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InnerWorkings Inc

inwk · NASDAQ Communication Services
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FY2015 Annual Report · InnerWorkings Inc
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annual report 2015

we make marketing happen.

600 West Chicago Avenue  •  Chicago, Illinois 60654  •  inwk.com

inwk

 
 
 
letter from the ceo

My fellow shareholders,

In 2015, we further developed and deployed our powerful B2B technology, focused and 
strengthened our global service offering, and deepened our category expertise across the 
most meaningful elements of the marketing supply chain, particularly packaging, 
e-commerce, and retail displays. As a result, we enter 2016 with momentum directed at 
generating shareholder value by allowing us to maximize returns on our invested capital.

Our path to arrive at the strong competitive position we are in today hasn’t been a straight 
line. There has been some trial and error, and associated expense, along the way, driven by 
our ambition to disrupt, and ultimately dominate, the marketing execution space within the 
world's largest and most successful companies.

We initiated a number of meaningful changes in 2015 in our drive to maximize shareholder 

value. First, under leadership from our new CFO, Jeff Pritchett, we’ve adjusted incentive 

compensation to include capital charges in regional P&L’s and sales commissions, and we’ve 

linked executive bonuses more directly to return on invested capital. Second, we improved 

the commercial terms with our supplier base.  Third, we streamlined our lower margin 

international operations. And finally, we are attacking our days sales outstanding through 

better billing practices, operational improvements, and improved collections and contractual 

terms, where we see real opportunities to better manage our cash flow.

Our earnings growth in 2015 was strong, and we head into 2016 with a lot of potential for 

further gains. Our top-line growth in 2015, however, was muted. Currency fluctuations 

impacted our revenue, which is no excuse for delivering a lower organic growth rate than we 

have realized historically. We made the decision to expand our business globally, and 

exposure to foreign currencies was part of the calculation.

There are two observations to make here. First, the effect of currency moves on our bottom 

line was small, as most of our direct costs for each client are in the same currency as our 

revenue from that client. Second, the decision to establish a global platform benefits our 

clients and our shareholders. Our target market is weighted heavily toward multi-national 

corporations, many of which are thinking globally and are looking to a partner like 

InnerWorkings that can provide coherent support to their brands around the world, 
eliminating their historical, sub-optimal, and largely disjointed regional solutions.

Even with the lower reported sales growth figures of 2015, we remain a quintessential 
growth company, with a focused, organic growth strategy. Our opportunity is vast, as we 
have first mover, geographic, technology and category expertise advantages. The growth 
potential isn’t just with new clients, as we have a lot of growth potential within our existing 
client base, and we made tangible investments in the second half of 2015 to access this 
opportunity. We aren’t growing simply to maintain a lead on current and future potential 
competitors. We are doing so to create shareholder value. Growth improves our profit 
margins through operating leverage, and scale creates buying power and other market 
benefits which translate into higher returns.

Some interesting facts that you may not know about InnerWorkings:

1

Traditional commercial print, our original product category, now represents a much 
smaller portion of our business than it did just a few years ago. The characteristics of  

board of directors

Jack M. Greenberg

Chairman of the Board

Retired Chairman and CEO,

McDonald’s Corporation

Eric D. Belcher

InnerWorkings

President and Chief Executive Officer,

Charles K. Bobrinskoy

Vice Chairman and Head of Investment Group,

Ariel Investments

David Fisher

Chairman and CEO,

Enova International, Inc.

Daniel M. Friedberg

President and CEO,

Sagard Capital Partners

J. Patrick Gallagher Jr.

Chairman and CEO,

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Julie M. Howard

Chairman and CEO,

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Linda S. Wolf

Retired Chairman and CEO,

Leo Burnett Worldwide

committees

Audit Committee

Charles K. Bobrinskoy (Chair)

David Fisher

Julie M. Howard

Linda S. Wolf

Compensation Committee

J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. (Chair)

Charles K. Bobrinskoy

David Fisher

Jack M. Greenberg

Julie M. Howard

Linda S. Wolf

Daniel M. Friedberg

Nominating & Corporate

Governance Committee

Linda S. Wolf (Chair)

J. Patrick Gallagher Jr.

Jack M. Greenberg

Julie M. Howard

Daniel M. Friedberg

executive officers

Eric D. Belcher

President and Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey P. Pritchett

Chief Financial Officer

Ronald C. Provenzano

General Counsel

Robert L. Burkart

Chief Information Officer

shareholder information

Corporate Headquarters

InnerWorkings, Inc.

600 West Chicago Avenue

Chicago, IL 60654

312.642.3700

Auditor

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, IL

Annual Meeting

InnerWorkings’ shareholders are invited to

attend our annual meeting, which will be

held on June 3, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. (CT)

at our Corporate Headquarters.

Common Stock

The common stock of InnerWorkings, Inc. is

traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under

the symbol “INWK.”

Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer and

Trust Company, LLC

Shareholder Services

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

800.937.5449

www.amstock.com

inwk

corporate information

 
   
the commercial printing industry which made it so ripe for disruption, such as excess 

capacity, the lack of data used in determining pricing, and the absence of 

transparency exist to a similar degree in the world of packaging, retail displays, 

direct mail, promotional products, and other categories of "below the line" 

marketing expenditures. These are highly related areas with similar decision makers 

and budgets involved, and we’ve had success in expanding into these attractive 

categories.

2

3

We had approximately 12.5 million visits to our technology platform in 2015, with 

the vast majority from our clients, who use our tool to order product, automate 

payments, access reports, manage projects, and perform other critical marketing 

functions that were historically manual and off-line. 

We are in discussions with dozens of our clients about a global, or at least a more 

global, solution. We now support more than 20 clients on more than one continent, 

with that number set to grow meaningfully over the next few years. 

As we look ahead to 2016, we remain focused on organic growth and will continue to make 

strategic reinvestments in two key areas. The first is our proprietary technology, which has 

revolutionized the marketing supply chain and is a key differentiator for us in the 

marketplace. This is a core component of our global service offering and makes us a more 

strategic and integrated partner with our clients. We will also further build out our sales 

engine by recruiting additional business development professionals to fuel our proven 

organic growth strategy.

I would like to thank our Board of Directors for their continued guidance. I am also grateful 

for our more than 1,500 InnerWorkings professionals, whose talents and dedication to 

serving our clients made our 2015 achievements possible. From all of us at InnerWorkings, 

thank you for your continued support and confidence in our strategy and team.

My regards,

Eric D. Belcher

President and Chief Executive Officer

letter from the ceo

 
 
 
creative execution
services

branded 
merchandise

retail enviroments
+ displays

1 billion

 buying power

print 
management
+ direct mail

empowering our clients to 
maximize marketing impact 
through smarter buying, 
technology, and innovation

4.5 million

historical records

events+
promotions

ecommerce +
fulfillment

product +
luxury packaging

3 billion

marketing pieces 
procured annually

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

FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 
Commission file number: 000-52170

INNERWORKINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)  

20-5997364
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

600 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 850 , Chicago, IL 60654  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 642-3700
(Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

Name of each exchange on which registered
Nasdaq Global 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 Act 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 electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      Yes   

     No   

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

     No   

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. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  

  Accelerated filer  

  Non-accelerated filer  

Smaller reporting company  

(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2015, the last business 
day of the registrant’s most recent completed second quarter, was $293,538,423 (based on the closing sale price of the registrant’s 
common stock on that date as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market).

As of February 25, 2016, the registrant had 54,147,780 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding which 
includes 1,048,682 shares of unvested restricted stock awards that have voting rights and are held by members of the Board of 
Directors and the Company’s employees.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A within 
120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Portions of such proxy statement are incorporated by reference 
into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
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
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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

PART I

Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

PART II

Item 5.

Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.

PART III

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Signatures

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17
17

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18
20
21
37
38
73
73
74

75

75
75

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3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART I

Unless  otherwise  indicated  or  the  context  otherwise  requires,  references  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form 10-K  to 
“InnerWorkings, Inc.,” “InnerWorkings,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to InnerWorkings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, 
and its subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements 

Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A 
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 
(the “Exchange Act”). These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, 
performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied 
by these forward-looking statements. Factors which could materially affect such forward-looking statements can be found in Part I, 
Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7 entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the 
forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking 
statements made herein are only made as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking 
statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Item 1.

Business

Our Company 

We are a leading global marketing execution firm for some of the world's most marketing intensive companies, including 
those in the Fortune 1000. As a comprehensive outsourced global solution, we leverage proprietary technology, an extensive supplier 
network and deep domain expertise to streamline the creation, production and distribution of marketing and promotional materials, 
signage and displays, retail experiences, events and promotions, and product packaging across every major market worldwide. The 
items we source generally are procured through the marketing supply chain, and we refer to these items collectively as marketing 
materials. Our technology and databases of product and supplier information are designed to capitalize on excess manufacturing 
capacity and other inefficiencies in the traditional marketing materials supply chain to obtain favorable pricing while delivering high-
quality products and services for our clients.     

Our proprietary software applications and databases create a fully-integrated solution that stores, analyzes and tracks the 
production capabilities of our supplier network, as well as detailed pricing data. As a result, we believe we have one of the largest 
independent repositories of supplier capabilities and pricing data for suppliers of marketing materials around the world. We leverage 
our supplier capabilities and pricing data to match our orders with suppliers that are optimally suited to meet the client’s needs at a 
highly competitive price.

Through our network of more than 9,000 global suppliers, we offer a full range of fulfillment and logistics services that allow 
us to procure marketing materials of virtually any kind. The breadth of our product offerings and services and the depth of our supplier 
network enable us to fulfill the marketing materials procurement needs of our clients. By leveraging our technology and data, our 
clients are able to reduce overhead costs, redeploy internal resources and obtain favorable pricing and service terms. In addition, our 
ability to track individual transactions and provide customized reports detailing procurement activity on an enterprise-wide basis 
provides our clients with greater visibility and control of their marketing materials expenditures.

We generate revenue by procuring and purchasing marketing materials from our suppliers and selling those products to our 
clients. We procure products for clients across a wide range of industries, such as retail, financial services, hospitality, consumer 
packaged goods, non-profits, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable, and transportation. Our clients 
fall into two categories, enterprise and transactional. We enter into contracts with our enterprise clients to provide some, or substantially 
all, of their marketing materials, typically on a recurring basis. We provide marketing materials to our transactional clients on an 
order-by-order basis.  

We were formed in 2001, commenced operations in 2002 and converted from a limited liability company to a Delaware 
corporation in January 2006. Our corporate headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. For the year ended December 31, 2015, 
we served approximately 300 enterprise clients. We have increased our annual revenue from $5.0 million in 2002 to $1.0 billion in 
2015, representing a compound annual growth rate of 50.6%.

4

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
As of December 31, 2015, we operated in 67 global office locations. We organize our operations into three segments based 
on geographic regions: North America, Latin America and EMEA. The North America segment includes operations in the United 
States and Canada; the Latin America segment includes operations in Mexico, South America and Central America; and the EMEA 
segment includes operations in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. We believe the opportunity 
exists to expand our business into new geographic markets. Our objective is to continue to increase our sales in the major markets 
in the United States and internationally. We intend to hire or acquire more account executives within close proximity to these large 
markets.

Industry Overview

Our business of providing marketing execution solutions primarily includes the procurement of marketing materials, branded 
merchandise, product packaging and retail displays. Based on external sources, including Smithers Pira, we estimate the global 
market for marketing materials, product packaging and retail displays, in aggregate, to be approximately $600 billion annually. 

Procurement  of  marketing  materials  is  often  dispersed  across  several  areas  of  a  business,  including  sales,  marketing, 
communications  and  finance.  The  traditional  process  of  procuring,  designing  and  producing  an  order  often  requires  extensive 
collaboration by manufacturers, designers, agencies, brokers, fulfillment and other middlemen, which is highly inefficient for the 
customer, who typically pays a mark-up at each intermediate stage of the supply chain. Consolidating marketing activities across 
the organization represents an opportunity to reduce total expenditure and decrease the number of vendors in the marketing supply 
chain.

To become more competitive, many large corporations seek to focus on their core competencies and outsource non-core 
business functions, which typically include marketing execution. According to a recent report issued by Everest Group, the global 
business process outsourcing market for managed procurement is more than $250 billion and growing at about 12% annually. 

We seek to capitalize on the trends impacting the marketing supply chain and the movement towards outsourcing of non-core 
business functions by leveraging our propriety technology, deep domain expertise, extensive supplier network and purchasing power.

Our Solution 

Utilizing our proprietary technology and data, we provide our clients a global solution to procure and deliver marketing 
materials at favorable prices. Our network of more than 9,000 global suppliers offers a wide variety of products and a full range of 
print, fulfillment and logistics services.

Our procurement software and database seeks to capitalize on excess manufacturing capacity and other inefficiencies in the 
traditional supply chain for marketing materials. We believe that the most competitive prices we obtain from our suppliers are offered 
by the suppliers with the most unused capacity. We utilize our technology to:

• 
• 
• 

greatly increase the number of suppliers that our clients can access efficiently;
obtain favorable pricing and deliver high quality products and services for our clients; and
aggregate our purchasing power.

Our proprietary technology and data streamline the procurement process for our clients by eliminating inefficiencies within 
the  traditional  marketing  supply  chain  and  expediting  production.  However,  our  technology  cannot  manage  all  of  the  variables 
associated with procuring marketing materials, which often involves extensive collaboration among numerous parties. Effective 
management  of  the  procurement  process  requires  that  dedicated  and  experienced  personnel  work  closely  with  both  clients  and 
suppliers. Our account executives and production managers perform that critical function.

Account executives act as the primary sales staff to our clients. Production managers manage the entire procurement process 
for our clients to ensure timely and accurate delivery of the finished product. For each order we receive, a production manager uses 
our technology to gather specifications, solicit bids from the optimal suppliers, establish pricing with the client, manage production 
and purchase and coordinate the delivery of the finished product.

Each client is assigned an account executive and one or more production managers, who develop contacts with client personnel 
responsible for authorizing and making purchases. Our largest clients often are assigned multiple production managers. In certain 
cases, our production managers function on-site at the client. Whether on-site or off-site, a production manager functions as a virtual 
employee of the client. As of December 31, 2015, we had over 650 production managers, including over 300 production managers 

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
working on-site at our clients. Although our clients fall into two categories, enterprise and transactional, the production process for 
each client category is substantially similar.

Our Proprietary Technology

Our proprietary technology is a fully-integrated solution that stores equipment profiles for our supplier network and price data 
for orders we quote and execute. Our technology allows us to match orders with the suppliers in our network that are optimally suited 
to produce an order at a highly competitive price. Our technology also allows us to efficiently manage the critical aspects of the 
procurement process, including gathering order specifications, identifying suppliers, establishing pricing, managing production and 
coordinating purchase and delivery of the finished product. 

Our database stores the production capabilities of our supplier network, as well as price and quote data for bids we receive 
and transactions we execute. As a result, we maintain one of the largest independent repositories of equipment profiles and price 
data for suppliers of marketing materials. Our production managers use this data to discover excess manufacturing capacity, select 
optimal suppliers, negotiate favorable pricing and efficiently procure high-quality products and services for our clients.  We rate our 
suppliers based on product quality, customer service and overall satisfaction. This data is stored in our database and used by our 
production managers during the supplier selection process.

We believe our proprietary technology allows us to procure marketing materials more efficiently than traditional manual or 

semi-automated systems used by many manufacturers in the marketplace. Our technology includes the following features:

•  Customized order management.   Our solution automatically generates customized data entry screens based on 
product type and guides the production manager to enter the required job specifications. For example, if a 
production manager selects “envelope” in the product field, the screen will automatically prompt the production 
manager to specify the size, paper type, window size and placement and display style.

• 

•  Cost management.   Our solution reconciles supplier invoices to executed orders to ensure the supplier adhered to 
the pricing and other terms contained in the order. In addition, it includes checks and balances that allow us to 
monitor important financial indicators relating to an order, such as projected gross margin and significant job 
alterations.
Standardized reporting.  Our solution generates transaction reports that contain quote, supplier capability, price and 
customer service information regarding the orders the client has completed with us. These reports can be 
customized, sorted and searched based on a specified time period or the type of product, price or supplier. In 
addition, the reports give our clients insight into their spend for each individual job and on an enterprise-wide basis, 
which allows the client to track the amounts it spends on job components such as paper, production and logistics.
Task-tracking.  Our solution creates a work order checklist that sends e-mail reminders to our production managers 
regarding the time elapsed between certain milestones and the completion of specified deliverables. These 
automated notifications enable our production managers to focus on more critical aspects of the process and 
eliminate delays.

• 

•  Historical price baseline.  Some of our larger clients provide us with pricing data for orders they completed before 
they began to use our solution. For these clients, our solution automatically compares our current price for a job to 
the price obtained by the client for a comparable historical job, which enables us to demonstrate on an ongoing 
basis the cost savings we provide.

We have created customized e-commerce stores on our client and third party platforms to order pre-selected products, such 
as personalized stationery, marketing brochures, and promotional products. Automated order processes can send requests to our 
vendors for fulfillment or printing of variable print on demand products.

Our Clients

We procure marketing materials for corporate clients across a wide range of industries, such as retail, financial services, 
hospitality, consumer packaged goods, non-profits, healthcare, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable, and transportation. Our 
clients also include manufacturers that outsource jobs to us because they do not have the requisite capabilities or capacity to complete 
an  order.  For  the  year  ended  December 31,  2015,  we  served  approximately  300  enterprise  clients  through  approximately  9,000 
suppliers. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, our largest customer accounted for 5%, 6% and 5% of our revenue, 
respectively. Revenue from our top ten clients accounted for 27%, 28% and 30% of our revenue in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We generate revenue by procuring and purchasing marketing materials from our suppliers and selling those products to our 
clients. Our clients fall into two categories, enterprise and transactional. We enter into contracts with our enterprise clients to provide 

6

 
 
 
 
 
 
some or substantially all of their marketing materials, typically on a recurring basis. Our contracts with our enterprise clients are 
generally for a three to five year term with a termination right upon advance notice ranging from 90 days to twelve months. For the 
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, enterprise clients accounted for 85%, 79% and 77% of our revenue, respectively. 
We provide marketing materials to our transactional clients on an order-by-order basis. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013, transactional clients accounted for 15%, 21% and 23% of our revenue, respectively.

Our Products and Services

We offer a full range of solutions to support the marketing execution needs of our clients. Our outsourced print management 
solution encompasses the design, sourcing and delivery of printed marketing materials such as direct mail, in-store signage and 
marketing  collateral. We  provide  a  similar  outsourced  solution  for  the  design,  sourcing,  and  delivery  of  other  categories  in  the 
marketing supply chain, such as branded merchandise and product packaging. We also assist clients with the management of events 
and  promotions  spending  and  related  procurement  needs.  Our  retail  environments  solution  involves  the  design,  sourcing,  and 
installation of point of sale displays, permanent retail fixtures, and overall store design. We also offer on-site outsourced creative 
studio services, as well as on-demand creative services.

We offer comprehensive fulfillment and logistics services, such as kitting and assembly inventory management and pre-sorting 
postage. These services are often essential to the completion of the finished product. For example, we assemble multi-level direct 
mailings, insurance benefits packages and coupons and promotional incentives that are included with credit card and bank statements. 
We  also  provide  creative  services,  including  copywriting,  graphics  and  website  design,  identity  work  and  marketing  collateral 
development, and pre-media services, such as image and print-ready page processing and proofing capabilities. Our e-commerce 
and online collaboration technology empowers our clients with branded self-service ecommerce websites that prompt quick and easy 
online ordering, fulfillment, tracking and reporting.

We generally agree to provide our clients with products that conform to the industry standard of a “commercially reasonable 
quality” and our suppliers in turn agree to provide us with products of the same quality. The contracts we execute with our clients 
typically include customary provisions that limit the amount of our liability for product defects. To date, we have not experienced 
significant claims or liabilities relating to defective products.

Our Supplier Network

Our global network of more than 9,000 suppliers includes graphic designers, paper mills and merchants, digital imaging 
companies, specialty binders, finishing and engraving firms, fulfillment and distribution centers and manufacturers of displays and 
promotional items.

These suppliers have been selected from among thousands of potential suppliers worldwide on the basis of price, quality, 

delivery and customer service. We direct requests for quotations to potential suppliers based on historical pricing data, quality 
control rankings and geographic proximity to a client or other criteria specified by our clients. In 2015, our top ten suppliers 
accounted for approximately 10% of our cost of goods sold, and no supplier accounted for more than 2% of our cost of goods 
sold.

We have established a quality control program that is designed to ensure that we deliver high-quality products and services 

to our clients through the suppliers in our network.

Sales and Marketing

Our  account  executives  sell  our  marketing  execution  solutions  to  corporate  clients. As  of  December 31,  2015,  we  had 
approximately 400 account executives. Our agreements with our account executives require them to market and sell our solutions 
on an exclusive basis and contain non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during and for a specified period after 
the term of their service.

We expect to continue our growth by recruiting and retaining highly qualified account executives and providing them with 
the tools to be successful in the marketplace. There are a large number of experienced sales representatives globally and we believe 
that we will be able to identify additional qualified account executives from this pool of individuals. We also expect to augment our 
sales  force  through  selective  acquisitions  of  other  businesses  that  offer  marketing  execution  services,  including  brokers  that 
employ experienced sales personnel with established client relationships.

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
We believe that we offer account executives an attractive opportunity because they can utilize our vast supplier network, 
proprietary pricing data and customized order management solution to sell to our clients virtually any type of marketing materials 
at a highly competitive price. In addition, the diverse production and service capabilities of the suppliers in our network provide our 
account executives the opportunity to deliver a more complete product and service offering to our clients. We believe we can better 
attract and retain experienced account executives than our competitors because of the breadth of products offered by our supplier 
network.

To date, we have been successful in attracting and retaining qualified account executives. The integration process consists of 
training with our sales management, as well as access to a variety of sales and educational resources that are available on our intranet.

Competition

Our marketing execution solutions compete with in-house procurement departments in large marketing intensive companies 
and with companies in several manufacturing industries, including design, graphics art and  digital  imaging and fulfillment and 
logistics. As a result, we compete on some level with virtually every company that is involved in printing, from graphic designers 
to pre-press firms and fulfillment companies.

Our primary competitors are manufacturers that employ traditional methods of marketing and selling their printed materials. 
The manufacturers with which we compete generally own and operate their own manufacturing equipment and typically serve clients 
only within the specific product categories that their equipment produces.

We also compete with manufacturing management firms and brokers. These competitors generally do not own or operate 
printing equipment, and typically work with a limited number of suppliers and have minimal financial investment in the quality of 
the products produced for their clients. Our industry experience indicates that several of these competitors, such as Williams Lea, 
LogicSource and HH Global, offer print procurement services or enterprise software applications for the print industry.

The principal elements of competition in marketing materials procurement are price, product quality, customer service and 
reliability. Although we believe our business delivers products and services on competitive terms, our business and the marketing 
execution industry are relatively new and are evolving rapidly. The individuals responsible for purchasing marketing materials at 
our prospective clients may prefer to utilize the traditional services offered by the manufacturers with whom we compete. Alternatively, 
some  of  these  manufacturers  may  elect  to  compete  with  us  directly  by  offering  procurement  services  or  enterprise  software 
applications,  and  their  well-established  client  relationships,  industry  knowledge,  brand  recognition,  financial  and  marketing 
capabilities, technical resources and pricing flexibility may provide them with a competitive advantage over us.

Intellectual Property

We rely primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to protect our intellectual property rights. 
We  also  protect  our  proprietary  technology  through  confidentiality  and  non-disclosure  agreements  with  our  employees  and 
independent contractors.

Our IT infrastructure provides a high level of security for our proprietary database. The storage system for our proprietary 
data is designed to ensure that power and hardware failures do not result in the loss of critical data. The proprietary data is protected 
from unauthorized access through a combination of physical and logical security measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, 
intrusion detection software, password encryption and physical security, with access limited to authorized IT personnel. In addition 
to our security infrastructure, our system data is backed up and stored in a redundant facility on a daily basis to prevent the loss of 
our proprietary data due to catastrophic failures or natural disasters. We test our overall IT recovery ability and co-location facility 
semi-annually and test our back-up processes quarterly to verify that we can recover our business critical systems in a timely fashion.

Employees

As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately 1,600 employees and independent contractors in more than 39 countries.  We 

consider our employee relations to be strong.

Our Website

8

 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our website is http://www.inwk.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Reports on Form 10-
K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including exhibits and any amendments to those reports, 
filed with or furnished to the SEC. We make these reports available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after our 
electronic filing of such materials with, or the furnishing of them to, the SEC.  The information contained on our website is not a 
part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K 
or any other public filing made by us with the SEC.

9

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Set forth below are certain risk factors that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. You should 
carefully read the following risk factors, together with the financial statements, related notes and other information contained in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our business, financial condition and operating results may suffer if any of the following risks are 
realized. If any of these risks or uncertainties occur, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or 
part of your investment. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. 
Please refer to the discussion of “forward-looking statements” on page four of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in connection with 
your consideration of the risk factors and other important factors that may affect future results described below.

Risks Related to Our Business

Competition could substantially impair our business and our operating results 

We compete with companies in the manufacturing of marketing related products, including printed materials, in-store displays, 
packaging materials, graphics art and digital imaging and fulfillment and logistics. Competition in these industries is intense. Our 
primary competitors are manufacturers that employ traditional methods of marketing and selling their marketing materials. Many 
of these manufacturers, such as Quad/Graphics and R.R. Donnelley, have larger client bases and significantly more resources than 
we do. Buyers may prefer to utilize the traditional services offered by the manufacturers with whom we compete. Alternatively, some 
of these manufacturers may elect to offer outsourced print procurement services or enterprise software applications, and their well-
established client relationships, industry knowledge, brand recognition, financial and marketing capabilities, technical resources and 
pricing flexibility may provide them with a competitive advantage over us.

We also compete with a number of management  firms and  brokers. Several of these  competitors,  such as Williams Lea, 
LogicSource and HH Global, offer outsourced procurement services or enterprise software applications for the marketing industry. 
These competitors, or new competitors that enter the market, may also offer procurement services similar to and competitive with, 
or superior to, our current or proposed offerings and may achieve greater market acceptance. In addition, a software solution and 
database similar to our proprietary technology could be created over time by a competitor with sufficient financial resources and 
comparable industry experience. If our competitors are able to offer comparable services, we could lose clients, and our market share 
could decline.

Our  competitors  may  also  establish  cooperative  relationships  to  increase  their  ability  to  address  client  needs.  Increased 
competition may lead to revenue reductions, reduced gross margins or a loss of market share, any one of which could harm our 
business and our operating results.

If our services do not achieve widespread commercial acceptance, our business will suffer.

Most companies currently coordinate the procurement and management of their print orders with their own employees using 
a combination of telephone, facsimile, e-mail, their own technology platforms and the Internet. Growth in the demand for our services 
depends on the adoption of our outsourcing model for marketing related procurement services. We may not be able to persuade 
prospective clients to change their traditional procurement processes. Our business could suffer if our services are not accepted or 
are not perceived by the marketplace to be effective or valuable.

If our suppliers do not meet our needs or expectations, or those of our clients, our business would suffer.

The success of our business depends to a large extent on our relationships with our clients and our reputation for high quality 
marketing materials and marketing execution services. We do not own manufacturing equipment. Instead, we rely on third-party 
suppliers to deliver the products and services that we provide to our clients. As a result, we do not directly control the products 
manufactured or the services provided by our suppliers. If our suppliers do not meet our needs or expectations, or those of our clients, 
our professional reputation may be damaged, our business would be harmed and we could be subject to legal liability.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a relatively limited number of large clients and any loss of, or decrease in 
sales to, these clients could harm our results of operations.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a relatively limited number of large clients. Revenue from our top ten 
clients accounted for 27%, 28% and 30% of our revenue during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our largest client accounted for 5%, 6% and 5% of our revenue in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We are likely to continue to 
experience ongoing client concentration, particularly if we are successful in attracting large enterprise clients. Moreover, there may 
be a loss or reduction in business from one or more of our large clients. It is also possible that revenue from these clients, either 
individually or as a group, may not reach or exceed historical levels in any future period. The loss or significant reduction of business 
from our major clients would adversely affect our results of operations.

A significant or prolonged economic downturn, or a dramatic decline in the demand for marketing materials, could adversely 
affect our revenue and results of operations.

Our results of operations are affected directly by the level of business activity of our clients, which in turn is affected by the 
level of economic activity and cyclicality in the industries and markets that they serve. Certain of our products are sold to industries, 
including the advertising, retail, consumer products, housing, financial and pharmaceutical industries, that experience significant 
fluctuations in demand based on general economic conditions, cyclicality and other factors beyond our control. Continued economic 
uncertainty or an economic downturn could result in a reduction of the marketing budgets of our clients or a decrease in the number 
of marketing materials that our clients order from us. Reduced demand from one of these industries or markets could adversely affect 
our revenues, operating income and profitability.

A significant decrease in the number of our suppliers could adversely affect our business.

Our suppliers are not contractually required to continue to accept orders from us. If production capacity at a significant number 
of our suppliers becomes unavailable, we will be required to use fewer suppliers, which could significantly limit our ability to serve 
our clients on competitive terms. In addition, we rely on price bids provided by our suppliers to populate our database. If the number 
of our suppliers decreases significantly, we may not be able to obtain sufficient pricing information for our database, which could 
adversely affect our ability to obtain favorable pricing for our clients and adversely affect our operating income and profitability.

We may face difficulties as we expand our operations into countries in which we have limited operating experience.

Aggregate revenue from our Latin America and EMEA segments represented 31%, 31% and 26% of total revenue for the 
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We intend to expand our global footprint, which may involve expanding 
into countries other than those in which we currently operate or increasing our operations in countries where we currently have 
limited operations and resources. Our business outside of the United States is subject to various risks, including:

• 
• 

changes in economic and political conditions;
changes in and compliance with international and domestic laws and regulations, including anti-corruption laws such 
as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Anti-Bribery Act;

•  wars, civil unrest, acts of terrorism and other conflicts;
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

natural disasters;
compliance with and changes in tariffs, trade restrictions, trade agreements and taxation;
difficulties in managing or overseeing foreign operations;
limitations on the repatriation of funds because of foreign exchange controls;
political and economic corruption;
less developed and less predictable legal systems than those in the United States; and
intellectual property laws of countries which do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the 
laws of the United States.

The occurrence or consequences of any of these factors may lead to significant legal or compliance expenses and may restrict 
our ability to operate in the affected region or result in the loss of clients in the affected region or other regions, which could adversely 
affect our revenue, operating income and profitability.

As we expand our business in foreign countries, we will become exposed to increased risk of loss from foreign currency 
fluctuations and exchange controls, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies, as well as longer 
accounts receivable payment cycles. We  have  limited control over these risks, and if we  do not  correctly  anticipate changes  in 
international economic and political conditions, we may not alter our business practices in time to avoid adverse effects.

The European economy continues to experience overall weakness as a result of lingering high unemployment, sovereign debt 
issues and tightening of government budgets. Continued weak economic conditions in Europe could adversely affect our results of 
operations in the European countries in which we conduct business. Additionally, concerns persist regarding the debt burden of 
certain of the countries that have adopted the euro currency (the “euro zone”) and their ability to meet future financial obligations, 

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
as well as concerns regarding the overall stability of the euro to function as a single currency among the diverse economic, social 
and political circumstances within the euro zone. We conduct a portion of our business in euro. Although it remains uncertain whether 
significant changes in utilization of the euro will occur or what the potential impact of such changes in the euro zone or globally 
might be, a material shift in circulation of the euro could result in disruptions to our business and negatively impact our results of 
operations.

If we are unable to expand the number of our account executives, or if a significant number of our account executives leave 
InnerWorkings, our ability to increase our revenues could be negatively impacted.

Our ability to expand our business will depend largely on our ability to attract additional account executives with established 
client relationships. Competition for qualified account executives can be intense and we may be unable to hire such individuals. Any 
difficulties we experience in expanding the number of our account executives could have a negative impact on our ability to expand 
our client base, increase our revenue and continue our growth.

In addition, we must retain our current account executives and properly incentivize them to obtain new clients and maintain 
existing client relationships. If a significant number of our account executives leave InnerWorkings and take their clients with them, 
our revenue could be negatively impacted. Although we have entered into non-competition agreements with our account executives, 
we may need to litigate to enforce our rights under these agreements, which could be time-consuming, expensive and ineffective. A 
significant increase in the turnover rate among our current account executives could also increase our recruiting costs and decrease 
our operating efficiency and productivity, which could lead to a decline in the demand for our services.

If we are unable to expand our enterprise client base, our revenue growth rate may be negatively impacted.

As part of our growth strategy, we seek to attract new enterprise clients and expand relationships with existing enterprise and 
transactional clients. If we are unable to attract new enterprise clients or expand our relationships with our existing enterprise and 
transactional clients, our ability to grow our business will be hindered.

Most of our clients may terminate their relationships with us on short notice and with no penalties or limited penalties.

Our  transactional  clients,  which  accounted  for  approximately  15%,  21%  and  23%  of  our  revenue  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, typically use our services on an order-by-order basis rather than under long-term 
contracts. These clients have no obligation to continue using our services and may stop purchasing from us at any time. We have 
entered into contracts with our enterprise clients, which accounted for approximately 85%, 79% and 77% of our revenue for the 
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that are generally for three to five year terms. Most of these contracts, 
however, permit the clients to terminate our engagements upon prior notice ranging from 90 days to 12 months with limited or no 
penalties.

The volume and type of services we provide our clients may vary from year to year and could be reduced if a client were to 
change its outsourcing or procurement strategy. If a significant number of our transactional or enterprise clients elect to terminate 
or not to renew their engagements with us, or if the volume of their orders decreases, our business, operating results and financial 
condition could suffer.

We may not be able to develop or implement new systems, procedures and controls that are required to support the continued 
growth in our operations.

Our revenue increased from $5.0 million in 2002 to $1.0 billion in 2015, representing a compound annual growth rate of 
50.6%. Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2015, the number of our employees and independent contractors increased from 
21 to approximately 1,600. Continued growth could place a significant strain on our ability to:

recruit, motivate and retain qualified account executives, production managers and management personnel;
preserve our culture, values and entrepreneurial environment;
develop and improve our internal administrative infrastructure and execution standards; and

• 
• 
• 
•  maintain high levels of client satisfaction.

To manage our growth, we must implement and maintain proper operational and financial controls and systems. Further, we 
will need to manage our relationships with various clients and suppliers. We cannot give any assurance that we will be able to develop 
and implement, on a timely basis, the systems, procedures and controls required to support the growth in our operations or effectively 

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
manage our relationships with various clients and suppliers. If we are unable to manage our growth, our business, operating results 
and financial condition could be adversely affected.  

Our business and stock price may be adversely affected if our internal control over financial reporting is not effective.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires companies to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of their internal 
control over financial reporting. To comply with this statute, each year we are required to document and test our internal control over 
financial reporting; our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting; 
and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting.

In  this Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  we  reported  that  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  were  effective  as  of 

December 31, 2015. See “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.”

However, we cannot assure that we will not discover other material weaknesses in the future. The existence of one or more 
material weaknesses could result in errors in our financial statements, and substantial costs and resources may be required to rectify 
these or other internal control deficiencies, and may subject us to risk of litigation, for which we may incur substantial costs regardless 
of its outcome. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, 
the market price of our common stock could decline significantly, we may be unable to obtain additional financing to operate and 
expand our business, and our business and financial condition could be harmed.

The global integration of our technology platform may result in business interruptions.

We are currently implementing a common technology platform across our global operations. The implementation of and such 
changes to our technology platform and related software carry risks such as cost overruns, project delays and business interruptions 
and delays.  If we experience a material business interruption as a result of this process, it could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, financial position and results of operations.

Security and privacy breaches may damage client relations and inhibit our growth.

The secure and uninterrupted operation of our information technology systems is critical to our business. These systems host 
our own confidential information as well as third-party data, which may be targeted by sophisticated cyber attacks or other attempted 
intrusions. If we are the victim of a significant data security breach, or if our clients perceive that we are unable to protect the security 
of their confidential information, we could suffer harm to our reputation with clients, be exposed to liability, and incur significant 
remediation costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations.

A decrease in levels of excess capacity in the commercial print industry could have an adverse impact on our business.

We believe that for the past several years the U.S. commercial print industry has experienced significant levels of excess 
capacity. Our business seeks to capitalize on imbalances between supply and demand in the print industry by obtaining favorable 
pricing terms from suppliers in our network with excess capacity. Reduced excess capacity in the print industry generally, and in our 
supplier network specifically, could have an adverse impact on our ability to execute our business strategy and on our business results 
and growth prospects.

Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights may impair our competitive position.

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, our competitors could replicate our proprietary technology and 
processes and offer similar services, which would harm our competitive position. We rely primarily on a combination of trademark 
and trade secret laws and confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements to protect our proprietary technology. We cannot be certain 
that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe or 
misappropriate our rights or imitate or duplicate our services or methodologies. We may need to litigate to enforce our intellectual 
property rights or determine the validity and scope of the rights of others. Any such litigation could be time-consuming and costly.

If we are unable to maintain our proprietary technology, demand for our services, and, therefore our revenue could decrease.

We rely heavily on our proprietary technology to procure marketing materials for our clients. To keep pace with changing 
technologies and client demands, we must correctly interpret and address market trends and enhance the features and functionality 
of our technology in response to these trends, which may lead to significant research and development costs. We may be unable to 

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
accurately determine the needs of buyers or the trends in the marketing materials industry or to design and implement the appropriate 
features and functionality of our technology in a timely and cost-effective manner, which could result in decreased demand for our 
services and a corresponding decrease in our revenue.

In addition, we must protect our systems against physical damage from fire, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications 
failures, computer viruses, hacker attacks, physical break-ins and similar events. Any software or hardware damage or failure that 
causes interruption or an increase in response time of our proprietary technology could reduce client satisfaction and decrease usage 
of our services.

If the key members of our management team do not remain with us in the future, our business, operating results and financial 
condition could be adversely affected.

Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued services of Eric D. Belcher, our Chief Executive Officer, 
Jeffrey P. Pritchett, our Chief Financial Officer, Robert Burkart, our Chief Information Officer, and Ron Provenzano, our General 
Counsel. The loss of the services of these individuals could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition 
and could divert other senior management time in searching for their replacements.

We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates, effectively integrate newly acquired businesses or achieve expected 
profitability from acquisitions.

Part of our growth strategy is to increase our revenue and the markets that we serve through the acquisition of additional 
businesses. We are actively considering certain acquisitions and will likely consider others in the future. There can be no assurance 
that suitable candidates for acquisitions can be identified or, if suitable candidates are identified, that acquisitions can be completed 
on acceptable terms, if at all. Even if suitable candidates are identified, any future acquisitions may entail a number of risks that 
could adversely affect our business and the market price of our common stock, including the integration of the acquired operations, 
diversion of management’s attention, risks of entering markets in which we have limited experience, adverse short-term effects on 
our reported operating results, the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses and risks associated with unanticipated 
liabilities.

We have used, and expect to continue to use, shares of our common stock to pay for all or a portion of our acquisitions. If the 
owners of potential acquisition candidates are not willing to receive our common stock in exchange for their businesses, our acquisition 
prospects could be limited.  Future acquisitions could also result in accounting charges, potentially dilutive issuances of equity 
securities and increased debt and contingent liabilities, including liabilities related to unknown or undisclosed circumstances, any 
of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our common stock.

Our business is subject to seasonal sales fluctuations, which could result in volatility or have an adverse effect on the market 
price of our common stock.

Our business is subject to some degree of sales seasonality. Historically, the percentage of our annual revenue earned during 
the third and fourth fiscal quarters has been higher due, in part, to a greater number of orders for marketing materials in anticipation 
of the year-end holiday season. If our business continues to experience seasonality, we may incur significant additional expenses 
during our third and fourth quarters, including additional staffing expenses. Consequently, if we were to experience lower than 
expected revenue during any future third or fourth quarter, whether from a general decline in economic conditions or other factors 
beyond our control, our expenses may not be offset, which would have a disproportionate impact on our operating results and financial 
condition for that year. Such fluctuations in our operating results could result in volatility or have an adverse effect on the market 
price of our common stock.

Price fluctuations in raw materials costs could adversely affect the margins on our orders.

Our business relies on a constant supply of various raw materials, including paper and ink. Prices within the print industry 
are directly affected by the cost of paper, which is purchased in a price sensitive market that has historically exhibited price and 
demand cyclicality. Prices are also affected by the cost of ink. Our profit margin and profitability are largely a function of the rates 
that our suppliers charge us compared to the rates that we charge our clients. If our suppliers increase the price of our orders, and 
we are not able to find suitable or alternative suppliers, our profit margin may decline.

If any of our products cause damages or injuries, we may experience product liability claims.

14

 
 
 
 
 
Clients and third parties who claim to suffer damages or an injury caused by our products may bring lawsuits against us. 
Defending lawsuits arising out of any of the products we provide to our clients could be costly and absorb substantial amounts of 
management attention, which could adversely affect our financial performance. A significant product liability judgment against us 
could harm our reputation and business.

If any of our key clients fails to pay for our services, our profitability would be negatively impacted.

We take full title and risk of loss for the products we procure from our suppliers. Our obligation to pay our suppliers is not 
contingent upon receipt of payment from our clients. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, our revenue was $1,029.4 million, $1,000.1 million 
and $891.0 million, respectively, and our top ten clients accounted for 27%, 28% and 30%, respectively, of such revenue. If any of 
our key clients fails to pay for our services, our profitability would be negatively impacted.

Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, and our failure to raise capital when needed could prevent us from 
growing.

We may in the future be required to raise capital through public or private financing or other arrangements. Such financing 
may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all, and our failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business. Additional 
equity financing may be dilutive to the holders of our common stock, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants 
and could reduce our profitability. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to grow our business or respond 
to competitive pressures.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

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

The trading prices of many small, mid-cap companies are highly volatile. Since our initial public offering in August 2006 
through December 31, 2015, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market has ranged from 
a low of $1.92 on March 2, 2009 to a high of $18.69 on October 9, 2007.

Certain factors may continue to cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, including:

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to 
us;
changes in market valuations of similar companies;
changes in economic and political conditions in the United States or abroad;
success of competitive products or services;
changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of debt or equity securities;
announcements  by  us,  our  competitors,  our  clients  or  our  suppliers  of  significant  products  or  services,  contracts, 
acquisitions or strategic alliances;
regulatory developments in the United States or foreign countries;
litigation involving our company, our general industry or both;
additions or departures of key personnel;
investors’ general perception of us; and
changes in general industry and market conditions.

In addition, if the stock market in general experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock 
could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations.  If any of the foregoing occurs, it 
could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to class action lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend 
and a distraction to management.  As a result, you could lose all of part of your investment.

Our quarterly results are difficult to predict and may vary from quarter to quarter, which may result in our failure to meet the 
expectations of investors and increased volatility of our stock price.

The continued use of our services by our clients depends, in part, on the business activity of our clients and our ability to meet 
their cost saving needs, as well as their own changing business conditions. The time between our payment to the supplier and our 
receipt of payment from our clients varies with each job and client. In addition, a significant percentage of our revenue is subject to 
the discretion of our enterprise and transactional clients, who may stop using our services at any time, subject, in the case of most 
of our enterprise clients, to advance notice requirements. Therefore, the number, size and profitability of jobs may vary significantly   

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
from quarter to quarter.  As a result, our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and may fall below the expectations of 
current or potential investors in some future quarters, which could lead to significant variations in the market price of our stock.  The 
factors that are likely to cause these variations include:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

the demand for our marketing execution solutions;
the use of outsourced enterprise solutions;
clients’ business decisions regarding the quantities of marketing materials they purchase;
the number, timing and profitability of our jobs, unanticipated contract terminations and job postponements;
new product introductions and enhancements by our competitors;
changes in our pricing policies;
our ability to manage costs, including personnel costs; and
costs related to possible acquisitions of other businesses.

Concentration of ownership of our common stock among our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders may prevent 
investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.

As of December 31, 2015, our executive officers, directors and stockholders of more than 10% of our common stock beneficially 
owned or controlled approximately 29.9% of our common stock. If these stockholders choose to act together, they may be able to 
exercise significant influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, any amendments 
to our certificate of incorporation and significant corporate transactions. Without the consent of these stockholders, we could be 
delayed or prevented from entering into transactions (including the acquisition of our company by third parties) that may be viewed 
as beneficial to us or our other stockholders. In addition, this significant concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the 
trading price of our common stock if investors perceive disadvantages in owning stock in a company with controlling stockholders.

We do not currently intend to pay dividends, which may limit the return on your investment in us.

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and 
any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the 
foreseeable future.

If our board of directors authorizes the issuance of preferred stock, holders of our common stock could be diluted and harmed.

Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to establish 
the  preferred  stock’s  voting  powers,  preferences  and  other  rights  and  qualifications  without  any  further  vote  or  action  by  the 
stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and dividend liquidation rights of the holders 
of common stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to 
acquire, or discouraging a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise adversely affect the 
market price of our common stock. It is possible that we may need to raise capital through the sale of preferred stock in the future.

16

 
 
 
 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.  

Item 2. Properties

Properties

Our principal executive offices are located in Chicago, Illinois. We have 24 other office locations in the United States and 42
office locations in 39 other countries around the world. These other offices are located in Canada, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, 
Argentina, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Russia, China, Hong Kong, 
Australia and various other countries, and are principally used for sales, operations, finance, administration and warehousing. We 
believe that our facilities are generally suitable to meet our needs for the foreseeable future; however, we will continue to seek 
additional space as needed to satisfy our growth. All of the properties where we conduct our business are leased. The terms of the 
leases vary and have expiration dates ranging from December 31, 2015 to November 21, 2021.  

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

For information on our legal proceedings, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report 

on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

17

  
 
 
 
 
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

PART II

Market Information

Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “INWK”. The following table 
sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market for each of the periods 
listed.

2015
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

2014
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

Holders

High

Low

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$

7.86
7.05
8.10
8.69

8.62
8.86
8.96
9.44

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$

4.94
5.95
6.22
6.21

6.79
6.90
7.80
6.56

As of March 10, 2016, there were 34 holders of record of our common stock. The holders of our common stock are entitled 

to one vote per share.

Dividends

We currently do not intend to pay any dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all available funds and any future 
earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Any determination in the future to pay dividends will depend upon 
our financial condition, capital requirements, operating results and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors, including 
any contractual or statutory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On October 5, 2015, we issued 182,960 unregistered shares of our common stock to the sellers of Xpando Media (Ireland) 

Limited, a private limited company incorporated in Ireland (“Xpando”). The shares were issued as partial consideration in 
connection with the acquisition of Xpando in 2013. 

On June 10, 2015, we issued 55,293 unregistered shares of our common stock to the sellers of Idea Media Services, LLC, 

an Illinois limited liability company (“Idea Media”). The shares were issued as partial consideration in connection with the 
acquisition of Idea Media in 2012. 

All such shares of common stock were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4a(2) 

of the Securities Act, as the shares were issued to the owners of a business acquired in a privately negotiated transaction not 
involving a public offering or solicitation.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On  February  12,  2015,  we  announced  that  our  Board  of  Directors  approved  a  share  repurchase  program  providing  us 
authorization to repurchase up to an aggregate of $20.0 million of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated 
transactions over a two-year period. The timing and amount of any share repurchases will be determined based on market conditions, 

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
share price and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. Repurchases will be made in compliance 
share price and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. Repurchases will be made in compliance 
with SEC rules and other legal requirements. 
with SEC rules and other legal requirements. 

During the three months ended December 31, 2015, we did not repurchase any of our common stock under our share repurchase 
During the three months ended December 31, 2015, we did not repurchase any of our common stock under our share repurchase 
program and purchased a small number of shares delivered by employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon 
program and purchased a small number of shares delivered by employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon 
the vesting of restricted stock. The following table provides information relating to our purchase of shares of our common stock in 
the vesting of restricted stock. The following table provides information relating to our purchase of shares of our common stock in 
the fourth quarter of 2015 (in thousands, except per share amounts): 
the fourth quarter of 2015 (in thousands, except per share amounts): 

Period
Period

10/1/15-10/31/15
10/1/15-10/31/15

11/1/15-11/30/15
11/1/15-11/30/15

12/1/15-12/31/15
12/1/15-12/31/15

Total
Total

Number of 
Number of 
Shares 
Shares 
Purchased(1)
Purchased(1)

Average Price
Average Price
Paid Per
Paid Per
Share
Share

Total Number of Shares
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
Plans or Programs

Maximum Number of 
Maximum Number of 
Shares that May Yet Be 
Shares that May Yet Be 
Purchased Under the 
Purchased Under the 
Plans or Programs(2)
Plans or Programs(2)

— $
— $

3
3

—
—

3
3

$
$

—
—

7.93
7.93

—
—

7.93
7.93

—
—

—
—

—
—

—
—

2,019
2,019

1,764
1,764

2,014
2,014

(1)  Includes 2,968 shares delivered to us by employees to satisfy the mandatory tax withholding requirement upon vesting of restricted stock. 
(1)  Includes 2,968 shares delivered to us by employees to satisfy the mandatory tax withholding requirement upon vesting of restricted stock. 
(2)  The share repurchase plan authorized by our Board of Directors allows repurchases of up to $20 million of our common stock. The maximum 
(2)  The share repurchase plan authorized by our Board of Directors allows repurchases of up to $20 million of our common stock. The maximum 
number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the plan is estimated using the closing share price on the last day of each period presented.
number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the plan is estimated using the closing share price on the last day of each period presented.

Stock Performance Graph 
Stock Performance Graph 

The information contained in the following chart is not considered to be “soliciting material,” or “filed,” or incorporated by 
The information contained in the following chart is not considered to be “soliciting material,” or “filed,” or incorporated by 
reference in any past or future filing by the Company under the Securities Act or Exchange Act unless, and only to the extent that, 
reference in any past or future filing by the Company under the Securities Act or Exchange Act unless, and only to the extent that, 
the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.
the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

The following graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2010 in the common stock of the Company, and each of 
The following graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2010 in the common stock of the Company, and each of 
the following indices and assumes reinvestment of any dividends.  The stock price performance on the graph below is not necessarily 
the following indices and assumes reinvestment of any dividends.  The stock price performance on the graph below is not necessarily 
indicative of future stock price performance.
indicative of future stock price performance.

Dec 31,
Dec 31,
2010
2010

Dec 31,
Dec 31,
2011
2011

Dec 31,
Dec 31,
2012
2012

Dec 31,
Dec 31,
2013
2013

Dec 31,
Dec 31,
2014
2014

Dec 31,
Dec 31,
2015
2015

INWK
INWK
NASDAQ Market Index
NASDAQ Market Index
Dow Jones Business Support Services Index
Dow Jones Business Support Services Index

$
$
$
$
$
$

100
100
100
100
100
100

$
$
$
$
$
$

19
19

142
142
98
98
104
104

$
$
$
$
$
$

210
210
114
114
130
130

$
$
$
$
$
$

119
119
157
157
173
173

$
$
$
$
$
$

119
119
179
179
178
178

$
$
$
$
$
$

115
115
189
189
196
196

 
 
 
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table presents selected consolidated financial and other data as of and for the periods indicated. You should 
read the following information together with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis 
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

(270)

(37,873)

(31,331)

(27,689)

Consolidated statements of operations data:

Revenue

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Depreciation and amortization

Preference claim settlement charge

VAT settlement charge

Goodwill impairment charge

Intangible asset impairment charges

Restructuring and other charges

Income (loss) from operations

Gain on sale of investments

Interest income

Interest expense

Other, net

Total other income (expense)

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit)

Net income (loss)

Net income (loss) per share of common stock:

Basic

Diluted

Shares used in per share calculations:

Basic

Diluted

Consolidated balance sheet data:

Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital(1)
Total assets
Revolving credit facility(2)
Capital leases

Total stockholders’ equity

Year ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

$ 1,029,353

$ 1,000,133

$

890,960

$

789,585

$

632,314

789,159

240,194

196,194

17,472

770,674

229,459

195,006

17,723

688,934

202,026

183,444

13,664

612,026

177,559

146,124

10,790

—

—

37,539

202

1,053

(11,996)

—

69

(4,612)

(3,135)

(7,678)

(19,673)

12,665

—

—

—

2,710

—

51,893

—

57

(4,428)

(747)

(5,118)

46,775

2,313

—

—

37,908

—

4,322

(5,981)

—

76

(2,954)

(357)

(3,235)

(9,216)

(556)

1,099

1,485

—

—

—

45,750

1,196

66

94

(1,082)

44,668

5,874

(2,438)

(2,251)

484,932

147,382

115,818

10,172

(1,702)

950

—

—

—

—

22,144

3,948

182

—

1,879

24,023

7,407

16,616

0.36

0.34

$

$

$

(32,338) $

44,462

(0.61) $

(0.61) $

0.85

0.84

$

$

$

(8,660) $

38,794

(0.17) $

(0.17) $

0.79

0.76

$

$

$

52,791

52,791

52,096

53,104

50,875

50,875

48,811

51,240

46,428

48,818

$

30,755

$

22,578

$

18,606

$

17,219

$

85,873

608,467

99,258

—

95,160

631,250

104,539

—

57,766

614,667

69,000

—

84,489

514,780

65,000

—

13,219

65,815

457,653

60,000

65

258,027

296,147

245,442

242,952

181,725

(1)  Working capital represents accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, offset by accounts 

payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

(2)  The Company entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, subsequently amended most recently as of September 25, 2014 

to fund acquisitions and for general working capital purposes.

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, 
which  appear  elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form 10-K.  It  contains  forward-looking  statements  that  involve  risks  and 
uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of 
various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Part I, Item 
1A “Risk Factors.”

Overview

We are a leading global marketing execution firm for some of the world's most marketing intensive companies, including 
those in the Fortune 1000 brands, across a wide range of industries. As a comprehensive outsourced global solution, we leverage 
proprietary technology, an extensive supplier network, substantial procurement data, buying power and deep domain expertise to 
design, procure and execute branded marketing and promotional materials, signage and displays, retail experiences, events and 
promotions, creative services and product packaging across every major market worldwide. The items we source are generally 
procured through the marketing supply chain, and we refer to these items collectively as marketing materials. Our solution is 
designed to deliver substantial savings, shorter lead times, greater brand consistency, and more control and transparency across the 
marketing supply chain while delivering high-quality products and services for our clients. 

Our proprietary software applications and databases create a fully-integrated solution that stores, analyzes and tracks the 
production capabilities of our supplier network, as well as detailed pricing data. As a result, we have one of the largest independent 
repositories of supplier capabilities and pricing data for suppliers of marketing materials around the world. We leverage our supplier 
capabilities and pricing data to match our orders with suppliers that are optimally suited to meet the client’s needs at a highly 
competitive price.

Through our network of more than 9,000 global suppliers, we offer a full range of fulfillment and logistics services that allow 
us to procure marketing materials of virtually any kind. The breadth of our product offerings and services and the depth of our 
supplier network enable us to fulfill the marketing materials procurement needs of our clients. By leveraging our technology and 
data, our clients are able to reduce overhead costs, redeploy internal resources and obtain favorable pricing and service terms. In 
addition, our ability to track individual transactions and provide customized reports detailing procurement activity on an enterprise-
wide basis provides our clients with greater visibility and control of their marketing materials expenditures.

We generate revenue by procuring and purchasing products from our suppliers and selling those products to our clients. We 
procure products for clients across a wide range of industries, such as retail, financial services, hospitality, consumer packaged 
goods, non-profits, healthcare, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable, and transportation. Our clients fall into two categories, 
enterprise and transactional. We enter into contracts with our enterprise clients to provide some, or substantially all, of their marketing 
materials, typically on a recurring basis. We provide marketing materials to our transactional clients on an order-by-order basis.

As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately 1,600 employees and independent contractors in more than 39 countries. 
We organize our operations into three segments based on geographic regions: North America, Latin America and EMEA.   In 2015, 
we generated global revenue from third parties of $708.5 million in the North America segment, $95.9 million in the Latin America 
segment and $224.9 million in the EMEA segment. We believe the opportunity exists to expand our business into new geographic 
markets.  Our  objective  is  to  continue  to  increase  our  sales  in  the  United  States  and  internationally  by  adding  new  clients  and 
increasing our sales to existing clients through additional marketing execution services or geographic markets. We intend to hire 
or acquire more account executives within close proximity to these large markets.

Revenue

We generate revenue through the procurement of marketing materials for our clients. Our annual revenue was $1,029.4 
million, $1,000.1 million and $891.0 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, reflecting growth rates of 2.9% and 12.3% in 
2015 and 2014, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year. Our revenue is generated from two different types of 
clients: enterprise and tranactional. Enterprise clients usually order marketing materials in higher dollar amounts and volume than 
our transactional clients. We categorize a client as an enterprise client if we have a contract with the client for the provision of 
marketing materials on a recurring basis; if the client has signed an open-ended purchase order, or a series of related purchase 
orders; or if the client has enrolled in our e-stores program, which enables the client to make online purchases of marketing materials 
on a recurring basis. We categorize all other clients as transactional. We enter into contracts with our enterprise clients to provide 

21

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
some or a specific portion of their marketing products on a recurring basis. Our contracts with enterprise clients are generally three 
to five years, subject to termination by either party upon prior notice ranging from 90 days to twelve months.

Several of our enterprise clients have outsourced substantially all of their recurring marketing materials needs to us. We 
provide marketing materials to our transactional clients on an order-by-order basis. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014
and 2013, enterprise clients accounted for 85%, 79% and 77% of our revenue, respectively, while transactional clients accounted 
for 15%, 21% and 23% of our revenue, respectively.

Our revenue consists of the prices paid to us by our clients for marketing materials. These prices, in turn, reflect the amounts 
charged to us by our suppliers plus our gross profit. Our gross profit margin, in the case of some of our enterprise clients, is fixed 
by contract or, in the case of transactional clients, is dependent on prices negotiated on a job-by-job basis. Once either type of client 
accepts our pricing terms, the selling price is established and we procure the product for our own account in order to re-sell it to 
the client. We take full title and risk of loss for the product upon shipment. The finished product is typically shipped directly from 
our supplier to a destination specified by our client. Upon shipment, our supplier invoices us for its production costs and we invoice 
our client.

Our revenue from enterprise clients tends to generate lower gross profit margins than our revenue from transactional clients 
because the gross profit margins established in our contracts with large enterprise clients are generally lower than the gross profit 
margins typically realized in our transactional business. Although our enterprise revenue generates lower gross profit margins, our 
enterprise business tends to be as profitable as our transactional business on an operating profit basis because the commission 
expense associated with enterprise clients is generally lower.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of the price at which we purchase products from our suppliers. Our selling price, 
including our gross profit, in the case of some of our enterprise clients, is based on a fixed gross profit as a percentage of revenue, 
which we refer to as gross margin, established by contract or, in the case of transactional clients, is determined at the discretion of 
the account executive or production manager within predetermined parameters. Our gross margins on our enterprise clients are 
typically lower than our gross margins on our transactional clients. As a result, our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue 
for our enterprise clients is typically higher than those for our transactional clients. Our gross profit for years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014 and 2013 was $240.2 million, $229.5 million and $202.0 million, or 23.3%, 22.9% and 22.7% of revenue, respectively.

Operating Expenses and Income (Loss) from Operations

Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist of commissions paid to our account executives, compensation costs 
for our management team and production managers as well as compensation costs for our finance and support employees, public 
company expenses, and corporate systems, legal and accounting, facilities and travel and entertainment expenses. Selling, general 
and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 19.1%, 19.5% and 20.6% in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We accrue for commissions when we recognize the related revenue. Some of our account executives receive a monthly draw 
to provide them with a more consistent income stream. The cash paid to our account executives in advance of commissions earned 
is reflected as a prepaid expense on our balance sheet. As our account executives earn commissions, a portion of their commission 
payment is withheld and offset against their prepaid commission balance, if any. Our prepaid commission balance, net of accrued 
earned commissions not yet paid, decreased to $0.9 million as of December 31, 2015 from $3.0 million as of December 31, 2014.

We agree to provide our clients with marketing materials that conform to the industry standard of a “commercially reasonable 
quality,” and our suppliers in turn agree to provide us with products of the same quality. In addition, the quotes we execute with 
our clients include customary industry terms and conditions that limit the amount of our liability for product defects. Product defects 
have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations to date.

We are required to make payment to our suppliers for completed jobs regardless of whether our clients make payment to us. 

Our bad debt expense was approximately $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Our income (loss) from operations for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $(12.0) million, $51.9 million and $(6.0) million, respectively.

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition 

We recognize revenue upon meeting all of the following revenue recognition criteria, which is typically met upon shipment 
or delivery of our products to customers: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists through customer contracts and orders, 
(ii) the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, (iii) the sales price charged is fixed or determinable 
as evidenced by customer contracts and orders, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Unbilled revenue relates to shipments 
that have been made to customers for which the related account receivable has not yet been billed.

In accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations, we generally report revenue on a 
gross basis because we are the primary obligor in our arrangements to procure marketing materials and other products for our 
customers. Under these arrangements, we are responsible for the fulfillment, including the acceptability, of the marketing materials 
and other products. In addition, we (i) determine which suppliers are included in our network, (ii) have discretion to select from 
among the suppliers within our network, (iii) are obligated to pay our suppliers regardless of whether we are paid by our customers, 
and (iv) have reasonable latitude to establish exchange price. In some transactions, we also have general inventory risk and are 
involved in the determination of the nature or characteristics of the marketing materials and products. When we are not the primary 
obligor, revenues are reported on a net basis.

We recognize revenue for creative and other services provided to our customers which may be delivered in conjunction with 
the procurement of manufactured materials at the time when delivery and customer acceptance occur and all other revenue recognition 
criteria are met. We recognize revenue for creative and other services provided on a stand-alone basis upon completion of the 
service. Service revenue has not been material to our overall revenue to date.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the 
amounts that will not be collected. Management individually reviews all accounts receivable balances and, based on an assessment 
of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. These estimates of balances that 
will not be collected are based on historical write offs and recoveries of accounts receivable. The estimates of recovery can change 
based on actual experience and therefore can affect the level of reserves we place on existing accounts receivable. Fully reserved 
receivables are reviewed on a monthly basis and uncollectible accounts are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have 
been exhausted. We believe our reserve level is appropriate considering the quality of the portfolio as of December 31, 2015. While 
credit losses have historically been within expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that our credit loss 
experience will continue to be consistent with historical experience.

Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable 
intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized, 
but instead is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent 
any interim indicators of impairment, we test for goodwill impairment as of as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each 
year.

Under ASC 350, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the 
quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the quantitative test is required, in the first step, the fair value for each reporting unit is 
compared to its book value including goodwill. In the case that the fair value is less than the book value, a second step is performed 
which compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The fair value for the goodwill is determined 
based on the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the net fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities. 
If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the book value of the goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment.

We define our three reporting units as North America, Latin America and EMEA. At October 1, 2015, we elected to perform 
the quantitative impairment test for each of our three reporting units. In performing this test, we determined the fair value of the 
reporting units based on the income approach. Under the income approach, the fair value of a reporting unit is calculated based on 
the present value of estimated future cash flows. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we determined that our goodwill was impaired and  
recorded a non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $37.5 million at the EMEA reporting unit as a result of the test. For additional 
information related to the goodwill impairment, see the discussion of our results of operations below.

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment analysis required significant judgment. Our fair value estimates 
for purposes of determining the goodwill impairment charge are considered Level 3 fair value measurements. The fair value estimates 
were based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain, including estimates of 
future revenues and operating margins and assumptions about the overall economic climate and the competitive environment for 
the business.  

Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets other than goodwill acquired in business combinations are recorded at fair value. We review each business 
acquisition to identify intangible assets other than goodwill acquired, which include customer lists, non-competition agreements, 
patents, trade names and trademarks. Our significant acquired intangible assets subject to estimation of fair value primarily include 
acquired customer lists. For customer list assets, the nature of the customer relationships makes an estimation of the reproduction 
or replacement costs highly subjective. As there is a specific earnings stream that can be associated exclusively with the customer 
relationships, we believe that the discounted cash flow method is the most appropriate valuation methodology to determine the fair 
value of the customer relationships.

ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful 
lives to the estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment when impairment indicators exist. Our intangible assets consist 
of customer lists, trade names, noncompetion agreements and patents. Our customer lists are being amortized using the economic 
useful life method over their estimated weighted-average useful lives of approximately 14 years. Our noncompetion agreements, 
trade names and patents are being amortized on the straight-line basis over their estimated weighted-average useful lives. As of 
December 31, 2015, the net balance of our intangible assets was $37.7 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded a non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge of $0.2 million. For additional 

information related to the intangible asset impairment, see the discussion of our results of operations below.

Contingent Purchase Consideration

In connection with certain of our business acquisitions accounted for under ASC 805, contingent purchase consideration is 
payable  in  cash  or  shares  of  our  stock  upon  the  achievement  of  certain  performance  measures  over  future  periods.  For  these 
acquisitions, we have estimated and recorded the fair value of the purchase consideration obligation, whereby fair value is determined 
based on the present value of the potential contingent purchase price. We have recorded $22.2 million and $32.6 million in contingent 
purchase consideration obligations at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Changes in estimated fair value of the contingent 
purchase  consideration  obligations  are  recorded  in  our  results  from  operations. Adjustments  to  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the 
contingent purchase consideration are based on estimates of probability of achievement of earnings targets based on actual results 
and forecasts of the earnings of the companies acquired. These forecast estimates can change based on macroeconomic conditions 
as well as the overall success of the business in retaining existing business and gaining new business.

Stock-Based Compensation

We  account for  stock-based  compensation  awards  in  accordance  with  ASC  718,  Compensation-Stock  Compensation. 
Compensation expense is measured by determining the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes option valuation model 
for stock options or the closing share price for restricted shares. The fair value is then recognized over the requisite service period 
of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for the entire award. This valuation model requires 
assumptions, which impact the assumed fair value, including the expected life of the stock option, the risk-free interest rate, expected 
volatility of the our stock over the expected life and the expected dividend yield. We use historical data to determine these assumptions 
and if these assumptions change significantly for future grants, share-based compensation expense will fluctuate in future years.

Expected term is estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual 
terms  of  the  stock-based  awards,  vesting  schedules  and  expectations  of  future  employee  behavior.  We  believe  that  historical 
experience provides the best estimate of future expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on actual U.S. Treasury zero-coupon 
rates for bonds commensurate with the expected term. The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility of 
our common stock over a period commensurate with the expected term.

Stock-based compensation cost recognized during the period is based on the portion of the share-based payment awards that 
are ultimately expected to vest. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost recognized has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. 
Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those 
estimates.

24

 
 
 
 
 
We recorded $5.9 million, $5.4 million and $4.7 million in compensation expense related to stock-based compensation, for 

the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

Income Taxes

We operate in numerous states and countries through our various subsidiaries, and must allocate our income, expenses, and 
earnings under the various laws and regulations of each of these taxing jurisdictions. Accordingly, our provision for income taxes 
represents our total estimate of the liability that we have incurred in doing business each year in all of our locations. Deferred 
income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax 
bases and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. In determining whether 
we need to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, management must make a number of estimates, assumptions 
and judgments, including estimates of future earnings and taxable income. We establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred 
tax assets to the amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. The determination to record or release valuation allowances 
requires significant judgment.

As a result of certain realization requirements of ASC 718, we have not recorded certain deferred tax assets that arose directly 
from tax deductions related to equity compensation that are greater than the compensation recognized for financial reporting. As 
of December 31, 2015, we have $13.8 million and $11.3 million in federal and state tax deductions, respectively, related to stock 
option exercises which have not been recorded but are available to reduce taxable income in future periods. These deductions will 
be recorded to additional paid in capital in the period in which they are realized.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 
Taxes (Topic 740), (“ASU 2015-17”), which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. ASU 2015-17 provides presentation 
requirements to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent in the Balance Sheet. The standard will be effective for 
financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. 
Early  adoption  is  permitted  for  financial  statements  that  have  not  been  previously  issued.  The ASU  may  be  applied  either 
prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. We evaluated the impact of adopting 
the new start on our consolidated financial statements and decided to apply the changes prospectively. The adoption resulted in 
$1.9 million of net current deferred tax assets being reclassified to non-current in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 
2015. Adoption had no impact on our results of operations.

In September 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-15, Business Combinations (Topic 805), (“ASU 
2015-16”). The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified 
during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. For public business entities, 
the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal 
years. The amendments are to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of 
ASU 2015-16 with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company does not expect 
ASU 2015-16 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In August 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-15, Interest- Imputation of Interest: Presentation and 
Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs 
Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (Topic 835), ("ASU 2015-15"). ASU 2015-15 clarifies the treatment 
of debt issuance costs from line-of-credit arrangements after the adoption of ASU 2015-03. In particular, ASU 2015-15 clarifies 
that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing 
the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding 
borrowings  on  the  line-of-credit  arrangement.  The  Company  does  not  expect ASU  2015-15  to  have  a  material  impact  on  its 
consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), 
(“ASU 2014-9”), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles 
that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. In 
August  2015,  the  FASB  issued Accounting  Standards  Update  2015-14,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  (Topic  606): 
Deferral of the Effective Date, (“ASU 2015-14”) which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year. Public 
business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to 
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. 
Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting 

25

 
 
 
 
periods within that reporting period. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting these standards on our consolidated financial 
statements. 

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement 
of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 applies to inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. 
Under the updated guidance, an entity should measure inventory that is within scope at the lower of cost and net realizable value, 
which is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal 
and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory that is measured using last-in, last-out (LIFO). The standard 
is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and should be applied prospectively with early 
adoption permitted at the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We do not expect ASU 2015-11 to have a material 
impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-5, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use 
Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, (“ASU 2015-5”). This 
update  provides  guidance  to  customers  about  whether  a  cloud  computing  arrangement  includes  a  software  license.  If  a  cloud 
computing  arrangement  includes  a  software  license,  then  the  customer  should  account  for  the  software  license  element  of  the 
arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal 
years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The new guidance is to be applied either prospectively to new cloud 
computing arrangements or retrospectively. We do not expect ASU 2015-5 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial 
statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-3, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), 
(“ASU 2015-3”), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. This guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented 
in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. 
The standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early 
adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance should be applied on a 
retrospective basis. We do not expect ASU 2015-3 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-1, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual 
Items (Subtopic 225-20), (“ASU 2015-1”). ASU 2015-1 eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The standard 
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided 
that  guidance  is  applied  from  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  period  of  adoption.  Companies  may  also  apply  the  amendments 
retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We do not expect ASU 2015-1 to have a material impact 
on our consolidated financial statements. 

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going 
Concern, (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise 
substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide disclosures in certain circumstances. The 
standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We do not expect ASU 2015-1 to have a 
material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-8, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures 
of Disposals of Components of an Entity, (“ASU 2014-8”). ASU 2014-8 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations 
than currently exists under GAAP. The standard requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) 
that represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial 
statements as discontinued operations. The standard also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures 
of discontinued operations. The standard is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of businesses as held-for-sale) 
of components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted ASU 2014-8 
on January 1, 2015, and it did not have an effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

In  February  2016,  the  FASB  issued Accounting  Standards  Update  2016-02,  Leases  (Topic 842),  (“ASU  2016-2”). ASU 
2016-2 is aimed at making leasing activities more transparent and comparable. The new standard requires substantially all leases 
be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including today’s operating 
leases. For public business entities, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim 
periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted for all entities. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 
2016-2 on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

26

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data for the periods presented as a percentage of our 

revenue:

Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Operating expenses:

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
Goodwill impairment charge
Intangible asset impairment charges
Restructuring and other charges

Income (loss) from operations
Other income (expense):

Interest income
Interest expense
Other, net

Total other expense
Income (loss) before taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Net income (loss)

Year ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

100.0 %
76.7 %
23.3 %

100.0 %
77.1 %
22.9 %

100.0 %
77.3 %
22.7 %

19.1 %
1.7 %
— %
3.6 %
— %
0.1 %
(1.2)%

— %
(0.4)%
(0.3)%
(0.7)%
(1.9)%
1.2 %
(3.1)%

19.5 %
1.8 %
(3.8)%
— %
0.3 %
— %
5.2 %

— %
(0.4)%
(0.1)%
(0.5)%
4.7 %
0.2 %
4.4 %

20.6 %
1.5 %
(3.5)%
4.3 %
— %
0.5 %
(0.7)%

— %
(0.4)%
— %
(0.4)%
(1.1)%
(0.1)%
(1.0)%

Comparison of years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 

Revenue

Our revenue by segment for each of the years presented was as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31,

North America
Latin America
EMEA

Net revenues from third parties

$

2015
708,532
95,939
224,882
$ 1,029,353

% of Total

2014
688,942
99,734
211,457
100.0% $ 1,000,133

68.8% $
9.3
21.9

% of Total

68.9% $
10.0
21.1

100.0% $

2013
657,989
88,016
144,955
890,960

% of Total

73.8%
9.9
16.3
100.0%  

2015 compared to 2014. Our revenue increased by $29.3 million, or 2.9%, from $1,000.1 million in 2014 to $1,029.4 million

in 2015.

North America

North America revenue increased by $19.6 million, or 2.8%, from $688.9 million in 2014 to $708.5 million in 2015. This 
increase was driven primarily by organic growth from new enterprise clients added during the last 12 to 24 months, partially offset 
by a reduction in our transactional client activity during the year ended December 31, 2015.

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Latin America  

Latin America revenue decreased by $3.8 million, or 3.8%, from $99.7 million in 2014 to $95.9 million in 2015. This decrease 
was driven primarily by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar. Excluding foreign currency impacts, Latin America revenue increased 
by approximately $20.9 million, or 20.9%, primarily due to organic growth from new and existing enterprise customers. 

EMEA

EMEA revenue increased by $13.4 million, or 6.3%, from $211.5 million in 2014 to $224.9 million in 2015. This increase 
was driven primarily by organic growth from new and existing enterprise customers. Excluding foreign currency impacts, EMEA 
revenue increased by approximately $51.4 million, or 24.3%.

2014 compared to 2013. Our revenue increased by $109.2 million, or 12.3%, from $891.0 million in 2013 to $1,000.1 million

in 2014. 

North America

North America revenue increased by $30.9 million, or 4.7%, from $658.0 million in 2013 to $688.9 million in 2014. This 

increase is driven primarily by organic new enterprise account growth.

Latin America  

Latin America revenue increased by $11.7 million, or 13.1%, from $88.0 million in 2013 to $99.7 million in 2014. This 
decrease is driven primarily by organic new enterprise account growth and existing customer growth in the region, offset by foreign 
currency exchange rate impact of approximately $9.1 million. Excluding foreign currency impacts, Latin America revenue growth 
was $20.0 million, or 22.4%. 

EMEA

EMEA revenue increased by $66.5 million, or 45.9%, from $145.0 million in 2013 to $211.5 million in 2014. This increase 
is driven primarily by a full year of revenue from 2013 acquisitions of $42.6 million and $29.0 million, or 20%, organic growth 
from new enterprise and growth with existing customers. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates was immaterial for the 
full year.

Cost of goods sold

2015 compared to 2014.  Our cost of goods sold increased by $18.5 million, or 2.4%, from $770.7 million in 2014 to $789.2 
million in 2015. The increase is a result of higher revenue in 2015. Our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was 76.7%
in 2015 and 77.1% in 2014. 

2014 compared to 2013.  Our cost of goods sold increased by $81.7 million, or 11.9%, from $688.9 million in 2013 to $770.7 
million in 2014. The increase is a result of the revenue growth in 2014. Our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was 
77.1% in 2014 and 77.3% in 2013.

Gross Profit

2015 compared to 2014.  Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue, which we refer to as gross margin, was 23.3% in 2015

and 22.9% in 2014. This increase was primarily driven by favorable product category mix in 2015 compared to 2014.

2014 compared to 2013. Our gross margin increased from 22.7% in 2013 to 22.9% in 2014. This increase was primarily 

driven by favorable product category mix in 2014 compared to 2013.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

2015 compared to 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 0.6%, from $195.0 million
in 2014 to $196.2 million in 2015. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from 19.5%
in  2014  to  19.1%  in  2015. The  increase  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  is  primarily  due  to  incremental  sales 
commission and cost of procurement staff to secure new enterprise accounts.

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
2014 compared to 2013. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $11.6 million, or 6.3%, from $183.4 
million in 2013 to $195.0 million in 2014. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from 
20.6% in 2013 to 19.5% in 2014. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to incremental sales 
commission and cost of procurement staff to secure new enterprise accounts, $2.1 million of restatement-related professional fees 
incurred during the first quarter of 2014 related to Productions Graphics and a reserve of $0.9 million for the loss on a secured asset 
sold to a transactional customer in 2013, offset by $2.6 million in payments made to the former owner of Productions Graphics, 
net of cash recovered, during 2013. Excluding restatement-related professional fees, payments to the former owner of Productions 
Graphics in each period and the secured asset reserve, selling general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 
20.3% and 19.2% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. This decrease is due to leverage from increased sales over fixed selling, general 
and administrative expenses and the elimination of losses from our Small and Medium Business (“SMB”) division. See Note 9 of 
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information 
related to Productions Graphics.

Depreciation and amortization

2015 compared to 2014. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $0.2 million, or 1.4%, from $17.7 million in 
2014 to $17.5 million in 2015. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from 1.8% in 2014 to 
1.7% in 2015. This decrease is primarily driven by customer list amortization which follows the economic life method and generally 
declines over the life of the asset.

2014 compared to 2013. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $4.0 million, or 29.7%, from $13.7 million in 
2013 to $17.7 million in 2014. This increase is due to a full year of amortization of intangibles related to 2013 acquisitions as well 
as additional depreciation related to the Company’s global enterprise resource planning system for which implementation began in 
the third quarter of 2013. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expense increased from 1.5% in 2013 to 1.8%
in 2014.

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

2015 compared to 2014. Income from the change in fair value of contingent consideration decreased by $37.6 million, or 
99.3%, from $37.9 million in 2014 to $0.3 million in 2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to adjustments made to the 
contingent consideration liabilities related to DB Studios and Productions Graphics in 2015.

2014 compared to 2013. Income from the change in fair value of contingent consideration increased by $6.5 million, or 
20.9%, from $31.3 million in 2013 to $37.9 million in 2014. Included in these amounts are $26.6 million and $7.2 million of 
reductions in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability in 2013 and 2014, respectively, related to the acquisition of 
Productions Graphics. As of December 31, 2014, the fair value of the potential remaining $41.9 million contingent consideration 
payments was zero as we believe the likelihood of making any future payments is remote. See Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information related to Productions Graphics.

Also included in the 2014 amount is a $30.4 million adjustment to reduce the liability relating to the DB Studios acquisition 
in 2013 due to a decrease in forecasted results. As of December 31, 2014, the fair value of the potential remaining $44.3 contingent 
consideration payments was estimated to be $5.2 million.

Goodwill impairment charge

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of $37.5 million, 

$0.0 million and $37.9 million, respectively. 

2015 Goodwill Impairment Charge

We performed our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2015. In the first step of the impairment test, we concluded that 
the carrying amount of the EMEA reporting unit exceeded its fair value, requiring us to perform the second step of the impairment 
test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The fair values of the North America and Latin America reporting units 
exceeded their carrying values, and the second step was not necessary. 

Based upon fair value estimates of long-lived assets and discounted cash flows of the EMEA reporting unit, we compared 
the implied fair value of the goodwill in this reporting unit with the carrying value. The test resulted in a $37.5 million non-cash, 
goodwill impairment charge which was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2015. No tax benefit is recognized on the goodwill 
impairment. This charge had no impact on our cash flows or compliance with debt covenants.

29

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
2013 Goodwill Impairment Charge

In the third quarter of 2013, a change in our identified reporting units along with a decline in forecasted financial performance 
in fiscal year 2013 compelled management to perform an interim goodwill impairment test for its reporting units as of September 
30, 2013. In the first step of the impairment test, we concluded that the carrying amount of the EMEA reporting unit exceeded its 
fair value, requiring the Company to perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if 
any. The fair values of the North America and Latin America reporting units exceeded their carrying values, and the second step 
was not necessary.

Based upon fair value estimates of long-lived assets and discounted cash flows of the EMEA reporting unit, we compared 
the implied fair value of the goodwill in this reporting unit with the carrying value. The test resulted in a $37.9 million non-cash, 
goodwill impairment charge which was  recognized  in the third quarter  of 2013. No tax benefit is recognized on  the goodwill 
impairment. This charge had no impact on our cash flows or compliance with debt covenants.

Intangible asset impairment charges

           In the fourth quarter of 2015, we recognized a $0.2 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related to certain 
customer lists acquired in prior year business combinations within the EMEA segment. Due to the loss of specific customers included 
in the lists, the undiscounted projected cash flows from those customers did not exceed the recorded book value of the customer 
lists as of December 31, 2015. 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we recognized a $2.7 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related to certain 
customer  lists  acquired  in  prior  year  business  combinations.  Due  to  the  loss  of  specific  customers  included  in  the  lists,  the 
undiscounted  projected  cash  flows  from  those  customers  did  not  exceed  the  recorded  book  value  of  the  customer  lists  as  of 
December 31, 2014. Of the total charge, $2.4 million related to customer lists in the North America segment, and $0.3 million 
related to customer lists in the EMEA segment.

Restructuring and asset write down charges

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded restructuring and other charges of $1.1 million, 

$0.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, management approved a global realignment plan that is expected to allow the Company 
to more efficiently meet client needs across its international platform. Through improved integration of global resources, the plan 
will create back office and other efficiencies and allow for the elimination of approximately 100 positions deemed unnecessary and 
result in annual profit improvement of approximately $5.0 to $6.0 million once fully implemented.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized $1.1 million in restructuring charges related to this plan 
of which $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.8 million related to the North America, Latin America and EMEA segments, respectively.  
This plan is expected to be completed during 2016.

No restructuring charges were incurred during 2014.

During the third quarter of 2013, we commenced various restructuring actions which resulted in charges of $3.0 million 
during the quarter. These actions consisted of the termination of 49 employees who were provided with severance benefits in 
accordance with benefit plans previously communicated to the affected employee group or in accordance with local employment 
laws. The restructuring charges consisted of approximately $0.4 million of cash payments to the terminated employees and $2.6 
million of prepaid commission balances written off. Prepaid commission balances represent cash paid to our account executives in 
advance of commissions earned and is recorded in prepaid expenses on the balance sheet. For employees who had a balance and 
were affected by the restructuring actions, which primarily includes SMB account executives, we included these balances as part 
of the severance paid to these individuals.

Our SMB division was one of the principal groups affected by the restructuring actions noted above. Recent performance 
below expectations led us to carry out these restructuring initiatives, which included the employee terminations described above 
as well as a planned change from an exclusive cold calling strategy to more of a warm lead customer acquisition strategy through 
a channel partner. In addition to these restructuring charges, we also recognized a charge during the third quarter for the write-off 
of the prepaid commission balances of the remaining account executives in SMB. While these employees were not directly affected 

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
by the restructuring, a change in their compensation structure resulted in an additional $1.3 million write off in the third quarter of 
2013.

Income (loss) from operations

2015 compared to 2014.  Income (loss) from operations decreased by $63.9 million from $51.9 million in 2014 to $(12.0) 
million in 2015. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in income from the change in the fair value of contingent 
consideration, as well as the goodwill impairment charge and restructuring charges recognized in 2015, all of which are discussed 
above.

2014 compared to 2013.  Income (loss) from operations increased by $57.9 million from $(6.0) million in 2013 to $51.9 
million in 2014. As a percentage of revenue, income (loss) from operations was 5.2% and (0.7)% in 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in income from the change in the fair value of contingent consideration, as 
well as the goodwill impairment charge and restructuring charges recognized in 2013 which are discussed above.

 Other income and expense

2015 compared to 2014. Other expense increased by $2.6 million from $5.1 million in 2014 to $7.7 million in 2015. This 
increase was primarily attributable to an increase in foreign exchange loss due to a charge of $1.5 million for the remeasurement 
of the Company's net assets in Venezuela.

2014 compared to 2013. Other expense increased by $1.9 million from $3.2 million in 2013 to $5.1 million in 2014. The 
increase is primarily attributable to an increase in interest expense of $1.5 million due to higher borrowing levels and a $0.4 million
increase in foreign currency losses due to a decline in exchange rates for certain assets denominated in foreign currencies.

Provision for income taxes  

2015 compared to 2014. Income tax expense increased by $10.4 million from tax expense of $2.3 million in 2014 to tax 
expense of $12.7 million in 2015. Our effective income tax rate was (64.4)% and 4.9% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective 
income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, 
state and local taxes, and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can 
be impacted each period by discrete factors and events.

The effective tax rates for 2015 and 2014 were affected by the fair value changes to contingent consideration and the goodwill 
impairment charge. Portions of the total gain recognized from fair value changes to contingent consideration relate to non-taxable 
acquisitions for which deferred taxes are not recognized, consistent with the treatment of goodwill and intangible assets for those 
acquisitions under U.S. GAAP. $0.3 million and $37.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, was 
recognized as income from fair value changes to contingent consideration which did not result in recognition of a deferred tax 
liability, therefore, reducing the effective tax rate for these periods. This decrease was offset by the $37.5 million goodwill impairment 
charge in 2015 since the goodwill was not deductible and the impairment does not result in a tax benefit. 

Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2015, we recognized a $4.7 million non-cash charge to record valuation allowances on 
deferred tax assets of certain foreign operations affected by the global realignment which have net operating loss carryforwards 
and other deferred tax assets for which it is considered more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. Excluding the 
impact of these and other discrete factors and events during 2015, our effective tax rate was 40.2%.

2014 compared to 2013.  Income tax expense increased by $2.9 million from a tax benefit of $0.6 million in 2013 to tax 
expense of $2.3 million in 2014. Our effective income tax rate was 6.0% and 4.9% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Our effective 
income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, 
state and local taxes, and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can 
be impacted each period by discrete factors and events.

The effective tax rates for 2013 and 2014 were also affected by the fair value changes to contingent consideration and the 
goodwill impairment charge, as discussed above. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, $27.1 million and $37.1 million, 
respectively, was recognized as income from fair value changes to contingent consideration which did not result in recognition of 
a deferred tax liability, therefore, reducing the effective tax rate for these periods. This 2013 decrease was offset by the $37.9 million 
goodwill impairment charge since the goodwill was not deductible and the impairment does not result in a tax benefit. 

31

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

2015 compared to 2014.  Net income (loss) decreased by $76.8 million from $44.5 million in 2014 to $(32.3) million in 
2015. Net income (loss) as a percentage of revenue was (3.1)% and 4.4% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. This decrease was primarily 
attributable to a decrease in income from the change in the fair value of contingent consideration, as well as the goodwill impairment 
charge and restructuring charges recognized in 2015, all of which are discussed above.

2014 compared to 2013.  Net income (loss) increased by $53.1 million from $(8.7) million in 2013 to $44.5 million in 2014. 
Net income (loss) as a percentage of revenue was 4.4% and (1.0)% in 2014 and 2013, respectively. This increase is primarily 
attributable to an increase in income from the change in the fair value of contingent consideration, as well as the goodwill impairment 
charge and restructuring charges recognized in 2013 which are discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, which represents income from operations with the addition of depreciation and amortization, stock-based 
compensation expense, change in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and other amounts itemized in the reconciliation 
table below, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable 
financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. We present this measure as supplemental information to help our investors 
better understand trends in our business over time. Our management team uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of 
our business. Adjusted EBITDA is not equivalent to any measure of performance required to be reported under GAAP, nor should 
this data be considered an indicator of our overall financial performance and liquidity. Moreover, the Adjusted EBITDA definition 
we use may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our Adjusted EBITDA by segment for 
each of the years presented was as follows:

North America
Latin America
EMEA
Other(1)
Adjusted EBITDA

Year ended December 31,

2015

% of Total

2014

% of Total

2013

% of Total

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

64,612
6,380
8,655
(27,751)
51,896

124.5% $
12.3
16.7
(53.5)
100.0% $

57,662
5,273
5,893
(25,990)
42,838

134.6% $
12.3
13.8
(60.7)
100.0% $

51,873
3,098
764
(28,834)
26,901

192.8%
11.5
2.8
(107.1)
100.0%

(1) “Other” consists of intersegment eliminations, shared service activities and corporate expenses which are not allocated to the operating 

segments as management does not consider them in evaluating segment performance.

2015 compared to 2014.  Adjusted EBITDA increased by $9.1 million, or 21.1%, from $42.8 million in 2014 to $51.9 
million in 2015. North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $6.9 million, or 12.1%, from $57.7 million in 2014 to $64.6 
million in 2015 due to increased revenue and gross profit from organic growth of new enterprise customers. Latin America 
Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.1 million, or 21.0%, from $5.3 million in 2014 to $6.4 million in 2015 primarily due to 
organic growth of new enterprise customers. EMEA Adjusted EBITDA increased by $2.8 million from $5.9 million in 2014 to 
$8.7 million in 2015 primarily due to organic growth of new enterprise customers. Other Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $1.8 
million, or 6.8%, from $(26.0) million in 2014 to $(27.8) million in 2015 due to cost management and productivity gains. 

2014 compared to 2013.  Adjusted EBITDA increased by $15.9 million, or 59.2%, from $26.9 million in 2013 to $42.8 

million in 2014. North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $5.8 million, or 11.2%, from $51.9 million in 2013 to $57.7 
million in 2014 due to increased gross profit from organic new enterprise account growth. Latin America Adjusted EBITDA 
increased by $2.2 million, or 70.2%, from $3.1 million in 2013 to $5.3 million in 2014 due to organic new enterprise account 
growth. EMEA Adjusted EBITDA increased by $5.1 million from $0.8 million in 2013 to $5.9 million in 2014 due to a full year 
of gross margin from 2013 acquisitions in the EMEA region and organic enterprise account growth. Other Adjusted EBITDA 
increased by $2.8 million, or 9.9%, from expense of $28.8 million in 2013 to expense of $26.0 million in 2014 due to diligent 
cost management and productivity gains.

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for each of the years presented (in 

thousands): 

Net income (loss)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Total other expense
Depreciation and amortization
Stock-based compensation expense
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
Goodwill impairment charge
Intangible asset impairment charges
Restructuring and other charges
Payments to former owner of Productions Graphics, net of cash recovered
Legal fees in connection with patent infringement
Restatement-related professional fees
Secured asset reserve(1)
Adjusted EBITDA

Year ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

$

$

(32,338) $
12,665
7,678
17,472
5,873
(270)
37,539
202
1,053
—
—
—
2,022
51,896

$

44,462
2,313
5,118
17,723
5,352
(37,873)
—
2,710
—
—
—
2,093
940
42,838

$

$

(8,660)
(556)
3,235
13,664
4,733
(31,331)
37,908
—
4,322
2,625
961
—
—
26,901

(1) The Company accrued a reserve of $2.0 million and $0.9 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, on inventory in which it holds a security
      interest. The inventory was procured for a former transactional client. 

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share, which represents net income (loss), with the addition of the change in the fair value of 
contingent consideration liabilities, impairment charges and other amounts itemized in the reconciliation table below, divided by 
the weighted average shares outstanding plus share equivalents that would arise from the exercise of stock options and restricted 
stock and other contingently issuable shares, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations. Diluted earnings 
(loss) per share is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. We present this measure 
as supplemental information to help our investors better understand trends in our business over time. Our management team uses 
adjusted diluted earnings per share to evaluate the performance of our business. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is not equivalent 
to any measure of performance required to be reported under GAAP, nor should this data be considered an indicator of our overall 
financial performance and liquidity. Moreover, the adjusted diluted earnings per share definition we use may not be comparable to 
similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our adjusted diluted earnings per share for each of the years presented was 
as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Net income (loss)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration, net of tax
Goodwill impairment charge
Intangible asset impairment charges, net of tax
Restructuring and other charges, net of tax
Venezuela remeasurement charges
Secured asset reserve, net of tax(1)
Restatement-related professional fees, net of tax
Realignment-related income tax charges
Payments to former owner of Productions Graphics, net of cash recovered, net of tax
Legal fees in connection with patent infringement defense, net of tax

Numerator for adjusted diluted earnings per share

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

$

$

$

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015
(32,338) $
(282)
37,539
153
873
1,521
1,239
—
4,684
—
—
13,389
53,515
0.25

$

$

44,462
(37,571)
—
1,657
—
—
568
1,266
—
—
—
10,382
53,104
0.20

$

$

$

(8,660)
(29,658)
37,908
—
2,615
—
—
—
—
1,617
625
4,447
50,875
0.09

(1) The Company accrued a reserve of $2.0 million and $0.9 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, on inventory in which it holds a security
      interest. The inventory was procured for a former transactional client. 

33

 
 
 
 
 
Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table presents unaudited statement of income data for our most recent eight fiscal quarters. You should read 

the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations of any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be 
expected for any future period.

Mar 31,
2014(1)

June 30,
2014(2)

Sept 30,
2014(3)

Three months ended
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
2015
2014

June 30,
2015

Sept 30,
2015

Dec 31,
2015

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

$ 241,490

$ 260,350

$ 251,652

$246,641

$ 242,095

$ 252,227

$ 264,720

$ 270,311

54,584

289

58,927

1,605

57,098

5,114

58,850

37,454

55,065

1,139

58,980

1,431

63,611

4,983

62,538

(39,891)

Revenue

Gross profit

Net income (loss)

Earnings (loss) per share:

Basic

Diluted

$

$

0.01

0.01

$

$

0.03

0.03

$

$

0.10

0.10

$

$

0.71

0.69

$

$

0.02

0.02

$

$

0.03

0.03

$

$

0.09

0.09

$

$

(0.75)

(0.75)

Impact of Inflation

Since January 1, 2010, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy under GAAP. In accordance with 
GAAP, local subsidiaries in highly inflationary economies are required to use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency and 
remeasure the monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in U.S. dollars using the rate applicable to conversion of a currency 
for purposes of dividend remittances. All exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are recognized currently in 
income.

Prior to December 31, 2015, the Company translated the net assets and transactions of its Venezuelan subsidiary using the 
official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. In February 2015, the Venezuelan government introduced a new currency 
exchange system referred to as the SIMADI which is intended to be a market-driven rate and is more widely available than the 
official rate or the auction-based exchange system known as the SICAD. Based on the Company’s facts and circumstances as of 
December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was determined to be the most appropriate rate for reporting the operations of the Company’s 
Venezuelan subsidiary.

As of December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was approximately 198 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. The remeasurement of 
the Company’s net assets from the official rate of 6.3 to the SIMADI rate resulted in a foreign exchange loss of approximately $1.5 
million during the fourth quarter of 2015. This loss is included in other expense on the consolidated statement of operations. The 
combined value of the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary is less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2015. Further 
government regulation or changes in exchange rates could result in additional impairments of these assets. 

Inflation and changing prices did not have a material impact on our operations in 2014 or 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, subsequently amended most recently as of September 25, 
2014, among us, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The 
Credit Agreement includes a revolving commitment amount of $175 million in the aggregate with a maturity date of September 25, 
2019, and provides us the right to increase the aggregate commitment amount by an additional $50 million. Outstanding borrowings 
under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by our material domestic subsidiaries. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement 
and such domestic subsidiaries’ guaranty obligations are secured by substantially all of our respective assets. The ranges of applicable 
rates charged for interest on outstanding loans and letters of credit are 125-250 basis point spread for letter of credit fees and loans 
based on the Eurodollar rate and 25-150 basis point spread for loans based on the base rate. We are in compliance with all covenants 
contained in the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2015, we had $30.8 million of cash and cash equivalents.

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities.     Cash provided by (used in) operating activities primarily consists of net income adjusted for certain 
non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and the effect of 
changes in working capital and other activities. Cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was $43.4 million and primarily 
consisted of $73.2 million of non-cash items and $2.5 million provided by working capital, offset by $32.3 million of a net loss 
during the year. The most significant impact on working capital changes consisted of an increase in accounts receivable of $10.4 
million, an increase in inventories of $8.2 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $6.1 million, offset by a 
increase in accounts payable of $26.2 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $1.0 million. 

Cash used in operating activities in 2014 was $12.5 million and primarily consisted of $45.8 million used to fund working 
capital and $11.2 million of non-cash income items, offset by $44.5 million of net income during the year. The most significant 
impact on working capital changes consisted of a decrease in accounts payable of $25.2 million, an increase in accounts receivable 
of $14.8 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $7.3 million, offset by an increase in accrued expenses and 
other liabilities of $2.2 million. 

Cash provided by operating activities in 2013 was $37.4 million and primarily reflected net loss of $8.7 million, offset by 
non-cash items of $32.4 million and $13.6 million provided by working capital changes. The most significant impact on working 
capital changes consisted of an increase in accounts payable of $29.6 million, offset by a decrease in accrued expenses and other 
liabilities of $12.1 million and an increase in accounts receivable and unbilled revenue of $4.8 million.

Investing Activities.     In 2015, cash used in investing activities of $15.0 million was attributable to capital expenditures, 

primarily consisting of software development.

In 2014, cash used in investing activities of $14.7 million was primarily attributable to capital expenditures of $14.1 million. 

In 2013, cash used in investing activities of $31.5 million was attributable to capital expenditures of $12.2 million and 

payments made in connection with acquisitions of $19.3 million. 

Financing Activities.     In 2015, cash used in financing activities of $18.4 million was primarily attributable to $8.0 million
of payments of contingent consideration, $5.3 million of net repayments under our revolving credit facility and $4.9 million to 
acquire treasury stock.

In 2014, cash provided by financing activities of $32.3 million was primarily attributable to $35.5 million of net borrowings 
under our revolving credit facility and $2.6 million of borrowings under secured borrowing arrangements of certain international 
subsidiaries, offset by $5.8 million of payments of contingent consideration. 

In 2013, cash used in financing activities of $4.6 million was primarily attributable to $7.3 million of payments of contingent 
consideration  and  $2.6  million  of  excess  tax  benefits  from  stock-based  award  exercises,  offset  by  $4.0  million  of  additional 
borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $2.0 million of proceeds from stock option exercises.  

We will continue to utilize cash, in part, to invest in our innovative technology platform, fund acquisitions of or make strategic 
investments in complementary businesses and to expand our sales force. Although we can provide no assurances, we believe that 
our available cash and cash equivalents and the $54.3 million available under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet our 
working capital and operating expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. Thereafter, we may find it necessary to obtain 
additional equity or debt financing.

We earn a significant amount of our operating income outside the United States, which is deemed to be permanently reinvested 
in foreign jurisdictions. We do not currently foresee a need to repatriate funds; however, should we require more capital in the 
United States than is generated by our operations locally or through debt or equity issuances, we could elect to repatriate funds held 
in foreign jurisdictions. If foreign earnings were to be remitted to the United States, foreign tax credits would be available to reduce 
any U.S. tax due upon repatriation. Included in our cash and cash equivalents are amounts held by foreign subsidiaries. We had 
$15.1 million and $17.5 million foreign cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are 
generally denominated in the local currency where the funds are held.

35

 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2015, we had the following contractual obligations:

Accounts payable
Operating lease obligations
Due to seller
Secured borrowing arrangements
Revolving credit facility
Total

Payments due by period

Total

Less than 1
year

$

$

170,244
26,647
402
2,393
99,258
298,944

$

$

170,244
7,075
402
2,393
—
180,114

1-3 years
(in thousands)
$

— $

9,515
—
—
—
9,515

$

$

3-5 years

More than 5
years

— $

6,740
—
—
99,258
105,998

$

—
3,317
—
—
—
3,317

This table does not include contingent consideration obligations related to any acquisitions except for those included in 
“Due to seller”, as these payments are payable contingent upon the achievement of future performance measures not known at 
this time. As of December 31, 2015, the maximum payments potentially due on these contingent consideration obligations was 
$85.9 million. See Note 3 “Acquisitions” to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Commodity Risk

We are dependent upon the availability of paper, and paper prices represent a substantial portion of the cost of our products. 
The supply and price of paper depend on a variety of factors over which we have no control, including environmental and conservation 
regulations, natural disasters and weather. We believe a 10% increase in the price of paper would not have a significant effect on the 
Company’s consolidated statements of income or cash flows, as these costs are generally passed through to our clients.

Interest Rate Risk

We have exposure to changes in interest rates on our revolving credit facility. Interest is payable at the adjusted LIBOR rate 
or the alternate base rate. Assuming our $175.0 million revolving credit facility was fully drawn, a 1.0% increase in the interest rate 
would increase our annual interest expense by $1.75 million.

Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates, in particular because all of our investments 
are in cash equivalents.  The average duration of all of our investments as of December 31, 2015 was less than one year.  Due to the 
short-term nature of our investments, we believe that there is no material risk exposure.

Foreign Currency Risk

We transact business in various foreign currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, British pound sterling, Czech 
koruna, Peruvian Nuevo Sol, Colombian peso, Brazilian real, Mexican peso and Chilean peso, which exposes us to foreign currency 
risk. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we derived approximately 31.2% of our revenue from international customers, and we 
expect the percentage of revenue derived from outside the United States to increase in future periods as we continue to expand 
globally. Revenue and related expenses generated from our international operations are denominated in the functional currencies of 
the corresponding country. The functional currency of our subsidiaries that either operate or support these markets is generally the 
same as the corresponding local currency. The results of operations of, and certain of our intercompany balances associated with, 
our international operations are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Changes in exchange rates could negatively affect 
our revenue and other operating results as expressed in U.S. dollars. We may record significant gains or losses on the re-measurement 
of intercompany balances. Foreign exchange gains and losses recorded to date have been immaterial to our financial results. At this 
time we do not, but in the future we may enter into derivatives or other financial instruments in an attempt to hedge our foreign 
currency exchange risk. It is difficult to predict the impact hedging activities would have on our results of operations.

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

INNERWORKINGS, INC.:

Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The  financial  statements  were  prepared  by  management,  which  is  responsible  for  their  integrity  and  objectivity  and  for 

establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed 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. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

i. 

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of the assets of the Company;

ii.  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

iii.  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.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the 
circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurances with 
respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal controls may vary 
over time.

Management  assessed  the  design  and  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on this evaluation, 
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015 based on criteria in 
Internal Control –Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the financial statements of the Company for 
the  fiscal  years  ended  December 31,  2015,  2014  and  2013  and  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December 31, 2015. Their reports are presented on the following pages.

InnerWorkings, Inc.

March 10, 2016 

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 
2015 and 2014 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule 
listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in 
the  financial  statements.  An  audit  also  includes  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis 
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial 
position of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the consolidated results of its operations and 
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting 
principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements 
taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
InnerWorkings, Inc.’s and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(2013 framework) and our report dated March 10, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 10, 2016 

40

 
 
 
 
 
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries

We have audited InnerWorkings, Inc.’s and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, 
based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). InnerWorkings, Inc.’s and subsidiaries management is responsible 
for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over 
financial  reporting  included  in  the  accompanying  Management's  Report  on  Internal  Control  Over  Financial  Reporting.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the 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 the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. 
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 

reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the consolidated balance sheets of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated 
statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated March 10, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 10, 2016 

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries 
Consolidated Statements of Operations 
(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenue

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Depreciation and amortization

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

Goodwill impairment charge

Intangible asset impairment charges

Restructuring and other charges

Income (loss) from operations
Other income (expense):

Interest income

Interest expense

Other, net

Total other expense

Income (loss) before taxes

Income tax expense (benefit)

Net income (loss)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

1,029,353

$

1,000,133

$

789,159

240,194

196,194

17,472
(270)
37,539

202

1,053
(11,996)

69
(4,612)
(3,135)
(7,678)
(19,673)
12,665
(32,338) $

(0.61) $
(0.61) $

770,674

229,459

195,006

17,723
(37,873)
—

2,710

—

51,893

57
(4,428)
(747)
(5,118)
46,775

2,313

44,462

0.85

0.84

$

$

$

$

$

$

890,960

688,934

202,026

183,444

13,664

(31,331)

37,908

—

4,322

(5,981)

76

(2,954)

(357)

(3,235)

(9,216)

(556)

(8,660)

(0.17)

(0.17)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands) 

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Unrealized gains on marketable securities:

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

(32,338) $

44,462

$

(8,660)

(8,592)

(8,178)

2,505

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

Less: Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income

Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

Income tax benefit related to components of other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Comprehensive income (loss)

—

—

—
(8,592)
—
(8,592)
(40,930) $

—

—

—
(8,178)
—
(8,178)
36,284

$

$

1

(3)

(2)

2,503

1

2,504

(6,156)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
(In thousands, except per share data)

Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,231 and $2,685, respectively
Unbilled revenue
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Deferred income taxes
Other current assets

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangibles and other assets:

Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Deferred income taxes
Other non-current assets

Total intangibles and other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Current portion of contingent consideration
Due to seller
Other current liabilities
Accrued expenses
Total current liabilities
Revolving credit facility
Deferred income taxes
Contingent consideration, net of current portion
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10)
Stockholders' equity:

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 200,000 and 200,000 shares authorized, 62,645 and
61,852 shares issued, 53,098 and 52,830 shares outstanding, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock at cost, 9,547 and 9,021 shares, respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings

Total stockholders' equity
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

44

December 31,

2015

2014

$

$

$

30,755
188,819
30,758
33,327
14,353
—
31,825
329,837
32,681

206,257
37,715
586
1,391
245,949
608,467

170,244
11,387
402
31,363
11,603
224,999
99,258
12,898
10,775
2,510
350,440

22,578
179,466
31,699
27,163
12,684
1,819
28,819
304,228
29,764

246,948
44,920
3,904
1,487
297,259
631,251

144,045
9,078
402
30,637
9,990
194,152
104,539
9,967
23,504
2,942
335,104

6
213,566
(52,207)
(13,993)
110,655
258,027
608,467

$

6
207,429
(49,996)
(5,401)
144,109
296,147
631,251

$

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2012

60,736

$

6

10,535

$

(67,071) $

198,118

$

273

$

111,626

$

242,952

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-in-
Capital

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Retained
Earnings

Total

Net loss

Total other comprehensive income

Comprehensive loss

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock awards

660

—  

Issuance of treasury shares as consideration for acquisition

Excess tax benefit derived from stock award exercises

Stock-based compensation expense

(422)

4,759

1,594

490

(2,893)

4,733

2,504

(8,660)

(38)

(8,660)

2,504

(6,156)

1,594

5,211

(2,893)

4,733

Balance at December 31, 2013

61,396

6

10,113

(62,312)

202,042

2,777

102,928

245,441

Net income

Total other comprehensive loss

Comprehensive income

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock awards

456

—  

Issuance of treasury shares as consideration for acquisition

Excess tax benefit derived from stock award exercises

Stock-based compensation expense

(1,092)

12,316

(8,178)

44,462

(3,281)

44,462

(8,178)

36,284

182

9,035

(147)

5,352

182

(147)

5,352

Balance at December 31, 2014

61,852

6

9,021

(49,996)

207,429

(5,401)

144,109

296,147

Net loss

Total other comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock awards

793

—

Issuance of treasury shares as consideration for acquisition

Acquisition of treasury shares

Excess tax benefit derived from stock awards

Stock-based compensation expense

(238)

764

2,686

(4,897)

675

(411)

5,873

(32,338)

(8,592)

(1,116)

(32,338)

(8,592)

(40,930)

675

1,570

(4,897)

(411)

5,873

Balance at December 31, 2015

62,645

$

6

9,547

$

(52,207) $

213,566

$

(13,993) $

110,655

$

258,027

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income (loss)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

Stock-based compensation expense

Deferred income taxes

Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability

Goodwill impairment charge

Intangible asset impairment charges

Bad debt provision

Secured asset reserve

Venezuela remeasurement charges

Reduction of prepaid commissions

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock awards

Other operating activities

Change in assets, net of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue

Inventories

Prepaid expenses and other assets

Change in liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property and equipment

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Other investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Net repayments of revolving credit facility

Net short-term secured borrowings (repayments)

Repurchases of common stock

Payments of contingent consideration

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Payment of debt issuance costs

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock awards

Other financing activities

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

(32,338) $

44,462

$

(8,660)

17,472

5,873

7,320

(270)

37,539

202

1,949

2,022

890

—

—

210

17,723

5,352

(2,192)

(37,873)

—

2,710

1,984

940

—

—

(185)

364

(10,361)

(14,793)

(8,188)

(6,138)

26,199

1,021

43,402

(635)

(7,335)

(25,199)

2,162

(12,515)

(15,034)

(14,116)

—

—

—

(594)

13,664

4,733

(653)

(31,331)

37,908

—

1,285

—

—

3,940

2,619

239

(4,843)

(1,384)

2,332

29,643

(12,121)

37,371

(12,226)

(19,301)

—

(15,034)

(14,710)

(31,527)

(5,281)

(799)

(4,897)

(8,010)

1,195

—

—

(594)

(18,386)

(1,805)

8,177

22,578

35,539

2,618

—

(5,769)

778

(696)

185

(399)

32,256

(1,059)

3,972

18,606

$

30,755

$

22,578

$

4,000

—

—

(7,298)

2,005

(325)

(2,619)

(411)

(4,648)

191

1,387

17,219

18,606

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Description of the Business

InnerWorkings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “the Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 3, 
2006. The Company is a leading global marketing execution firm for the world's most marketing intensive companies, including 
those in the Fortune 1000, across a wide range of industries. As a comprehensive outsourced enterprise solution, the Company 
leverages proprietary technology, an extensive supplier network and deep domain expertise to streamline the creation, production, 
and  distribution  of  marketing  and  promotional  materials,  signage  and  displays,  retail  experiences,  events  and  promotions,  and 
packaging across every major market worldwide. The items the Company sources are generally procured through the marketing 
supply chain, and are referred to collectively as marketing materials. The Company’s technology and database of information is 
designed to capitalize on excess manufacturing capacity and other inefficiencies in the traditional marketing and print supply chain 
to obtain favorable pricing and to deliver high-quality products and services.

The Company is organized and managed as three business segments, North America, Latin America and EMEA, and is viewed 
as three operating segments by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and assessing performance. 
See Note 19 for further information about the Company’s reportable segments.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  InnerWorkings, Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries.  All  significant 

intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications have not been 

material and have not affected net income.

Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 
and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and 
expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product 
returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories and inventory valuation, valuation and impairments of goodwill and long-lived 
assets,  income  taxes,  contingencies,  stock-based  compensation  and  litigation.  The  Company  bases  its  estimates  on  historical 
experience and on other assumptions that its management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form 
the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities when those values are not readily apparent from 
other sources. Actual results can differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company determines the functional currency for its parent company and each of its subsidiaries by reviewing the currencies 
in which their respective operating activities occur. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into U.S. currency at the 
rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The 
resulting  translation  adjustments  are  included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss),  a  separate  component  of 
stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses arising from activities in other than the applicable functional currency are calculated 
using average exchange rates for the applicable period and reported in net income as a non-operating item in each period. Non-
monetary  balance  sheet  items  denominated  in  a  currency  other  than  the  applicable  functional  currency  are  translated  using  the 
historical rate.

The net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions were $(3.3) million, $(0.8) million and $(0.3) million for the 
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As further discussed later in Note 2, the net realized losses on foreign 
currency transactions for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes a charge of $1.5 million for the remeasurement of the Company's 
net assets in Venezuela.

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue upon meeting all of the following revenue recognition criteria, which is typically met upon 
shipment or delivery of our products to customers: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists through customer contracts and 
orders, (ii) the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, (iii) the sales price charged is fixed or determinable 
as evidenced by customer contracts and orders, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Unbilled revenue relates to shipments 
that have been made to customers for which the related account receivable has not yet been billed.

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-45, 
Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations, the Company generally reports revenue on a gross basis because the Company 
is  the  primary  obligor  in  its  arrangements  to  procure  marketing  materials  and  other  products  for  its  customers.  Under  these 
arrangements, the Company is responsible for the fulfillment, including the acceptability, of the printed materials and other products. 
In addition, the Company (i) determines which suppliers are included in its network, (ii) has discretion to select from among the 
suppliers within its network, (iii) is obligated to pay its suppliers regardless of whether it is paid by its customers, and (iv) has 
reasonable latitude to establish exchange price. In some transactions, the Company also has general inventory risk and is involved 
in the determination of the nature or characteristics of the printed materials and products. When the Company is not the primary 
obligor, revenues are reported on a net basis.

The Company recognizes revenue for creative, design, installation, warehousing and other services provided to its customers 
which may be delivered in conjunction with the procurement of marketing materials at the time when delivery and customer acceptance 
occur and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. When provided on a stand-alone basis, the Company recognizes revenue 
for these services upon completion of the service. Service revenue has not been material to the Company’s overall revenue to date.

The Company records taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts  receivable  are  uncollateralized  customer  obligations  due  under  normal  trade  terms.  Invoices  generally  require 
payment within 30 to 90 days from the invoice date. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer, less an 
estimate for amounts deemed uncollectible. Interest is not generally accrued on outstanding balances.

The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts 
that will not be collected. The Company estimates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors 
including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings and historical experience. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a 
specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company (e.g., bankruptcy filings or substantial downgrading 
of credit ratings), the Company provides allowances for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to 
the amount it reasonably believes will be collected. Fully reserved receivables are reviewed on a monthly basis and uncollectible 
accounts are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Market value is based 
upon an estimated average selling price reduced by estimated costs of disposal. Inventories primarily consist of purchased finished 
goods. Finished goods inventory includes consigned inventory held on behalf of customers as well as inventory held at third-party 
fulfillment centers and subcontractors.

48

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line 

method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The estimated useful lives, by asset class, are as follows:

Computer equipment
Software, including internal-use software
Office equipment
Furniture and fixtures

3 years
1 to 6 years
5 years
7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the 

terms of the related leases. 

Internal-Use Software

In accordance with ASC 350-40, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, Internal-Use Software, certain costs incurred in the planning 
and  evaluation  stage  of  internal-use  computer  software  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Certain  costs  incurred  during  the  application 
development stage are capitalized and included in property and equipment. Capitalized internal-use software costs are depreciated 
over the expected economic life of three to six years using the straight-line method. Capitalized internal-use software asset depreciation 
expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $8.6 million, $7.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively, and 
is included in total depreciation expense. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the net book value of internal-use software was $25.8 
million and $23.5 million, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable 
intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized, 
but instead is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent 
any interim indicators of impairment, the Company tests for goodwill impairment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of 
each year.

Under ASC 350, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the 
quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the quantitative test is required, in the first step, the fair value for each reporting unit is 
compared to its book value including goodwill. In the case that the fair value is less than the book value, a second step is performed 
which compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The fair value for the goodwill is determined based 
on the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the net fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities. If the 
implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the book value of the goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment. 

The Company defines its three reporting units as North America, Latin America and EMEA. At October 1, 2015, the Company 
elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for each of its three reporting units. In performing this test, the Company determined 
the fair value of the reporting units based on the income approach. Under the income approach, the fair value of a reporting unit is 
calculated based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company determined that its 
goodwill was impaired and recorded a non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $37.5 million as a result of the test. For additional 
information related to the goodwill impairment, see Note 4.

The fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment analysis required significant judgment. The Company's fair value 
estimates for purposes of determining the goodwill impairment charge are considered Level 3 fair value measurements. The fair 
value estimates were based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain, including 
estimates  of  future  revenues  and  operating  margins  and  assumptions  about  the  overall  economic  climate  and  the  competitive 
environment for the business.  

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Other Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, the Company amortizes its intangible assets with finite lives 
over their respective estimated useful lives and reviews for impairment whenever impairment indicators exist. Impairment indicators 
could include significant under-performance relative to the historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the 
manner of use of assets, significant negative industry or economic trends or significant changes in the Company’s market capitalization 
relative to net book value. Any changes in key assumptions used by the Company, including those set forth above, could result in 
an impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations. 
The Company’s intangible assets consist of customer lists, noncompete agreements, trade names and patents. The Company’s customer 
lists, which have an estimated weighted-average useful life of approximately fourteen years, are being amortized using the economic 
life method. The Company’s noncompete agreements, trade names and patents are being amortized on the straight-line basis over 
their estimated weighted-average useful lives of approximately four years, thirteen years and nine years, respectively.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge of $0.2 million. For 

additional information related to the intangible asset impairment, see Note 5.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are classified in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, under which deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement 
carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying 
value of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Any change in the valuation 
allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is “more likely than not” the tax position 
will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized 
in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood 
of being realized upon settlement.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of 
income tax expense. There was no interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013.

Based on the Company’s evaluation, it was concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition 
in its financial statements. The evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the tax 
years which remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions as of December 31, 2015.

Advertising

Costs of advertising, which are expensed as incurred by the Company, were $1.0 million, $0.5 million and $0.7 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses 
in the consolidated statement of operations.

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comprehensive Income

The components of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 

2015 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands):       

Balance at December 31, 2013

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

Balance at December 31, 2014

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

Balance at December 31, 2015

Stock-Based Compensation

Foreign Currency 
Translation 
Adjustments

$

2,777

(8,178)

—

(8,178)

(5,401)

(8,592)

—

(8,592)

$

(13,993)

The  Company  accounts for  stock-based  compensation  awards  in  accordance  with  ASC  718,  Compensation-Stock 
Compensation. Compensation expense is measured by determining the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes option 
valuation model for stock options or the closing share price for restricted shares. The fair value is then recognized over the requisite 
service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for the entire award.

Stock-based compensation cost recognized during the period is based on the portion of the share-based payment awards that 
are ultimately expected to vest. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost recognized has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. 
Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those 
estimates. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement 
of operations.

Venezuelan Highly Inflationary Economy

Since January 1, 2010, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy under GAAP. In accordance with 
GAAP, local subsidiaries in highly inflationary economies are required to use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency and remeasure 
the monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in U.S. dollars using the rate applicable to conversion of a currency for purposes 
of dividend remittances. All exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are recognized currently in income.

Prior to December 31, 2015, the Company translated the net assets and transactions of its Venezuelan subsidiary using the 
official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. In February 2015, the Venezuelan government introduced a new currency 
exchange system referred to as the SIMADI which is intended to be a market-driven rate and is more widely available than the 
official rate or the auction-based exchange system known as the SICAD. Based on the Company’s facts and circumstances as of 
December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was determined to be the most appropriate rate for reporting the operations of the Company’s 
Venezuelan subsidiary.

As of December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was approximately 198 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. The remeasurement of the 
Company’s net assets from the official rate of 6.3 to the SIMADI rate resulted in a foreign exchange loss of approximately $1.5 
million during the fourth quarter of 2015. This loss is included in other expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

51

 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 
Taxes (Topic 740), (“ASU 2015-17”) which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. ASU 2015-17 provides presentation 
requirements to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent in the Balance Sheet. The standard will be effective for 
financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. 
Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The ASU may be applied either prospectively 
to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company evaluated the impact of adopting 
the new standard on its consolidated financial statements and decided to adopt the standard at December 31, 2015 and apply the 
changes prospectively. The adoption resulted in $1.9 million of net current deferred tax assets reclassified to non-current liabilities 
in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015. Adoption had no impact on the Company's results of operations.

In September 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805), (“ASU 
2015-16”). The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified 
during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. For public business entities, 
the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. 
The amendments are to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of ASU 
2015-16 with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company does not expect ASU 
2015-16 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In August 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-15, Interest- Imputation of Interest: Presentation and 
Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs 
Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (Topic 835), ("ASU 2015-15"). ASU 2015-15 clarifies the treatment 
of debt issuance costs from line-of-credit arrangements after the adoption of ASU 2015-03. In particular, ASU 2015-15 clarifies that 
the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the 
deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding 
borrowings  on  the  line-of-credit  arrangement.  The  Company  does  not  expect ASU  2015-15  to  have  a  material  impact  on  its 
consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), 
(“ASU 2014-9”) which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that 
govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. In August 
2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of 
the Effective Date (“ASU 2015-14”) which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year. Public business 
entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual 
reporting  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2017,  including  interim  reporting  periods  within  that  reporting  period.  Earlier 
application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods 
within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting these standards on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement 
of Inventory, (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 applies to inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. 
Under the updated guidance, an entity should measure inventory that is within scope at the lower of cost and net realizable value, 
which is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and 
transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory that is measured using last-in, last-out (LIFO). The standard is 
effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and should be applied prospectively with early adoption 
permitted at the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting 
ASU 2015-11 on its consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-5, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use 
Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, (“ASU 2015-5”). This update 
provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing 
arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement 
consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years and interim 
periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2015.  The  new  guidance  is  to  be  applied  either  prospectively  to  new  cloud  computing 
arrangements or retrospectively. The Company does not expect ASU 2015-5 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

52

 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-3, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), 
(“ASU 2015-3”), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. This guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented 
in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The 
standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption 
is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance should be applied on a retrospective 
basis. The Company does not expect ASU 2015-3 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In January 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-1, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual 
Items (Subtopic 225-20), (“ASU 2015-1”). ASU 2015-1 eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The standard is 
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided 
that  guidance  is  applied  from  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  period  of  adoption.  The  Company  may  also  apply  the  amendments 
retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company does not expect ASU 2015-1 to have a material 
impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In August  2014,  the  FASB  issued Accounting  Standards  Update  2014-15,  Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  –  Going 
Concern,  (“ASU  2014-15”). ASU  2014-15  requires  management  to  evaluate  whether  there  are  conditions  and  events  that  raise 
substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide disclosures in certain circumstances. The 
standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect ASU 2014-15 
to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-8, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures 
of Disposals of Components of an Entity, (“ASU 2014-8”). ASU 2014-8 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations 
than currently exists under GAAP. The standard requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) 
that represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial 
statements as discontinued operations. The standard also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures 
of discontinued operations. The standard is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of businesses as held-for-sale) of 
components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted ASU 
2014-8 on January 1, 2015, and it did not have an effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), (“ASU 2016-2”). ASU 2016-2 
is aimed at making leasing activities more transparent and comparable. The new standard requires substantially all leases be recognized 
by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including today’s operating leases. For 
public business entities, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within 
those fiscal years. Early application is permitted for all entities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-2 on 
its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

3. Acquisitions

Contingent Consideration

In connection with certain of the Company’s acquisitions, contingent consideration is payable in cash or common stock 
upon the achievement of certain performance measures over future periods. The Company recorded the acquisition date fair value 
of the contingent consideration liability as additional purchase price. As discussed in Note 12, the process for determining the fair 
value of the contingent consideration liability consists of reviewing financial forecasts and assessing the likelihood of reaching the 
required performance measures based on factors specific to each acquisition as well as the Company’s historical experience with 
similar arrangements. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the Company estimates the fair value of the contingent consideration 
liability each reporting period, and any adjustments made to the fair value are recorded in the Company’s results of operations. 

The Company has recorded $22.2 million in contingent consideration at December 31, 2015 related to these arrangements. 
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded income of $0.3 million, $37.9 million and $31.3 
million for changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, reflecting the net reductions in the liability for each of those periods.

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s fair value adjustment to the contingent consideration 
liability includes adjustments of $7.2 million and $26.6 million, respectively, to reduce the liability relating to the Productions 
Graphics acquisition in 2011. See Note 9 for more information on Productions Graphics.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s fair value adjustment to the contingent consideration liability also 
includes an adjustment of $30.4 million to reduce the liability relating to the DB Studios acquisition in 2013 due to a decrease in 
53

 
  
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

forecasted  results. As  of  December 31,  2015,  the  fair  value  of  the  potential  remaining  $44.3  million  contingent  consideration 
payments for DB Studios was estimated to be $3.3 million. 

As of December 31, 2015, the potential maximum contingent consideration payments and their respective fair values are 

payable as follows (in thousands):

2016
2017
Total

Maximum Potential 
Payment

Fair Value of 
Liability

$

$

39,653
46,201
85,854

$

$

11,387
10,775
22,162

If the performance measures required by the purchase agreements are not achieved, the Company may pay less than the 
maximum amounts presented in the table above, depending on the terms of the agreement. While the maximum potential payments 
shown in the table are $85.9 million, the Company estimates the fair value of the payments that will be made is $22.2 million.

Shares Issued as Consideration for Acquisitions

Purchase  agreements  entered  by  the  Company  for  business  combinations  often  state  that  the  purchase  price,  including 
contingent consideration, is to be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock. The value of the shares for each issuance is 
determined by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on dates specified in each separate agreement. Generally, the date 
that determines the share value is the date of the purchase agreement, the last date in a contingent consideration measurement period, 
or the date of issuance to the sellers.

The following table presents the number of shares issued as consideration for acquisitions and contingent consideration and 
the corresponding value of those shares during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share 
amounts):

Shares of Common 
Stock Issued

Value of Shares

Average Share 
Value

Year ended December 31, 2015:

Payments for acquisitions

Payments of contingent consideration

Total

Year ended December 31, 2014:

Payments for acquisitions

Payments of contingent consideration

Total

Year ended December 31, 2013:

Payments for acquisitions

Payments of contingent consideration

Total

— $

238

238

$

— $

1,092

1,092

$

223

199

422

$

$

— $

1,570

1,570

$

— $

9,034

9,034

$

2,489

2,723

5,212

$

$

—

6.59

6.59

—

8.27

8.27

11.17

13.66

12.35

54

 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4. Goodwill

The following is a summary of the goodwill balance for each operating segment as of December 31 (in thousands): 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

Finalization of purchase accounting for prior year acquisitions

Foreign exchange impact

Balance as of December 31, 2014

Goodwill impairment charge

Foreign exchange impact

Balance as of December 31, 2015

2015 Goodwill Impairment Charge

North
America

Latin
America

EMEA

Total

$

$

171,095
(168)
(67)
170,860

—
(124)
170,736

$

9,875

$

70,259

$

251,229

—

—

9,875

—
(170)
9,705

$

693
(4,739)
66,213
(37,539)
(2,858)
25,816

525

(4,806)

246,948

(37,539)

(3,152)

$

206,257

$

As discussed in Note 2, the Company performed its annual impairment test as of October 1, 2015. In the first step of the 
impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying amount of the EMEA reporting unit exceeded its fair value, requiring the 
Company to perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The fair values of the 
North America and Latin America reporting units exceeded their carrying values, and the second step was not necessary. 

Based upon fair value estimates of long-lived assets and discounted cash flows of the EMEA reporting unit, the Company 
compared the implied fair value of the goodwill in this reporting unit with the carrying value. The test resulted in a $37.5 million 
non-cash, goodwill impairment charge which was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2015. No tax benefit is recognized on the 
goodwill impairment. This charge had no impact on the Company’s cash flows or compliance with debt covenants.

2013 Goodwill Impairment Charge

In the third quarter of 2013, a change in the Company’s identified reporting units along with a decline in forecasted financial 
performance in fiscal year 2013 compelled management to perform an interim goodwill impairment test for its reporting units as of 
September 30, 2013. In the first step of the impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying amount of the EMEA reporting 
unit exceeded its fair value, requiring the Company to perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of 
impairment loss, if any. The fair values of the North America and Latin America reporting units exceeded their carrying values, and 
the second step was not necessary.

Based upon fair value estimates of long-lived assets and discounted cash flows of the EMEA reporting unit, the Company 
compared the implied fair value of the goodwill in this reporting unit with the carrying value. The test resulted in a $37.9 million 
non-cash, goodwill impairment charge which was recognized in the third quarter of 2013. No tax benefit is recognized on the goodwill 
impairment. This charge had no impact on the Company’s cash flows or compliance with debt covenants.

5. Other Intangible Assets 

The following is a summary of the Company’s other intangible assets as of December 31 (in thousands):

Customer lists

Noncompete agreements

Trade names

Patents

Less accumulated amortization
Intangible assets, net

Weighted
Average Life

13.6

4.0

12.6

9.0

2015

2014

$

73,759

$

75,114

988

3,228

57

78,032
(40,317)
37,715

$

$

1,077

3,468

57

79,716
(34,796)
44,920

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization expense related to these intangible assets was $5.8 million, $7.4 million and $6.9 million for the years ended 

December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter

$

$

5,553
5,131
4,635
4,330
4,276
13,790
37,715

Customer List Impairment Charges

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recognized a $0.2 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related 
to certain customer lists acquired in prior year business combinations in the EMEA segment. Due to the global realignment discussed 
in Note 6, the Company evaluated the affected markets and identified certain customer lists for which undiscounted projected cash 
flows of the customers in those markets did not exceed the recorded book value of the customer lists. As such, the Company recorded 
an impairment charge of $0.2 million to reduce the customer lists to their respective fair values. 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recognized a $2.7 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related 
to certain customer lists acquired in prior year business combinations. Due to the loss of specific customers included in the lists, the 
undiscounted  projected  cash  flows  from  those  customers  did  not  exceed  the  recorded  book  value  of  the  customer  lists  as  of 
December 31, 2014. As such, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.7 million to reduce the customer lists to their 
respective fair values. Of the total charge, $2.4 million related to customer lists in the North America segment, and $0.3 million
related to customers lists in the EMEA segment.  

6. Restructuring Activities and Other Charges 

2015: On December 14, 2015, the Company approved a global realignment plan that is expected to allow the Company to 
more efficiently meet client needs across its international platform. Through improved integration of global resources, the plan will 
create back office and other efficiencies and allow for the elimination of approximately 100 positions deemed unnecessary. In 
connection with these actions, the Company expects to incur total pre-tax cash restructuring charges of $3.7 million to $5.2 million, 
the majority of which will be recognized during 2016. These cash charges will include approximately $3.5 million to $4.9 million
for employee severance and related benefits and $0.2 million to $0.3 million for lease and contract termination and other associated 
costs. As  required  by  law,  the  Company  is  consulting  with  each  of  the  affected  countries’  local  Works  Councils  throughout 
implementation of this plan. 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized $1.1 million in restructuring charges related to this plan 
of which $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.8 million related to the North America, Latin America and EMEA segments, respectively.  
This plan is expected to be completed during 2016.

The following table summarizes the restructuring activities for this plan for the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2014

Charges

Cash payments

Balance at December 31, 2015

Employee 
Severance and 
Related Benefits

Lease and 
Contract 
Termination Costs

Total

$

$

— $

978
(694)
284

$

— $

75

—

75

$

—

1,053

(694)

359

2014: No restructuring activities occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014.

56

 
 
 
  
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2013: During the third quarter of 2013, the Company commenced various restructuring actions which resulted in charges of 
$3.0 million during the quarter. These actions consisted of terminating 49 employees and providing them with severance benefits 
in accordance with benefit plans previously communicated to the affected employee group or local employment laws.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized $3.0 million in restructuring charges related to this plan 
of which $2.7 million and $0.3 million related to the North America and EMEA segments, respectively. This plan was completed 
during 2013.

The Company’s SMB division was one of the principal groups affected by the restructuring actions noted above.  In addition 
to these restructuring charges, the Company changed its compensation structure during the third quarter so that remaining employees 
of SMB are paid a fixed salary. This change in compensation structure resulted in the recording of an additional charge of $1.3 
million for these employees in 2013.

The following table summarizes the restructuring activities for this plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2012
Charges(1)
Cash payments
Non-cash settlements(2)
Balance at December 31, 2013

Employee 
Severance and 
Related Benefits

$

$

—

3,006

(382)

(2,624)

—

(1)  Charges in this table exclude the $1.3 million charge recognized for the change in compensation structure of SMB employees discussed 

above.

(2)  Non-cash settlements consist of the write-off of prepaid commission balances. Prepaid commission balances represent cash paid to account 
executives in advance of commissions earned and is recorded in prepaid expenses on the balance sheet. For employees who had a balance 
and were affected by the restructuring actions, which primarily includes Small and Medium Business (“SMB”) account executives, the 
Company included these balances as part of the severance paid to these individuals.

7. Property and Equipment 

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

2015

2014

Computer equipment

Software, including internal use software

Office equipment and furniture

Leasehold improvements

Less accumulated depreciation

$

8,148

$

59,718

4,778

2,498

75,142
(42,461)
32,681

$

7,454

48,731

4,099

1,902

62,186

(32,422)

$

29,764

Depreciation expense was $11.7 million, $10.4 million and $6.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 

2013, respectively.  

8. Revolving Credit Facility 

The  Company  entered  into  a  Credit Agreement,  dated  as  of August  2,  2010,  subsequently  amended  most  recently  as  of 
September 25, 2014, among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Credit 
Agreement”). The Credit Agreement includes a revolving commitment amount of $175 million in the aggregate with a maturity date 
of September 25, 2019, and provides the Company the right to increase the aggregate commitment amount by an additional $50 
million. Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries. 
The  Company’s  obligations  under  the  Credit Agreement  and  such  domestic  subsidiaries’  guaranty  obligations  are  secured  by 
substantially all of their respective assets. The ranges of applicable rates charged for interest on outstanding loans and letters of credit 

57

 
 
 
 
  
are 125-250 basis point spread for letter of credit fees and loans based on the Eurodollar rate and 25-150 basis point spread for loans 
based on the base rate.

The terms of the Credit Agreement include various covenants, including covenants that require the Company to maintain a 
maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. The Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a leverage 
ratio of no more than 3.0 to 1.0 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and each period thereafter. The Company is also required 
to maintain an interest coverage ratio of no less than 5.00 to 1.0. The Company is in compliance with all covenants in the Credit 
Agreement as of December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2015, the Company had $54.3 million of unused availability under the Credit Agreement and $0.7 million

of letters of credit which have not been drawn upon.

The fair value of the debt under this Credit Agreement is not materially different from its book value as of December 31, 2015.

9. Transactions Involving Former Owner of Productions Graphics

The  Company  removed  the  former  owner  of  Productions  Graphics from  his  role  as  President  of  the  Company’s  French 
subsidiary in October 2013 for performance-related reasons, and he is no longer an employee of the Company. This individual had 
served in such role since the Company’s acquisition in 2011 of Productions Graphics, a European business then owned by this 
individual and an organization affiliated with him (collectively, the “Seller”). As of December 31, 2015, the Company had paid to 
the Seller €5.8 million (approximately $8.0 million) in fixed consideration and €7.1 million (approximately $9.4 million) in contingent 
earn-out consideration.

There are certain potential disputes between the former owner of Productions Graphics and the Company relating to, among 
other things, the termination of his employment and the Productions Graphics acquisition agreement. In connection with such disputes, 
the Company initiated a review of this individual’s conduct in connection with certain transactions impacting the earn-out payments 
made to the Seller (collectively, the “Transactions”). As a result of the review, the Company concluded it was the victim of a fraud 
perpetrated by the former owner of Productions Graphics. Specifically, the Company concluded that the former owner of Productions 
Graphics artificially inflated the financial results of Productions Graphics in order to induce the Company to make earn-out payments 
of €1.2 and €5.9 million (approximately $1.6 million and $7.8 million, respectively) for the 2011 and 2012 earn-out measurement 
periods, respectively. He inflated the results by directing the issuance of fraudulent invoices to purported third-party customers and 
then, indirectly or directly, funded or reimbursed the third parties’ payments in respect of such invoices. The Company estimates 
that he issued approximately €6.9 million (approximately $9.0 million) of fraudulent invoices in 2011 and 2012, collectively, of 
which €5.7 million (approximately $7.5 million) was subsequently received by the Company. The Company has accounted for these 
aggregate payments as a partial refund of the earn-out consideration unduly paid to the Seller.

The Company intends to seek to redress the harm caused by conduct of the former owner of Productions Graphics through 
appropriate legal proceedings. See Note 10 for further discussion of the legal matters relating to the former owner of Productions 
Graphics.

58

 
 
 
 
  
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Commitments

The Company leases many of its office facilities for various terms under long-term, noncancelable operating lease agreements. 
The leases expire at various dates from fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2021. Future minimum lease payments are presented 
below (in thousands): 

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments

Operating
Leases

7,075
5,469
4,046
3,597
3,143
3,317
26,647

$

$

The Company recognizes rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The total rent expense for the years 
ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $11.4 million, $10.0 million and $9.1 million, respectively, and is included in selling, 
general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

Secured Borrowing Arrangements

Certain international subsidiaries are party to short-term secured borrowing arrangements which allow the Company to borrow 
against the value of a pool of current accounts receivable. The Company retains possession of the accounts receivable which are 
pledged as collateral. The pledged amounts are immaterial to the consolidated accounts receivable balance.

Legal Contingencies

In December 2010, e-Lynxx Corporation filed a complaint against the Company and numerous other defendants for patent 
infringement in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. As to the Company, the complaint alleges, 
among other things, that certain aspects of the Company’s PPM4 technology infringe on two patents owned by e-Lynxx purporting 
to cover a system and method for competitive pricing and procurement of customized goods and services, and seeks monetary 
damages, interest, costs, attorneys’ fees, punitive damages and a permanent injunction. In May 2013, e-Lynxx asserted that the 
monetary damages it seeks from the Company are in the range of $35 million to $88 million for the period from May 2009 through 
December 2012; e-Lynxx has not yet specified damages sought for 2013 and future periods. The Company disputes the allegations 
contained in e-Lynxx’s complaint and intends to vigorously defend this matter. Specifically, the Company contends that the patents 
at issue are invalid and not infringed, and, therefore, e-Lynxx is not entitled to any relief and the complaint should be dismissed. 
Further, even if e-Lynxx could establish liability, the Company contends that e-Lynxx is not entitled to the excessive monetary relief 
it seeks. On July 25, 2013, the court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment, finding that the Company did not infringe 
the patents-in-suit. E-Lynxx filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied. On March 5, 2014, e-Lynxx filed an appeal from 
the judgment entered in favor of the Company. On February 9, 2015, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment 
entered in favor of the Company. All deadlines for further appellate review have since passed and the judgment in favor of the 
Company became a final judgment; therefore, the Company has no liability in the matter and effective July 2015, the matter is closed. 

In October 2013, the Company removed the former owner of Productions Graphics from his role as President of Productions 
Graphics, the Company’s French subsidiary. He had been in that role since the Company’s 2011 acquisition of Productions Graphics, 
a European business then principally owned by him. In December 2013, the former owner of Productions Graphics initiated a wrongful 
termination claim in the Commercial Court of Paris seeking approximately €0.7 million (approximately $1.0 million) in fees and 
damages. In anticipation of this claim, in November 2013, he also obtained a judicial asset attachment order in the amount of €0.7 
million (approximately ($1.0 million) as payment security; the attachment order was confirmed in January 2014, and the Company 
filed an appeal of the order. In March 2015, the appellate court ruled in the Company’s favor in the attachment proceedings, releasing 
all attachments. The Company disputes the allegations of the former owner of Productions Graphics and intends to vigorously defend 
these matters. In February 2014, based on a review the Company initiated into certain transactions associated with the former owner 
of Productions Graphics, the Company concluded that he had engaged in fraud by inflating the results of the Productions Graphics 
59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

business in order to induce the Company to pay him €7.1 million in contingent consideration pursuant to the acquisition agreement. 
In light of those findings, in February 2014 the Company filed a criminal complaint in France seeking to redress the harm caused 
by his conduct and this proceeding is currently pending. In addition, in September 2015 the Company initiated a civil claim in the 
Paris Commercial Court against the former owner of Production Graphics, seeking civil damages to redress these same harms. In 
addition to these pending matters, there may be other potential disputes between the Company and the former owner of Productions 
Graphics relating to the acquisition agreement. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had paid €5.8 million (approximately $8.0 
million) in fixed consideration and €7.1 million (approximately $9.4 million) in contingent consideration to the former owner of 
Productions Graphics; the remaining maximum contingent consideration for the earn-out period ending in 2015 was €34.5 million
(approximately $37.6 million) and the Company has determined that none of this amount was earned and payable.

In January 2014, a former finance employee of Productions Graphics initiated wrongful termination and overtime claims in 
the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt, and he currently seeks damages of approximately €0.6 million (approximately $0.8 million). 
The Company disputes these allegations and intends to vigorously defend these matters. In addition, the Company’s criminal complaint 
in France, described above, seeks to redress harm caused by this former employee in light of his participation in the fraudulent 
transactions described above. The labor claim has been stayed in deference to the Company’s related criminal complaint.

In  February  2014,  shortly  following  the  Company’s  announcement  of  its  intention  to  restate  certain  historical  financial 
statements, an individual filed a putative securities class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District 
of Illinois entitled Van Noppen v. InnerWorkings et al. The complaint, as amended in July 2014, alleges that the Company and certain 
executive officers violated federal securities laws by making materially false or misleading statements or omissions, and by engaging 
in a scheme to defraud purchasers of securities, relating to the Company’s financial results and prospects. The purported misstatements 
and scheme relate to the Company’s inside sales initiative and the Productions Graphics business based in France. The complaint 
seeks unspecified damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and other costs. The Company and individual defendants dispute the claims and 
intend to vigorously defend the matter. On September 29, 2014, the Company and individual defendants filed a motion to dismiss 
the complaint for failure to state a claim. On September 30, 2015, the Court granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss, 
resulting in the dismissal with prejudice of all claims relating to the inside sales initiative. On December 12, 2014, the Company 
received a derivative demand letter on behalf of Tom Turberg, a purported stockholder, demanding that the Company’s Board of 
Directors investigate and take action on behalf of the Company against the executive officers named in the Van Noppen action as 
well as certain past and current members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The demand letter’s allegations relate 
to (i) the Company’s restatement of financial statements for the fourth quarter of 2011 through the third quarter of 2013, (ii) the 
Company’s use of gross revenue accounting, (iii) incentive compensation paid to executive officers in 2011 and 2012, (iv) allegations 
in the Van Noppen action, and (v) typographical errors in the 2013 Form 10-K. The demand letter has been forwarded to the Company’s 
Board of Directors for its review and handling. Any loss that the Company and individual defendants may incur as a result of these 
matters cannot be estimated.

60

   
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

11. Income Taxes 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, under which deferred assets and liabilities 
are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying values 
of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 

2013 (in thousands):

Current income tax expense:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total current income tax expense

Deferred income tax expense:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)

Income tax expense (benefit)

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

— $

324

5,021

5,345

3,811

499

3,010

7,320

$

12,665

$

237

197

4,071

4,505

87

3
(2,282)
(2,192)
2,313

$

$

(1,803)

(316)

2,216

97

2,824

449

(3,926)

(653)

(556)

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 differs from the amount computed 

by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to pretax income (loss) because of the effect of the following items (in 
thousands):  

Tax expense at U.S. federal income tax rate

State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect

Effect of non-US operations

Nontaxable contingent liability fair value changes and goodwill impairment

Research and development credit

Change in valuation allowances

Prior year provision to return adjustment
Write-off of deferred taxes and tax receivables

Nondeductible expense and other

Income tax expense (benefit)

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

(6,886)
541
(306)
13,083
(422)
5,173

372
858

252

12,665

16,371

1,465
(1,632)
(14,334)
(376)
850
(172)
—

141

2,313

(3,226)

205

(644)

3,828

(1,046)

607
—

—

(280)

(556)

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax return reporting purposes. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, 
the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

2015

2014

Current deferred tax assets:

Reserves and allowances not currently deductible

$

— $

Other

Total current deferred tax assets

Noncurrent deferred tax assets:

Inventory reserve

Other reserves and allowances

Income tax basis in excess of financial statement basis in intangible assets

Deductible stock-based compensation

Net operating loss carryforward

Tax credit carryforwards

Valuation allowance

Total noncurrent deferred tax assets

Total deferred tax assets

Total current deferred tax liability:

Prepaid & other expenses

Total current deferred tax liability

Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:

Prepaid & other expenses

Fixed assets

Intangible assets

Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities

Total deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax liability

Net current deferred tax asset

Net noncurrent deferred tax liability

Net deferred tax liability

—

—

838

2,993

4,267

4,615

8,667

2,099

23,479
(6,500)
16,979

16,979

—

—

(867)
(6,013)
(22,411)
(29,291)
(29,291)

1,858

77

1,935

—

—

5,235

4,740

10,984

1,338

22,297

(1,604)

20,693

22,628

(116)

(116)

—

(4,931)

(21,825)

(26,756)

(26,872)

$

$

$

(12,312) $

(4,244)

— $

(12,312)
(12,312) $

1,819

(6,063)

(4,244)

As discussed in Note 2, the Company adopted ASU 2015-17 on a prospective basis as of December 31, 2015, and the deferred 
tax assets and deferred tax liabilities in the table above have been reclassified as noncurrent deferred taxes on the consolidated balance 
sheet. Since the Company adopted the ASU on a prospective basis, the 2014 balances above have not been restated.

The realizability of deferred income tax assets is based on a more likely than not standard. If it is determined that it is more 
likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established against the deferred 
income tax assets. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent primarily on the generation of future taxable income. In considering 
the need for a valuation allowance the Company considers historical, as well as future projected, taxable income along with other 
positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets.

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded net increases in its valuation allowances of $5.2 

million and $0.8 million, respectively. 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company has gross federal and state net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards of $14.9 million
and $14.0 million, respectively. The federal carryovers begin to expire in 2023, and the state carryovers begin to expire in 2022. 
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual limitation on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards related 
to acquired corporations based on a statutory rate of return (usually the “applicable federal funds rate” as defined in the Internal 
Revenue Code) and the value of the corporation at the time of a “change in ownership” as defined by Section 382. The Company’s 
total federal NOL as of December 31, 2015 includes $0.6 million of NOLs from acquired corporations. These acquired NOLs have 
an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of $0.2 million.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had gross NOLs in France, Italy, Chile and Switzerland of $16.4 million, $1.6 million, 

$2.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which have an indefinite carryover period.

As  of  December 31,  2015,  the  Company  had  gross  federal  and  state  research  and  development  credit  carryforwards  of 
approximately $1.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The federal carryovers begin to expire in 2031, and the state carryovers 
begin to expire in 2015.

As a result of certain realization requirements of ASC 718, Stock-Based Compensation, the Company has not recorded certain 
deferred tax assets that arose directly from tax deductions related to equity compensation that are greater than the compensation 
recognized for financial reporting. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has $13.8 million and $11.3 million in federal and state 
tax deductions, respectively, related to these stock option exercises which have not been recorded but are available to reduce taxable 
income in future periods. These deductions will be recorded to additional paid in capital in the period in which they are realized.

The Company's intention is to indefinitely reinvest all undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries in accordance with 
ASC 740.  Deferred income taxes were not calculated on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which were $26.1 million
and $8.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability 
on the undistributed earnings considered indefinitely reinvested is not practicable.  If the undistributed earnings were to be remitted 
to the Company, foreign tax credits would be available to reduce any U.S. tax due upon repatriation.

The Company's income (loss) before taxes on foreign operations was $(29.5) million, $15.4 million and $(13.8) million for 

the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

12. Fair Value Measurement

ASC 820 includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements 
and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on observable or unobservable inputs to valuation techniques that are used 
to measure fair value. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on 
market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own 
market assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

• 
• 

• 

Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar 
assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-
corroborated inputs, which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Inputs that are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are 
unobservable.

The Company's potential contingent consideration payments relating to acquisitions occurring subsequent to January 1, 2009 
are its only Level 3 liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.  The fair value of the liabilities determined by this analysis is 
primarily driven by the probability of reaching the performance measures required by the purchase agreements and the associated 
discount rate.  Probabilities are estimated by reviewing financial forecasts and assessing the likelihood of reaching the required 
performance measures based on factors specific to each acquisition as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar 
arrangements. If an acquisition reaches the required performance measure, the estimated probability would be increased to 100%, 
and if the measure is not reached, the probability would be reduced to reflect the amount earned, if any, depending on the terms of 
the agreement. Discount rates are determined by applying a risk premium to a risk-free interest rate. A one percentage point increase 
63

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

in the discount rate across all contingent consideration liabilities would result in a decrease to the fair value of approximately $0.3 
million.

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring 

basis and the basis of measurement at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (in thousands):

At December 31, 2015

Assets:
Money market funds(1)
Liabilities:

Contingent consideration

At December 31, 2014

Assets:
Money market funds(1)
Liabilities:

Contingent consideration

Total Fair Value
Measurement

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

Significant Other
Observable Inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

$

$

667

$

667

$

— $

—

(22,162) $

— $

— $

(22,162)

Total Fair Value
Measurement

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

Significant Other
Observable Inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

$

$

667

$

667

$

— $

—

(32,582) $

— $

— $

(32,582)

(1)  Included in cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the liabilities measured at fair value 

using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2013

Contingent consideration payments paid in cash

Contingent consideration payments paid in stock
Change in fair value(1)
Reclass to Due to seller
Foreign exchange impact(2)

Balance at December 31, 2014

Contingent consideration payments paid in cash

Contingent consideration payments paid in stock
Change in fair value(1)
Foreign exchange impact(2)

Balance at December 31, 2015

Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Contingent Consideration

$

$

(87,333)

5,769

9,133

37,874

402

1,573

(32,582)

8,010

1,570

270

570

(22,162)

(1)  Adjustments to original contingent consideration obligations recorded were the result of using revised financial forecasts and updated fair 

value measurements. These changes are recognized within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

(2)  Changes in the contingent consideration liability which are caused by foreign exchange rate fluctuations are recognized in other comprehensive 

income.

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

13. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common 
shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding plus 
share equivalents that would arise from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted common shares and other contingently 
issuable shares. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, 3.2 million, 2.4 million and 4.3 million options 
and restricted common shares were excluded from the calculation as these options and restricted common shares were anti-dilutive.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, is 

as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Numerator:

Net income (loss)

Denominator:

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

(32,338) $

44,462

$

(8,660)

Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares outstanding

52,791

52,096

50,875

Effect of dilutive securities:

Employee stock options and restricted common shares

Contingently issuable shares

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

14. Share Repurchase Program

—

—

924

84

—

—

52,791

53,104

50,875

$

$

(0.61) $
(0.61) $

0.85

0.84

$

$

(0.17)

(0.17)

On February 12, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing 
the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $20 million of its common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions 
over a two-year period. The timing and amount of any share repurchases will be determined based on market conditions, share price 
and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. Repurchases will be made in compliance with 
SEC rules and other legal requirements. 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 763,787 shares of its common stock for an aggregate 
amount of $4.9 million at an average cost of $6.41 per share. Shares repurchased under this program are recorded at acquisition cost, 
including related expenses.

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

In 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Upon adoption, all previously existing plans were 
merged into the Plan and ceased to separately exist. The Plan was amended and restated effective June 2014 resulting in an increase 
in the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Plan by 2,200,000, from 5,650,000 to 7,850,000. 
The Company’s policy is to issue shares resulting from the exercise of stock options and conversion of restricted stock as new shares.

The  Company  recorded  $5.9  million,  $5.4  million  and  $4.7  million  in  compensation  expense  related  to  stock-based 
compensation for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. All stock-based compensation expense is recorded 
net  of  an  estimated  forfeiture  rate  and  adjusted  to  reflect  actual  forfeiture  activity. The  estimated  forfeiture  rates  applied  as  of 
December 31, 2015 ranged from 7.0% to 8.0% for various types of employees. The Company recorded $1.0 million, $0.5 million
and $0.5 million of additional stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, 
for awards vested which exceeded the expense recorded using the estimated forfeiture rate.

Stock Options

Eligible employees receive non-qualified stock options as a portion of their total compensation. The options vest over various 
time periods depending upon the grant, but generally vest ratably over a four to five year service period. Vested options may be 
exercised and converted to one share of the Company’s common stock in exchange for the exercise price which is generally equal 
to the share price on the grant date. The Company measures the compensation cost based on the Black-Scholes option valuation 
model at the grant date. The stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013 was $2.4 million, $1.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

A summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands, except 

per share amounts):

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2013

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2014

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2015

Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2015

Outstanding
Options

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise Price

$

3,921
227
(415)
(179)

3,554
779
(162)
(125)

4,046
975
(405)
(556)

4,060

2,467

$

$

5.07
14.60
4.83
8.97

8.52
7.23
4.82
4.11

8.35
6.87
2.95
9.58

8.37

8.80

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
28,048
$
—
3,190
—

4,779
—
3,302
—

4,725
—
1,604
—

2,760

2,026

$

$

66

 
 
 
  
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The weighted-average fair values and ranges of exercise prices for stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 

2015, 2014 and 2013, which vest ratably from one to five years, are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

2013
2014
2015

Options Granted
227
779
975

Weighted-Average
Fair Value

$

5.58
3.57
3.39

Exercise Prices
$10.76 - $15.05
$7.18 - $8.72
$6.21 - $8.20

Vested options totaled 2.5 million, 2.7 million and 2.6 million as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference 
between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of each fiscal year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number 
of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options in 2015, 
2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock which was $7.50, $7.79
and $7.79 on the last business day of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following assumptions were utilized in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted in 2015, 2014 and 2013:

Dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life
Volatility

2015

—

1.92%-2.12%
6 years
50.0%

2014

—
1.32%-2.17%
6 years
38.0%-50.0%

2013

—

1.32%-1.41%
6 years
38.0%

Expected term is estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual 
terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The Company believes that its 
historical experience provides the best estimate of future expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on actual U.S. Treasury 
zero-coupon rates for bonds commensurate with the expected term.  The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical 
volatility of the Company’s common stock over a period commensurate with the expected term.

There was $5.6 million, $5.8 million and $2.9 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to the stock options granted 
under the Plan as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average 
period of 2.8, 2.4 and 2.6 years, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about all stock options outstanding for the Company as of December 31, 2015

(share amounts in thousands): 

Options Outstanding

Options Vested

Exercise Price

$2.36 - $4.92

$5.19 - $7.95

$8.07 - $11.97

$12.10 - $16.41

Restricted Common Shares

Number
Outstanding

Weighted-
Average Life
Remaining
(Years)

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Number
Exercisable

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

264

2,366

588

842

4,060

1.07

7.04

5.56

4.46

$

$

4.48

6.69

9.38

13.61

8.37

$

264

998

511

694

2,467

$

4.48

6.29

9.36

13.65

8.80

Eligible employees receive restricted common shares as a portion of their total compensation. The restricted common shares 
vest over various time periods depending upon the grant, but generally vest from zero to five years and convert to common stock at 
the conclusion of the vesting period. The Company measures the compensation cost based on the closing market price of the Company’s 
common stock at the grant date. The stock-based compensation expense related to restricted common shares for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.5 million, $3.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

67

 
  
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

A summary of restricted share activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Outstanding 
Restricted
Common Shares

Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value

Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2012

692

$

Granted

Vested and transferred to unrestricted common stock

Forfeited

Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2013

Granted

Vested and transferred to unrestricted common stock

Forfeited

Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2014

Granted

Vested and transferred to unrestricted common stock

Forfeited

Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2015

448
(278)
(127)

735

736
(362)
(19)

1,090

688
(465)
(356)
957

$

8.95

11.46

9.22

8.56

10.45

7.59

8.90

8.02

8.92

6.90

8.40

8.19

7.66

There was $6.9 million, $8.9 million $4.5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the restricted common 
shares as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period 
of 2.7, 2.4 and 2.9 years, as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

16. Benefit Plans 

The Company adopted a 401(k) savings plan effective February 1, 2005, covering all of the Company’s employees upon 
completion of 90 days of service. Employees may contribute a percentage of eligible compensation on both a before-tax basis and 
after-tax basis. The Company has the right to make discretionary contributions to the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013, total costs incurred from the Company’s contributions to the 401(k) plan were $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $0.1 
million, respectively.

17. Related Party Transactions

Agreements and Services with Related Parties

The Company provides print procurement services to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., a member of the 
Company’s Board of Directors since August 2011, is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arthur J. Gallagher & 
Co. and has a direct ownership interest in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The total amount billed for such procurement services during 
the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1.7 million, $1.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Additionally, 
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. provides insurance brokerage and risk management services to the Company. As consideration for these 
services, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. billed the Company $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The net amounts receivable from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of December 31, 2015 was $0.2 
million and were immaterial as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

68

 
 
  
 
 
 
18. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows (in thousands):

Cash paid for:

Interest

Income taxes

Noncash investing and financing activities:

Shares issued as payments for acquisitions

Shares issued as payment of contingent consideration

19. Business Segments

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

$

$

$

4,306

3,863

8,169

$

$

3,790

6,855

10,645

$

$

— $

1,570

1,570

$

— $

9,034

9,034

$

2,415

811

3,226

2,489

2,723

5,212

Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our CEO, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), 
manages the segments, evaluates financial results, and makes key operating decisions. The Company is organized and managed as 
three business segments: North America, Latin America, and EMEA. The North America segment includes operations in the United 
States and Canada; the Latin America segment includes operations in Mexico, South America and Central America; and the EMEA 
segment includes operations in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. “Other” consists of 
intersegment  eliminations,  shared  service  activities  and  unallocated  corporate  expenses. All  transactions  between  segments  are 
presented at their gross amounts and eliminated through Other.

Management evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA, which is a 
non-GAAP financial measure. The accounting policies of each of the operating segments are the same as those described in the 
summary of significant accounting policies in Note 2. Adjusted EBITDA represents income from operations excluding depreciation 
and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, income/expense related to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration 
liabilities and other items as described below. Management does not evaluate the performance of its operating segments using asset 
measures. The identifiable assets by segment disclosed in this note are those assets specifically identifiable within each segment and 
include cash, accounts receivable, inventory, goodwill and intangible assets. Shared service assets are primarily comprised of short-
term investments, capitalized internal-use software and net property and equipment of the corporate headquarters.

69

 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The table below presents financial information for our reportable operating segments and Other for the fiscal years noted (in 

thousands): 

Fiscal 2015:
Net revenues from third parties
Net revenues from other segments

Total net revenues
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
Total assets
Fiscal 2014:
Net revenues from third parties
Net revenues from other segments

Total net revenues
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
Total assets
Fiscal 2013:
Net revenues from third parties
Net revenues from other segments

Total net revenues
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
Total assets

North
America

Latin
America

EMEA

Other

Total

$

$

708,532
7
708,539
64,612
390,739

688,942
48
688,990
57,662
443,530

657,989
33
658,022
51,873
431,562

$

95,939
1,422
97,361
6,380
45,053

99,734
429
100,163
5,273
30,488

88,016
1,270
89,286
3,098
29,841

224,882
7,269
232,151
8,655
150,007

211,457
5,160
216,617
5,893
135,257

144,955
75
145,030
764
119,531

$

— $ 1,029,353
—
1,029,353
51,896
608,467

(8,698)
(8,698)
(27,751)
22,668

—
(5,637)
(5,637)
(25,990)
21,976

—
(1,378)
(1,378)
(28,834)
33,733

1,000,133
—
1,000,133
42,838
631,251

890,960
—
890,960
26,901
614,667

(1)  Adjusted EBITDA, which represents income from operations with the addition of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation 
expense, income/expense related to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, goodwill and intangible asset impairment 
charges, restructuring and other charges, secured assets reserves and legal fees from patent infringement defense, is considered a non-GAAP 
financial measure under SEC regulations. Income from operations is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance 
with GAAP. The Company presents this measure as supplemental information to help investors better understand trends in its business results 
over time. The Company's management team uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is not 
equivalent to any measure of performance required to be reported under GAAP, nor should this data be considered an indicator of the Company's 
overall financial performance and liquidity. Moreover, the Adjusted EBITDA definition the Company uses may not be comparable to similarly 
titled measures reported by other companies.

The table below reconciles the total of the reportable segments' Adjusted EBITDA and the Adjusted EBITDA included in 

Other to consolidated income before income taxes (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization
Stock-based compensation
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
Goodwill impairment charge
Intangible asset impairment charges
Restructuring and other charges
Secured asset reserve(1)
Restatement-related professional fees
Payments to former owner of Productions Graphics, net of cash recovered
Legal fees in connection with patent infringement
Total other expense
Income (loss) before income taxes

$

$

$

51,896
(17,472)
(5,873)
270
(37,539)
(202)
(1,053)
(2,022)
—
—
—
(7,678)
(19,673) $

42,838
(17,723)
(5,352)
37,873
—
(2,710)
—
(940)
(2,093)
—
—
(5,118)
46,775

$

$

26,901
(13,664)
(4,733)
31,331
(37,908)
—
(4,322)
—
—
(2,625)
(961)
(3,235)
(9,216)

(1)  The Company accrued a reserve of $2.0 million and $0.9 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, on inventory in which it holds a security 

interest. The inventory was procured for a former transactional client.

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company had long-lived assets, consisting of net property and equipment, in the United States of $22.1 million, $21.5 
million and $18.1 million at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Long-lived assets in foreign countries were $10.6 
million, $8.3 million and $5.6 million at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

The Company does not record revenue for financial reporting purposes by product and service category, and therefore, it is 

impracticable for the Company to report revenue in such manner.

20. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The tables below are a condensed summary of the Company’s unaudited quarterly statements of operations and quarterly 

earnings per share data for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share data):

Revenue
Gross profit
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share:

Basic
Diluted

Year Ended December 31, 2015

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

$

$
$

242,095
55,065
1,139

0.02
0.02

$

$
$

252,227
58,980
1,431

0.03
0.03

$

$
$

264,720
63,611
4,983

0.09
0.09

$

$
$

Fourth
Quarter(1)
270,311
62,538
(39,891)

(0.75)
(0.75)

(1)  The results for the fourth quarter of 2015 include a goodwill impairment charge of $37.5 million. For additional information related to the 

goodwill impairment, see Note 4.

Revenue
Gross profit
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share:

Basic
Diluted

Year Ended December 31, 2014

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

$

$
$

241,490
54,584
289

0.01
0.01

$

$
$

260,350
58,927
1,605

0.03
0.03

$

$
$

251,652
57,098
5,114

0.10
0.10

$

$
$

Fourth
Quarter(1)
246,641
58,850
37,454

0.71
0.69

(1)  The results for the fourth quarter of 2014 include income of $36.1 million relating to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. 
This amount primarily consists of $31.0 million and $5.6 million to reduce the liabilities relating to the DB Studios and Productions Graphics 
acquisitions, respectively, because changes in the forecasted results of each business resulted in a decreased likelihood that the applicable 
performance targets would be achieved and that contingent consideration would be paid.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in thousands)

Description
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts

Balance at
Beginning of 
Period

Charged to
Expense

(Uncollectible
Accounts
Written Off, 
Net of 
Recoveries)

Other

Balance at End
of Period

$

$

$

2,685

2,129

1,554

$

$

$

1,949

1,984

1,285

$

$

$

(3,403) $

(1,427) $

(710) $

— $

— $

— $

1,231

2,685

2,129

72

 
Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we evaluated the 
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as 
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are 
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange 
Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure 
controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be 
disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the 
company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions 
regarding required disclosure.

Management  recognizes  that  any  controls  and  procedures,  no  matter  how  well  designed  and  operated,  can  provide  only 
reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit 
relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 
2015, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, the Company's disclosure controls and 
procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such 
term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable 
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for external 
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 

Management  assessed  the  design  and  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on this evaluation, 
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015 based on criteria in 
Internal Control –Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

As  required  under  this  Item  9A,  the  management's  report  titled  “Management's Assessment  of  Control  over  Financial 
Reporting” is set forth in “Item 8 - Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and is incorporated herein by 
reference.

Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm

As required under this Item 9A, the auditor’s attestation report titled “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting 
Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” is set forth in "Item 8 - Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary 
Data" and is incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In the third quarter of 2013, we began the implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning system. This multi-
year initiative will be conducted in phases and will include modifications to the design and operation of controls over financial 
reporting. We are testing internal controls over financial reporting for design effectiveness prior to implementation of each phase, 
and we have monitoring controls in place over the implementation of these changes.

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a–15(f) 
and 15d–15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably 
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.

Other Information

None.

74

 
 
 
Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

Certain information required by this Item 10 relating to our directors and executive officers is incorporated by reference herein 
from our 2016 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 
2015.

We have adopted a code of ethics, which is posted in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.inwk.com. 
We intend to include on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the code of ethics that applies to our principal 
executive officer, principal financial officer, or controller that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition contained in 
Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K. In addition, our board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines, which are also 
posted in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.inwk.com.

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

Certain information required by this Item 11 relating to remuneration of directors and executive officers and other transactions 
involving management is incorporated by reference herein from our 2016 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 
120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 12.

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

Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans 

as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands, except. 

Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options (a)

Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))

4,060

$

—

4,060

$

8.37

—

8.37

677 (2)

—  

677  

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans approved by 
security holders(1)
Equity compensation plans not approved 
by security holders(3)
Total

(1) 
(2) 
(3) 

Includes our 2004 Unit Option Plan, which was merged with our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
Includes shares remaining available for future issuance under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
There are no equity compensation plans in place not approved by our stockholders.

Certain information required by this Item 12 relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is 
incorporated by reference herein from our 2016 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our 
fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Certain information required by this Item 13 relating to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence 
is incorporated by reference herein from our 2016 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close 
of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Certain information required by this Item 14 regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference 
herein  from  the  section  entitled  “Matters  Concerning  Our  Independent  Registered  Public Accounting  Firm”  in  our  2016  proxy 
statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

76

 
 
Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

(a) (1)  Financial Statements:     Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule in 

the section entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2) Financial Statement Schedule:     Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements and Schedule II - Valuation and 
Qualifying Accounts in the section entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report 
on Form 10-K. Schedules not listed above are omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in 
the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits:     Exhibits are as set forth in the section entitled “Exhibit Index” which follows the section entitled “Signatures” 
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of the exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index have been previously filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended. Such exhibits are identified by the parenthetical references following the listing of each such exhibit and are 
incorporated by reference.

Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference can be inspected and copied at the public reference rooms maintained by 
the SEC in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further 
information on the public reference rooms. SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services 
and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has 

duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES 

INNERWORKINGS, INC.

By:

Title:

/ S /    ERIC D. BELCHER
Eric D. Belcher
Chief Executive Officer and
President

KNOWN BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the individuals whose signatures appear below hereby constitute 
and appoint Eric D. Belcher and Jeffrey P. Pritchett, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and 
agents with full power of substitution and resubsitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities 
to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents 
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power 
and authority to do or perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to 
all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and 
agents or any of them, or of his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do to cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the 

following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature

Title

Date

/ S /    ERIC D. BELCHER

  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

  March 10, 2016

Eric D. Belcher

  (principal executive officer)

/ S /    JEFFREY P. PRITCHETT

  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)

  March 10, 2016

Jeffrey P. Pritchett

/ S /    JACK M. GREENBERG

  Chairman of the Board

  March 10, 2016

Jack M. Greenberg

/ S /    LINDA S. WOLF

  Director

Linda S. Wolf

/ S /    CHARLES K. BOBRINSKOY

  Director

Charles K. Bobrinskoy

/ S /    JULIE M. HOWARD

  Director

Julie M. Howard

/ S /    DAVID FISHER

  Director

David Fisher

/ S /    J. PATRICK GALLAGHER

  Director

J. Patrick Gallagher

/ S /    DANIEL M. FRIEDBERG

  Director

Daniel M. Friedberg

78

  March 10, 2016

  March 10, 2016

  March 10, 2016

  March 10, 2016

  March 10, 2016

  March 10, 2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
Exhibit No.
3.1

  Description
  Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.(1)

 EXHIBIT INDEX 

3.2

4.1

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

  Amended and Restated By-Laws.(1)

  Specimen Common Stock Certificate.(2)

  InnerWorkings, LLC 2004 Unit Option Plan.(2)†

  InnerWorkings, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective June 13, 2014.(4)†

  Form of InnerWorkings Restricted Stock Award Agreement.(3)†

  Form of Stock Option Award Agreement.(1)†

  InnerWorkings, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan.(2)†

  Stock Option Grant Agreement dated October 1, 2005 between InnerWorkings, Inc. and Jack M. 
Greenberg.(3)†

  Form of Indemnification Agreement.(2)

  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered into as of December 19, 2013 by and between 
Eric D. Belcher and InnerWorkings, Inc.(5)†

  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective as of April 30, 2012 by and between Joseph 
Busky and InnerWorkings, Inc.(6)†

  Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., as borrower, Bank 
of America, N.A., as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, PNC 
Bank, National Association, as documentation agent, and the other lenders party thereto.(7)

  First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2012, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., 
as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as 
syndication agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as documentation agent, and the other lenders 
party hereto.(8)

10.12

  Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2014, by and among 
InnerWorkings, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.(9)

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective as of April 11, 2014 by and between John 
Eisel and InnerWorkings, Inc.(10)†

Employee Agreement entered into as of June 30, 2015 by and between InnerWorkings, Inc. and Jeffrey 
P. Pritchett.(11)†

Employee Agreement entered into as of August 23, 2012 by and between InnerWorkings, Inc. and 
Ronald Provenzano.†

Transition Agreement dated as of January 19, 2015 by and between InnerWorkings, Inc. and Joseph 
Busky and InnerWorkings, Inc.(12)†

79

 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 Exhibit No.

  Description 

21.1

  Subsidiaries of InnerWorkings, Inc.

23.1

  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

31.1

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.

31.2

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

  XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

  XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

  XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

  XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

Incorporated by reference to Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-139811).

Incorporated by reference to Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-133950).

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2008.

Incorporated by reference to 2014 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 24, 2014.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2013.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2012.

Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2010.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2014.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 14, 2014.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2015.

Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2015.

†

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company.

80

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
  
 
Subsidiaries of InnerWorkings, Inc. 

Exhibit 21.1

Name of Subsidiary

United States Subsidiaries

DB Studios, Inc.

E-Corporate Printers, Inc.

EYELEVEL, Inc.

INWK EMEA, LLC

INWK Holdings LLC

InnerWorkings Luxembourg IP S.à r.l. LLC

Lightning Golf and Promotions, Inc.

Print Systems, Inc.

Productions Graphics Group

Screened Images, Inc.

Foreign Subsidiaries

Cirqit Colombia LTDA

Cirqit de Costa Rica S.A.

Cirqit de El Salvador, S. de R.L. De C.V.

Cirqit de Guatemala S.A.

Cirqit De Honduras S. de R.L. De C.V.

Cirqit Latam de Venezuela

Cirqit S.A.

Cirqit Servicios de Impresion

CPRO de Servicios Limitada

CPRO de Servicios S.A.

etrinsic Limited French Branch

Eyelevel Distribution Services

EYELEVEL Limited

EYELEVEL, LLC

EYELEVEL Retail Solutions Consultoria Ltda

EYELEVEL Solution Pty Ltd

EYELEVEL Solutions LTD.

EYELEVEL s.r.o.

Guangzhou InnerWorkings Trading Company Limited

Iconomedia Sarl

InnerWorkings Andina S.A.S.

InnerWorkings Asia Pacific

InnerWorkings Belgium SPRL/BVBA

InnerWorkings Brasil Gerenciamento de Impressoes

InnerWorkings Canada

InnerWorkings Colombia S.A.S.

InnerWorkings Comercio de Producto de Marketing Ltda.

InnerWorkings Deutschland Gmbh

InnerWorkings Danmark A/S

Place of Formation

California

Illinois

Oregon

Delaware

Delaware

Delaware

  Maryland

  Michigan

Delaware

New Jersey

Colombia

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Venezuela

Ecuador

Chile

Chile

Argentina

France

Czech Republic

Hong Kong

Russia

Brazil

Australia

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

China

France

Colombia

Hong Kong

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Colombia

Brazil

Germany

Denmark

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InnerWorkings Dubai

InnerWorkings EMEA Holdings LP

InnerWorkings Europe Limited

InnerWorkings France

InnerWorkings Global Limited

InnerWorkings Holdings Europe Limited

InnerWorkings Hong Kong Ltd

InnerWorkings India Private Limited

InnerWorkings Ireland

InnerWorkings Instanbul Grafik, Reklam, Iletisim ve Matbaa Hizmetleri Ticaret
Limited Sirketi

InnerWorkings Italia S.R.L.

InnerWorkings Latin America, S.L.

InnerWorkings Luxembourg IP S.à r.l.

InnerWorkings Nederland BV

InnerWorkings (NI) Limited
InnerWorkings Peru S.A.C.

InnerWorkings Polska Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia

InnerWorkings Portugal Unipessoal, LDA

InnerWorkings Russia LLA

InnerWorkings Singapore Private Limited

InnerWorkings South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

InnerWorkings Trading & Commerce Company Limited

InnerWorkings Ukraine Limited Liability Company

INWK Mexico S de R.L. De C.V.

INWK Panama S.A.

INWK Puerto Rico Inc.

INWK Republica Dominicana S.R.S.

INWK Switzerland GmbH

Mania Holdings Limited

Merchandise Mania Limited

PPA International Limited

Professional Packaging Services (Holding) Limited

Professional Packaging Services Limited

Productions Grand Format

Productions Graphics Agencement et Volume

Productions Graphics Canada

Productions Graphics Centrale Europe

Productions Graphics Hellas

Productions Graphics Iberia

Productions Graphics UK

Taizhou EYELEVEL Store Fixtures Co., Ltd

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

France

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

China

India

Ireland

Turkey

Italy

Spain

Luxembourg

Netherlands

United Kingdom
Peru

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Singapore

South Africa

China
Turkey

Ukraine

  Mexico

Panama

Puerto Rico

Dominican Republic

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Hong Kong

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

France

France

Canada

Hungary

Greece

Spain

United Kingdom

China

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1) Registration Statements (Form S-3 Nos. 333-198721, 333-196758, 333-177535, 333-180423, 333-181815, 333-184362 and 
333-190638) of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries, and
(2) Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-196759, 333-137173, 333-165363, 333-175103, and 333-183311) pertaining to 
the InnerWorkings, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan;

of our reports dated March 10, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of InnerWorkings, Inc. 
and subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries included 
in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2015.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 10, 2016 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Eric D. Belcher, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of InnerWorkings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading 
with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, 
is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report 
based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing 
the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in 

the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:  

/ S /    ERIC D. BELCHER
Eric D. Belcher
Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 10, 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Jeffrey P. Pritchett, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of InnerWorkings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading 
with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, 
is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report 
based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing 
the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in 

the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:  

/ S /    JEFFREY P. PRITCHETT
Jeffrey P. Pritchett
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 10, 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 32.1

In  connection  with  the Annual  Report  of  InnerWorkings, Inc.  (the  “Company”)  on  Form 10-K  for  the  period  ending 
December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Eric D. Belcher, 
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Jeffrey P. Pritchett, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to our knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results 

of operations of the Company.

By:

By:

/ S /    ERIC D. BELCHER
Eric D. Belcher
Chief Executive Officer

/ S /    JEFFREY P. PRITCHETT
Jeffrey P. Pritchett
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 10, 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into this 23rd day of August, 2012 (the 
“Effective  Date”),  by  and  between  InnerWorkings,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  (the  “Company”),  and  Ronald 
Provenzano (“Executive”).

1. Employment: Position and Duties. The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to be 
employed by the Company, upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Executive shall be employed 
by the Company as the General Counsel of the Company. Executive will report directly to the Chief Executive 
Officer of the Company. In this capacity, Executive agrees to devote his full time, energy and skill to the 
faithful performance of his duties herein, and shall perform the duties and carry out the responsibilities assigned 
to him to the best of his ability and in a diligent, businesslike and efficient manner. Executive’s duties shall 
include all those duties customarily performed by a General Counsel of a company similar to Company, as 
well as those additional duties that may be reasonably assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board 
of Directors. Executive shall comply with any policies and procedures established for Company employees, 
including, without limitation, those policies and procedures contained in the Company’s employee handbook.

2. Term of Employment. Executive’s start date with the Company shall be September 4, 2012. This Agreement 
may be terminated by Executive or the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors, at any time, 
with or without Cause (as defined below). Upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company 
for any reason, neither party shall have any further obligation or liability under this Agreement to the other 
party, except as set forth in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16, and 17 of this Agreement.

3. Compensation. Executive shall be compensated by the Company for his services as follows:

(a) Base Salary. During the first four months of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive 
shall be paid a base salary (“Base Salary”) of $20,833 per month (or $250,000 on an annualized 
basis),  subject  to  applicable  withholding,  in  accordance  with  the  Company’s  normal  payroll 
procedures. Effective January 1, 2013, Executive’s Base Salary will be increased to $25,000 per 
month (or $300,000 on an annualized basis). Thereafter, starting in 2014, during the Company’s 
annual review process (to take place in the first quarter of the applicable calendar year), Executive’s 
Base Salary shall be reviewed on an annual basis for possible increase (but not decrease) based on 
the Company’s operating results and financial condition, salaries paid to other Company executives, 
and general marketplace and other applicable considerations. Such increased Base Salary, if any, 
shall then constitute Executive’s “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

(b) Benefits. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall have the right, on the same basis as 
other members of senior management of the Company, to participate in and to receive benefits under 
any  of  the  Company’s  employee  benefit  plans,  insurance  programs  and/or  indemnification 
agreements, as may be in effect from time to time, subject to any applicable waiting periods and other 
restrictions. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits afforded to other members of the 
senior executive team under the Company’s holiday and business expense reimbursement policies. 
Executive shall receive 4 weeks of vacation per year pursuant to the Company’s vacation policies. 
In addition, Company shall reimburse Executive for the full amount of his insurance costs should he 
elect to participate in the Company’s health insurance programs.

(c) Bonuses. Starting for the 2012 fiscal year, in addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible 
to receive bonus at a target of not less than fifty percent (50%) of his Base Salary. The Company will 
set  Executive’s  performance  goals  and  bonus  criteria  at  the  beginning  of  each  year,  and  the 
Performance Bonuses shall have a target payment date within 2-1/2 months following the end of the 
applicable fiscal year of the Company, but in no event shall the Performance Bonus be paid later than 
4 months from the end of the fiscal year on which the Performance Bonus is based. The Performance 
Bonus is intended to qualify for the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

(d) Equity Grant. On or about Executive’s first day of Employment, Executive will receive stock 
based  compensation  under  and  pursuant  to  the  Company  Stock  Incentive  Plan  (50%  stock 
options/50% restricted shares) equivalent to $750,000 in value, vesting ratably over a five year period 
on the anniversary date of the grant (i.e. $150,000 per year in value).

(e) Expenses. In addition to reimbursement for business expenses incurred by Executive in the normal 
and ordinary course of his employment by the Company pursuant to the Company’s standard business 
expense reimbursement policies and procedures, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the full 
amount of his insurance costs should he elect to participate in the Company’s health insurance program
(s).

4. Benefits Upon Termination.

(a) Termination for Cause or Termination for Other than Good Reason. In the event of the termination 
of  Executive’s  employment  by  the  Company  for  Cause  (as  defined  below),  the  termination  of 
Executive’s  employment  by  reason  of  his  death  or  disability,  or  the  termination  of  Executive’s 
employment by Executive for any reason other than Good Reason (as defined below), Executive 
shall be entitled to no further compensation or benefits from the Company following the date of 
termination,  except  the  Accrued  Obligations,  which  Accrued  Obligations  shall  be  paid  to  the 
Executive within thirty (30) days following the date of termination.

For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s “Accrued Obligations” include, to the extent 
not theretofore paid:

(i) the Executive’s Base Salary earned through the date of termination;

(ii) the Executive’s Benefits, vested or earned through the date of termination;

(iii) the Executive’s Performance Bonus for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal 
year in which the date of termination occurs if such award has been earned but has not been 
paid as of the date of termination;

(iv) the Executive’s vested restricted stock, stock options or other long-term or equity-based 
incentive compensation; and

(v) the Executive’s business expenses that have not been reimbursed by the Company as of 
the date of termination that were incurred by the Executive prior to the date of termination 
in accordance with the applicable Company policy.

For purposes of this Agreement, a termination for “Cause” occurs if Executive’s employment 
is terminated by the Company for any of the following reasons:

(A) theft, dishonesty, or falsification of any employment or Company records by Executive;

(B) the determination by the Board that Executive has committed an act or acts constituting 
a felony or any act involving moral turpitude;

(C) the determination by the Board that Executive has engaged in willful misconduct or 
gross  negligence  that  has  had  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company’s  reputation  or 
business; or

(D) the continuing material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement after 
receipt of written notice of such breach from the Board and a reasonable opportunity to cure 
such breach.

For purposes of this Agreement, a termination by the Executive shall be for “Good Reason” 
if Executive terminates his employment for any of the following reasons:

(1) the Company materially reduces Executive’s duties or authority below, or assigns
Executive duties that are materially inconsistent with, the duties and authority contemplated 
by Section 1 of this Agreement;

(2) the Company requires Executive to relocate his office more than 100 miles from the 
current office of the Company without his consent; or

(3) the Company has breached any provision of this Agreement, including but not limited 
to, the provisions relating to the payment or providing of compensation and Benefits in 
accordance with Section 3 above, and such breach continues for more than thirty (30) days 
after notice from Executive to the Company specifying the action which constitutes the 
breach and demanding its discontinuance;

(b) Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason. Each of the Company and Executive 
is free to terminate this Agreement, and Executive’s employment with the Company, at any time, for 
any reason, in its or Executive’s absolute sole discretion. If Executive’s employment is terminated 
by the Company for any reason other than for Cause or by reason of his death or disability, or if 
Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled 
to:

(i) receive continued payment of his Base Salary, less applicable withholding, in accordance 
with  the  Company’s  normal  payroll  procedures,  for  twelve  (12)  months  following  the 
termination of Executive’s employment;

(ii) immediate vesting of (A) restricted stock granted on or about the Effective Date, and 
(B) stock options granted on or about the Effective Date, in each case as if Executive’s 
employment had continued for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the termination 
of Executive’s employment.

(iii) the Accrued Obligations.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no payments shall be paid under this Section 
4(b)(i) or (ii) unless and until Executive shall have executed a general release and waiver 
of claims against the Company, acknowledging Executive’s obligations under Section 7 
below, and in a form prescribed by the Company; provided that, such release shall not require 
the Executive to release any rights to Accrued Obligations, rights under the Indemnification 
Provisions (as defined below), or under this Agreement, and the execution of such general 
release and waiver shall be a condition to Executive’s rights under Section 4(b)(i) or (ii). In 
addition, if Section 409A of the Code requires that a payment hereunder may not commence 
for a period of six (6) months following termination of employment, then such payments 
shall be withheld by the Company and paid as soon as permissible, along with such other 
monthly payments then due and payable.

5. Employee Inventions and Proprietary Rights Assignment Agreement. Executive agrees to abide by the terms 
and conditions of the Company’s standard Employee Inventions and Proprietary Rights Assignment Agreement 
as executed by Executive and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

6. Covenants Not to Compete or Solicit. During Executive’s employment and for a period of two (2) years 
following the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall not, anywhere in the 
Geographic Area (as defined below), other than on behalf of the Company or with the prior written consent 
of the Company, directly or indirectly:

(a) perform services for (whether as an employee, agent, consultant, advisor, independent contractor, 
proprietor, partner, officer, director or otherwise), have any ownership interest in (except for passive 
ownership of five percent (5%) or less of any entity whose securities have been registered under the 
Securities Act or Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), or participate in 
the  financing,  operation,  management  or  control  of,  any  firm,  partnership,  corporation,  entity  or 
business that engages or participates in a “competing business purpose” (as defined below);

(b)  induce  or  attempt  to  induce  any  customer,  potential  customer,  supplier,  licensee,  licensor  or 
business relation of the Company to cease doing business with the Company, or in any way interfere 
with the relationship between any customer, potential customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or business 
relation of the Company or solicit the business of any customer or potential customer of the Company, 
whether or not Executive had personal contact with such entity; and

(c) solicit, encourage, hire or take any other action which is intended to induce or encourage, or has 
the effect of inducing or encouraging, any employee or Independent Contractor of the Company or 
any subsidiary of the Company to terminate his or his employment or relationship with the Company 
or any subsidiary of the Company, other than in the discharge of his duties as an officer of the Company.

For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “competing business purpose” shall mean the sale or 
provision of any printed materials, items, or other products that are competitive with in any manner 
the products sold or offered by the Company during the term of this Agreement. The term “Geographic 
Area” shall mean the United States of America.

The covenants contained in this Section 7 shall be construed as a series of separate covenants, one 
for each county, city, state, or any similar subdivision in any Geographic Area. Except for geographic 
coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the covenant contained 
in the preceding Sections. If, in any judicial proceeding, a court refuses to enforce any of such separate 
covenants (or any part thereof), then such unenforceable covenant (or such part) shall be eliminated 
from this Agreement to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate covenants (or portions 
thereof) to be enforced. In the event that the provisions of this Section 7 are deemed to exceed the 
time,  geographic  or  scope  limitations  permitted  by  applicable  law,  then  such  provisions  shall  be 
reformed to the maximum time, geographic or scope limitations, as the case may be, permitted by 
applicable laws.

7. Equitable Remedies. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the agreements and covenants set forth in 
Sections 6 and 7 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company’s business interests, that 
irreparable injury will result to the Company if Executive breaches any of the terms of said covenants, and 
that in the event of Executive’s actual or threatened breach of any such covenants, the Company will have no 
adequate remedy at law. Executive accordingly agrees that, in the event of any actual or threatened breach by 
Executive of any of said covenants, the Company will be entitled to seek immediate injunctive and other 
equitable relief, without bond and without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. Nothing in this 
Section 8 will be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it for 
such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of any damages that it is able to prove.

8. Dispute Resolution. In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including, 
but  not  limited  to,  any  claims  of  breach  of  contract,  wrongful  termination  or  age,  sex,  race  or  other 
discrimination), Executive and the Company agree that all such disputes shall be fully and finally resolved 
by binding arbitration conducted by the American Arbitration Association in Chicago, Illinois in accordance 
with its National Employment Dispute Resolution rules, as those rules are currently in effect (and not as they 

may be modified in the future). Executive acknowledges that by accepting this arbitration provision he is 
waiving any right to a jury trial in the event of such dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration 
provision shall not apply to any disputes or claims relating to or arising out of the misuse or misappropriation 
of trade secrets or proprietary information.

9. Governing Law. This Agreement has been executed in the State of Illinois, and Executive and the Company 
agree that this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of 
Illinois, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

10. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company 
and its successors and assigns, provided that successor or assignee is the successor to substantially all of the 
assets of the Company, or a majority of its then outstanding Units, and that such successor or assignee assumes 
the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company under this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter 
of law. In view of the personal nature of the services to be performed under this Agreement by Executive, she 
shall not have the right to assign or transfer any of his rights, obligations or benefits under this Agreement, 
except as otherwise noted herein.

11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including its attached Exhibit A, constitutes the entire employment 
agreement between Executive and the Company regarding the terms and conditions of his employment. This 
Agreement  supersedes  all  prior  negotiations,  representations  or  agreements  between  Executive  and  the 
Company, whether written or oral, concerning Executive’s employment.

12. No Conflict. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither his entry into this Agreement 
nor his performance of his obligations hereunder will conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions 
or provisions of any other agreement or obligation to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is 
bound, including without limitation, any noncompetition or confidentiality agreement previously entered into 
by Executive.

13. Validity. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7, above, if anyone or more of the provisions (or any 
part thereof) of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, 
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) shall not in any way be affected 
or impaired thereby.

14. Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a written agreement signed by 
Executive and the Company.

15.  Code  Section  409.  This Agreement  is  intended  to  comply  with  Section  409A  of  the  Code,  and  the 
interpretative  guidance  thereunder,  including  the  exceptions  for  short-term  deferrals,  separation  pay 
arrangements,  reimbursements,  and  in  kind  distributions,  and  shall  be  administratively  administered 
accordingly. The Executive hereby agrees that the Company may, without further consent from the Executive, 
make the minimum changes to this Agreement as may be necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of 
additional taxes or penalties on the Executive pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. The Company cannot 
guarantee that the payments and benefits that may be paid or provided pursuant to this Agreement will satisfy 
all applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code. In the case of any
reimbursement payment which is required to be made promptly under this Agreement, such payment will be 
made in all instances no later than December 31,of the Calendar year following the Calendar year in which 
the obligation to make such reimbursement arises. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payments or benefits 
under this Agreement become subject to Section 409A of the Code, then for the purpose of complying therewith, 
to the extent such payments or benefits do not satisfy the separation pay exemption described in Treasury 
Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) or any other exemption available under Section 409A of the Code (the “Non-
Exempt Payments”), if the Executive is a specified employee as described in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1
(i) on the Date of Termination, any amount of such Non-Exempt Payments which would be paid prior to the 
six-month anniversary of the Date of Termination shall instead be accumulated and paid to the Executive in 
a lump sum payment within five (5) business days after such six month anniversary.

16. Adjustments Due to Excise Tax.

(a) If it is determined that any amount or benefit to be paid or payable to the Executive under this 
Agreement or otherwise in conjunction with his employment (whether paid or payable or distributed 
or  distributable  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or  otherwise  in  conjunction  with  his 
employment) would give rise to liability of the Executive for the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 
of the Code, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision (the “Excise Tax”), then the 
amount  or  benefits  payable  to  the  Executive  (the  total  value  of  such  amounts  or  benefits,  the 
“Payments”)  shall  be  reduced  by  the  Company  to  the  extent  necessary  so  that  no  portion  of  the 
Payments to the Executive is subject to the Excise Tax. Such reduction shall only be made if the net 
amount of the Payments, as so reduced (and after deduction of applicable federal, state, and local 
income  and  payroll  taxes  on  such  reduced  Payments  other  than  the  Excise Tax  (collectively,  the 
“Deductions”)) is greater than the excess of (1) the net amount of the Payments, without reduction 
(but after making the Deductions) over (2) the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would 
be subject in respect of such Payments. In the event Payments are required to be reduced pursuant 
to this Section 17(a), the Executive shall designate the order in which such amounts or benefits shall 
be reduced in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.

(b) The independent public accounting firm serving as the Company's auditing firm, or such other 
accounting firm, law firm or professional consulting services provider of national reputation and 
experience reasonably acceptable to the Company and Executive (the “Accountants”) shall make in 
writing  in  good  faith  all  calculations  and  determinations  under  this  Section  17,  including  the 
assumptions to be used in arriving at any calculations. For purposes of making the calculations and 
determinations under this Section 17, the Accountants and each other party may make reasonable 
assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of 
the  Code.  The  Company  and  Executive  shall  furnish  to  the  Accountants  and  each  other  such 
information and documents as the Accountants and each other may reasonably request to make the 
calculations  and  determinations  under  this  Section  17.  The  Company  shall  bear  all  costs  the 
Accountants incur in connection with any calculations contemplated hereby.

17. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by the indemnification provisions of the laws of the state 
or jurisdiction of the Company, as applicable, organization in effect from time to time, and subject to the 
conditions thereof, the Company shall:

(a) indemnify the Executive against all liabilities and reasonable expenses that the Executive may 
incur in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal or 
administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal, because the Executive is or was an 
officer or director of or service provider to the Company, the Partnership, the Parent or any of their 
respective affiliates provided, however, that the Executive shall have acted in good faith and in a 
manner that the Executive reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and

(b) pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses upon submission of appropriate documentation 
incurred by the Executive in the defense of any proceeding to which the Executive is a party because 
the Executive is or was an officer or director of or service provider to the Company, the Partnership, 
the Parent or any of their respective affiliates, including an advancement of such expenses to the 
extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  subject  to  the  Executive’s  execution  of  any  legally  required 
repayment undertaking.

The preceding indemnification right shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights to indemnification to which 
the Executive may be entitled pursuant to the documents under which the Company is organized as in effect from time 
to  time  and  shall  not  apply  with  respect  to  any  action  or  failure  to  act  by  the  Executive  which  constitutes  willful 
misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Executive. The indemnification rights of the Executive in this Section 18 are 
referred to below as the “Indemnification Provisions.” The rights of the Executive under the Indemnification Provisions 

shall survive the cessation of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The Company shall also maintain a 
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy, or an equivalent errors and omissions liability insurance policy, covering 
the Executive with reasonable scope, exclusions, amounts and deductibles based on the Executive’s
positions with the Company.

Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Company  shall  have  no  obligation  to  indemnify,  defend  or  hold  harmless  the 
Executive from and against any liabilities and expenses, or to pay for, or reimburse the Executive for, any expenses 
arising from or relating to (a) the Executive’s gross negligence or intentional or willful misconduct, or (b) actions or 
claims which are initiated by the Executive unless such action was approved in advance by the Board.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the 23rd day of August, 2012.

* * * * *

INNERWORKINGS, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By: _/s/ Joseph Busky ________________
Its: ____CFO _______________________

EXHIBIT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

___/s/ Ron Provenzano________________________
Ronald Provenzano

Exhibit A—Employee Inventions and Proprietary Rights Assignment Agreement

letter from the ceo

board of directors

Jack M. Greenberg
Chairman of the Board
Retired Chairman and CEO,
McDonald’s Corporation

Eric D. Belcher
President and Chief Executive Officer,
InnerWorkings

Charles K. Bobrinskoy
Vice Chairman and Head of Investment Group,
Ariel Investments

executive officers

Eric D. Belcher
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey P. Pritchett
Chief Financial Officer
Ronald C. Provenzano
General Counsel
Robert L. Burkart
Chief Information Officer

shareholder information

Corporate Headquarters
InnerWorkings, Inc.
600 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
312.642.3700

Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, IL

Annual Meeting
InnerWorkings’ shareholders are invited to
attend our annual meeting, which will be
held on June 3, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. (CT)
at our Corporate Headquarters.

Common Stock
The common stock of InnerWorkings, Inc. is
traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under
the symbol “INWK.”

Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer and
Trust Company, LLC
Shareholder Services
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
800.937.5449
www.amstock.com

inwk

corporate information

David Fisher
Chairman and CEO,
Enova International, Inc.

Daniel M. Friedberg
President and CEO,
Sagard Capital Partners

J. Patrick Gallagher Jr.
Chairman and CEO,
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Julie M. Howard
Chairman and CEO,
Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Linda S. Wolf
Retired Chairman and CEO,
Leo Burnett Worldwide

committees

Audit Committee
Charles K. Bobrinskoy (Chair)
David Fisher
Julie M. Howard
Linda S. Wolf

Compensation Committee
J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. (Chair)
Charles K. Bobrinskoy
David Fisher
Jack M. Greenberg
Julie M. Howard
Linda S. Wolf
Daniel M. Friedberg

Nominating & Corporate
Governance Committee
Linda S. Wolf (Chair)
J. Patrick Gallagher Jr.
Jack M. Greenberg
Julie M. Howard
Daniel M. Friedberg

My fellow shareholders,

In 2015, we further developed and deployed our powerful B2B technology, focused and 

strengthened our global service offering, and deepened our category expertise across the 

most meaningful elements of the marketing supply chain, particularly packaging, 

e-commerce, and retail displays. As a result, we enter 2016 with momentum directed at 

generating shareholder value by allowing us to maximize returns on our invested capital.

Our path to arrive at the strong competitive position we are in today hasn’t been a straight 

line. There has been some trial and error, and associated expense, along the way, driven by 

our ambition to disrupt, and ultimately dominate, the marketing execution space within the 

world's largest and most successful companies.

We initiated a number of meaningful changes in 2015 in our drive to maximize shareholder 

value. First, under leadership from our new CFO, Jeff Pritchett, we’ve adjusted incentive 

compensation to include capital charges in regional P&L’s and sales commissions, and we’ve 

linked executive bonuses more directly to return on invested capital. Second, we improved 

the commercial terms with our supplier base.  Third, we streamlined our lower margin 

international operations. And finally, we are attacking our days sales outstanding through 

better billing practices, operational improvements, and improved collections and contractual 

terms, where we see real opportunities to better manage our cash flow.

Our earnings growth in 2015 was strong, and we head into 2016 with a lot of potential for 

further gains. Our top-line growth in 2015, however, was muted. Currency fluctuations 

impacted our revenue, which is no excuse for delivering a lower organic growth rate than we 

have realized historically. We made the decision to expand our business globally, and 

exposure to foreign currencies was part of the calculation.

There are two observations to make here. First, the effect of currency moves on our bottom 

line was small, as most of our direct costs for each client are in the same currency as our 

revenue from that client. Second, the decision to establish a global platform benefits our 

clients and our shareholders. Our target market is weighted heavily toward multi-national 

corporations, many of which are thinking globally and are looking to a partner like 

InnerWorkings that can provide coherent support to their brands around the world, 

eliminating their historical, sub-optimal, and largely disjointed regional solutions.

Even with the lower reported sales growth figures of 2015, we remain a quintessential 

growth company, with a focused, organic growth strategy. Our opportunity is vast, as we 

have first mover, geographic, technology and category expertise advantages. The growth 

potential isn’t just with new clients, as we have a lot of growth potential within our existing 

client base, and we made tangible investments in the second half of 2015 to access this 

opportunity. We aren’t growing simply to maintain a lead on current and future potential 

competitors. We are doing so to create shareholder value. Growth improves our profit 

margins through operating leverage, and scale creates buying power and other market 

benefits which translate into higher returns.

Some interesting facts that you may not know about InnerWorkings:

1

Traditional commercial print, our original product category, now represents a much 

smaller portion of our business than it did just a few years ago. The characteristics of  

 
   
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annual report 2015

we make marketing happen.

600 West Chicago Avenue  •  Chicago, Illinois 60654  •  inwk.com

inwk