating for a sufficient period of time to allow us to conclude that they are effective.

For the information systems deficiency, and in particular information systems that relate to revenue recognition, being mindful of 
the new revenue recognition standard that will have a pervasive impact on our revenue recognition models, we are in the process 
of completing a sustainable design of controls that strikes a balance between processes and systems necessary for the current 
revenue recognition models and those that will be required prospectively.  As these activities were still in process as of December 
31, 2015, the deficiency noted above related to information and communication systems continues to exist as of December 31, 
2015.

Lastly, the deficiency related to monitoring continues to exist at December 31, 2015.  We believe that remediation of the 
deficiencies in the control environment, control activities and information systems is necessary before an appropriate monitoring 
program can be effectively implemented.

Between September 2014 and May 2015, as we completed the restatement of our historical financial statements and regained our 
status as a current filer with the SEC, we filed two Annual Reports on Form 10-K and four Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, 
covering over 10 years of financial data in this eight month period.  Due to the compressed timeframe of these filings and 
significant level of effort devoted to completing the restatement and getting caught up on filings, we did not have sufficient time 
during the remainder of 2015 to fully remediate the aforementioned deficiencies and demonstrate that new and enhanced controls 
were operating for a sufficient period of time to conclude they were effective.  As a result, certain control deficiencies described 
herein continued to exist as of December 31, 2015.  We believe the control deficiencies described herein, individually and when 
aggregated, represent material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2015 since such 
deficiencies result in a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement in our annual or interim consolidated financial 
statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by our internal controls. As a result of our assessment, we have 
therefore concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective at December 31, 2015.

To address the material weaknesses discussed above, management intends to finalize its efforts around implementing effective 
internal controls and closely test and monitor the operating effectiveness of these controls throughout 2016 to ensure they meet 
their designed control objectives and, where necessary, take additional corrective measures to ensure that deficiencies are 
remediated.  With respect to controls over information systems that relate to revenue recognition, we are in the process of working 
with software vendors and third-party consultants to design appropriate automated controls over revenue recognition.  Due to the 
complexity of our revenue recognition models and the volume of transactions we apply them to, we utilize a highly customized 
revenue recognition system to calculate revenue recognition in accordance with GAAP.  As our system is highly customized and 
not an established, mature system, implementing systematic automated controls requires significant time and investment.  In 
addition, with the issuance of ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, that we could adopt as early as January 1, 
2017, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance, additional changes to our customized software solution 
and the processes that surround it will be necessary to comply with the new accounting standards.  We plan to continue to 
implement automated controls and processes in 2016 that address both current and prospective GAAP requirements.

The management team was able to obtain a reasonable level of assurance that revenue recognition and other financial statement 
balances were accurate and complete through highly substantive validation procedures and review processes.  As a result of these 
procedures, we believe that the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2015 fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the 
periods presented in conformity with GAAP.

We believe that the remediation measures described above will strengthen our internal control over financial reporting and 
remediate the material weaknesses we have identified. We expect that our remediation efforts, including design, implementation 
and testing will continue throughout fiscal year 2016.

96

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As described above under “Material Weakness Discussion and Remediation,” we have undertaken a broad range of remedial 
actions to address the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including changes in staffing, as well as 
design and implementation of new controls. These remedial procedures continued throughout the quarter ended December 31, 
2015.

Inherent Limitation on the Effectiveness of Internal Controls

The effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting is subject to inherent limitations, including the 
exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and procedures, and the inability to 
eliminate misconduct completely. Accordingly, any system of internal control over financial reporting can only provide 
reasonable, not absolute, assurances. In addition, 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. We intend to continue to monitor and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate for 
our business, but cannot assure that such improvements will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control over 
financial reporting.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Avid Technology, Inc.
Burlington, Massachusetts

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Avid Technology, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as 
of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company'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 annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on the Company'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 that 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 directors, 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.

97

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that 

there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management's 
assessment: an ineffective control environment, ineffective control activities, ineffective information and communications 
controls, and ineffective monitoring controls.  These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and 
extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended 
December 31, 2015 and this report does not affect our report on such financial statements.

In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses identified above on the achievement of the objectives of 

the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, 
based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated 
March 15, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 15, 2016 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

98

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all our employees, including our principal executive 
officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.  We will provide any person, without charge, with a copy of 
our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics upon written request to Avid, 75 Network Drive, Burlington, MA 01803, 
Attention:  Corporate Secretary.  Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also available in the Investor Relations section of 
our website at www.avid.com.  If we were to amend or waive any provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 
applicable to any of our principal executive officers, our principal financial officer, our principal accounting officer or any 
person performing similar functions, we intend to satisfy our disclosure obligations with respect to any such waiver or 
amendment by posting such information on our Internet website set forth above rather than by filing a Form 8-K.

The remainder of the response to this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders, or the 2016 Proxy Statement, under the captions “Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial 
Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Board Committees” and “Director Nomination Process,” all of which is incorporated 
herein by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The response to this item will be contained in our 2016 Proxy Statement under the captions “Director Compensation,” 
“Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider 
Participation” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 

RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The response to this item will be contained in our 2016 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain 
Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated herein by reference.

The disclosures required for securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans will be contained in the 2016 
Proxy Statement under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The response to this item will be contained in our 2016 Proxy Statement under the captions “Board Committees” and “Related 
Person Transaction Policy” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The response to this item will be contained in our 2016 Proxy Statement under the caption “Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm Fees” and is incorporated herein by reference.

99

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

PART IV

(a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following consolidated financial statements are included in Item 8:

-  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
-  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
-  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
-  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 
-  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
-  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
-  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a) 3. LISTING OF EXHIBITS.  The list of exhibits, which are filed or furnished with this report or are incorporated herein by

reference, is set forth in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.

100

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to 
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Registrant)

By:

/s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.                        
Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 15, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on 
behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:

/s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.               
Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman, Chief Executive 
Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

  By:

  By:

/s/ John W. Frederick                   
John W. Frederick
Executive Vice President, Chief 
Financial Officer and Chief 
Administrative Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Ryan H. Murray                      
Ryan H. Murray
Vice President of Finance and 
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: March 15, 2016

  Date: March 15, 2016

  Date: March 15, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf 
of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

                 NAME

/s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.        
Louis Hernandez, Jr.

/s/ Nancy Hawthorne            
Nancy Hawthorne

/s/ Robert M. Bakish           
Robert M. Bakish

/s/ Paula E. Boggs           
Paula E. Boggs

/s/ Elizabeth M. Daley          
Elizabeth M. Daley

/s/ Youngme E. Moon           
Youngme E. Moon

/s/ John H. Park                    
John H. Park

/s/ Peter Westley                    
Peter Westley

TITLE

DATE

Chairman of the Board of Directors

March 15, 2016

Lead Director

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

  Filed with
this Form
10-K

Form or
Schedule  
8-K

SEC Filing
Date
July 27, 2005

SEC File
Number
  000-21174

  10-Q   November 14, 2005   000-21174

8-K

  October 21, 2011

  000-21174

S-1

  March 11, 1993*

  033-57796

8-K

January 7, 2014

  000-21174

8-K

January 7, 2014

000-21174

8-K

  November 25, 2009   000-21174

8-K

  November 25, 2009   000-21174

Description
Certificate of Amendment of the Third Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Registrant

Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant,
as amended

Specimen Certificate representing the Registrant’s
Common Stock

Rights Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014,
between Registrant and Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. as Rights Agent, including all
exhibits thereto

Amended Certificate of Designations, Preferences
and Rights of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock

Network Drive at Northwest Park Office Lease
dated as of November 20, 2009 between Avid
Technology, Inc. and Netview 5 and 6 LLC (for
premises at 65 Network Drive, Burlington,
Massachusetts)

Network Drive at Northwest Park Office Lease
dated as of November 20, 2009 between Avid
Technology, Inc. and Netview 1,2,3,4 & 9 LLC
(for premises at 75 Network Drive, Burlington,
Massachusetts)

1993 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended

  10-K   February 29, 2008

  000-21174

Second Amended and Restated 1996 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

Amendment No #2 to Second Amended and
Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
amended

  10-K   March 16, 2010

  000-21174

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

1997 Stock Option Plan

  10-K   March 27, 1998

  000-21174

1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended

  10-Q   May 14, 1997

  000-21174

Second Amended and Restated Non-Qualified
Deferred Compensation Plan

  10-K   February 29, 2008

  000-21174

1998 Stock Option Plan

  10-K   March 16, 2005

  000-21174

Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Option Plan

  10-K   March 16, 2005

  000-21174

Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

  10-Q   August 7, 2008

  000-21174

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated 2005
Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under
the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement
under the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005
Stock Incentive Plan

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

Exhibit
No.
3.1

3.2

3.3

4.1

4.2

4.3

10.1

10.2

#10.3

#10.4

#10.5

#10.6

#10.7

#10.8

#10.9

#10.10

#10.11

#10.12

#10.13

#10.14

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#10.15

#10.16

#10.17

#10.18

#10.19

#10.20

#10.21

#10.22

#10.23

#10.24

#10.25

#10.26

#10.27

#10.28

#10.29

#10.30

#10.31

#10.32

#10.33

10.34

10.35

Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for
Outside Directors under the Registrant’s Amended
and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under
the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for
Outside Directors under the Registrant’s Amended
and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Stock Option Agreement for UK
Employees under the HM Revenue and Customs
Approved Sub-Plan for UK Employees under the
Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Grant Terms
and Conditions (under the 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan)

Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant Terms and
Conditions (under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan)

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under
the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2014 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of NSO Agreement under the Registrant’s
2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of ISO/NSO Agreement under the
Registrant’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Separation Agreement dated February 6, 2013
between Registrant and Gary G. Greenfield

Consulting and Separation Agreement dated April
22, 2013 between the Registrant and Kenneth A
Sexton
Amended and Restated Executive Employment
Agreement dated December 22, 2010 between the
Registrant and Christopher C. Gahagan

Form of Executive Officer Employment Letter as
of January 1, 2012

Summary of 2013 Annual Executive Incentive
Program
Executive Employment Agreement dated February
11, 2013 between the Registrant and Louis
Hernandez, Jr.

Amended and Restated Executive Employment
Agreement dated April 22, 2013 between the
Registrant and John Frederick

2013 Remediation Bonus Plan

Summary of 2014 Annual Executive Incentive
Program
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April
12, 2015, by and among Orad Hi-Tech Solutions
Form of Voting and Support Agreement between
Avid Technology, Inc. and certain shareholders of
Orad Hi-Tech Solutions Ltd.

8-K

July 8, 2008

  000-21174

8-K

July 8, 2008

000-21174

8-K

July 8, 2008

000-21174

8-K

July 8, 2008

  000-21174

8-K

  February 21, 2007

  000-21174

8-K

  February 21, 2007

  000-21174

10-K   March 16, 2015

  001-36254

10-K

March 16, 2015

  001-36254

  10-K   March 16, 2015

  001-36254

  10-K

March 16, 2015

  001-36254

8-K/A

February 12, 2013

000-21174

10-Q

September 12, 2014

001-36254

  10-K   March 14, 2011

  000-21174

  10-K

February 29, 2012

000-21174

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

8-K/A

February 12, 2013

000-21174

10-Q

September 12, 2014

001-36254

8-K

10-Q

8-K

8-K

July 25, 2013

000-21174

September 23, 2014

001-36254

April 13, 2015

001-36254

April 13, 2015

001-36254

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K

April 13, 2015

001-36254

10-Q

May 8, 2015

001-36254

8-K/A

June 16, 2015

001-36254

8-K/A

June 16, 2015

001-36254

8-K

June 23, 2015

001-36254

10-Q

November 6, 2015

001-36254

10.36

#10.37

10.38

10.39

10.40

#10.41

10.42

21

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

Financing Commitment Letter, dated April 12,
2015, by and between Avid Technology, Inc. and
the Lenders specified therein

Summary of Avid Technology, Inc.’s 2015
Executive Bonus Plan

Indenture, dated as of June 15, 2015, between Avid
Technology, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association (including the form of 2.00%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020)

Base capped call transaction confirmation, dated as
of June 9, 2015, by and between Jefferies
International Limited and Avid Technology, Inc., in
reference to the 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes
due 2020

Credit Agreement among Avid Technology, Inc.,
the Lenders named therein and KeyBank National
Association dated June 22, 2015

Second Amended and Restated 1996 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, as amended July 2015

Financing Agreement, dated February 26, 2016,
among Avid Technology, Inc., the Lenders named
therein and Cerberus Business Finance, LLC.

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

Certification of Principal Executive Officer
pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002

Certification of Principal Financial Officer
pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

**100.INS

XBRL Instance Document

**100.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

**100.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

**100.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

**100.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

**100.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase

Document

______________________________________

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

#

*

**

Management contract or compensatory plan identified pursuant to Item 15(a)3.

Effective date of Form S-1.
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is
deemed not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the
Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data 
(in thousands except per share data)

Year ended December 31, 
Net revenues 
Net income 
Net income per share (basic) 

2015 
 $505,595 
$2,480 
$0.06 

2014 
$530,251 
$14,728
$0.38 

       2013 
 $563,412 
$21,153 
     $0.54 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands except employee data)

As of December 31, 
Cash and marketable securities 
Total assets 
Total stockholders’ (deficit)
Employees 

2015 
$17,902 
$247,926 
($329,572) 
1,522 

2014 
$25,056  
$191,599 
($341,070) 
        1,413

       2013 
$48,203
$235,142
($359,335)
1,478

Worldwide Offices
Beijing
Boca Raton
Brussels
Burlington
Cologne
Dubai
Dublin
Helsinki
Hilversum
Hong Kong
Kaiserslautern
Kfar Saba
London
Los Angeles
Madrid

Montreal
Mountain View
Munich
New York
Paris
Seoul
Singapore
Stockholm
Sydney 
Szczecin
Taipei City
Taguig City
Tokyo
Washington, D.C
Wroclaw

Avid Corporate Headquarters 
75 Network Drive 
Burlington, MA 01803  
tel 978 640 6789 
www.avid.com

Independent Registered Public Accountants 
BDO USA, LLP
Boston, Massachusetts

Transfer Agent and Registrar 
Computershare 
P.O. Box 30170 
College Station,TX 77842-3170

Shareholder website
www.computershare.com

Shareholder online inquiries
www.computershare.com

Common Shares 
Traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market  
under the symbol “AVID”

Shareholder Inquiries 
Inquiries related to the Company, 
its activities, or its securities should 
be addressed to:

Jonathan Huang 
Vice President, Investor Relations 
75 Network Drive 
Burlington, MA 01803 
tel 978 640 5126 
jonathan.huang@avid.com

Board of Directors 

Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer
Avid Technology, Inc.

Robert M. Bakish
President and Chief Executive Officer, 
Viacom International Media Networks

Paula E. Boggs
Owner, Boggs Media LLC

Dr. Elizabeth M. Daley
Dean, University of Southern California 
School of Cinematic Arts

Nancy Hawthorne
Lead Director, Avid Technology, Inc.; 
Partner, Hawthorne Financial Advisors

Dr. Youngme E. Moon
Senior Associate Dean for Strategy  
and Innovation; 
Donald K. David Professor of Business 
Administration, Harvard Business School

John H. Park
Partner, Jackson Park Capital, LLC

Peter M. Westley
Partner, Blum Capital Partners, L.P.

Executive Management

Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman, President  
and Chief Executive Officer 

Jason Duva
Senior Vice President, General Counsel  
and Corporate Secretary

John Frederick
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial 
Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

Rick Lowenstein
Senior Vice President of Customer Success 
and Professional Services

Ryan Murray
Vice President of Finance  
and Chief Accounting Officer

Jeff Rosica
Senior Vice President, 
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

Dana Ruzicka
Vice President and Chief Product Officer

On March 30, 2016 the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company dismissed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, 
effective immediately and appointed BDO USA, LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm. For more information please see “Proposal 3 – Ratification of the Selection of our 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our Proxy Statement, which is being delivered herewith and incorporated herein.

© 2016 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, the Avid logo, and other Avid 
trademarks are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the 
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. iPad is a 
registered trademark of Apple Inc. The name Interplay is used with the permission of Interplay Entertainment Corp., which bears no responsibility for the product. All other trademarks contained 
herein are the property of their respective owners.

Avid  
75 Network Drive 
Burlington, MA 01803 USA 
www.avid.com