MDC Partners Inc. Reports Record Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

NEW YORK, July 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:   

• Revenue increased from $273.5 million to $288.1 million, an increase of 5.3%  
• Organic revenue increased 5.7%
• EBITDA increased from $32.3 million to $43.4 million, an increase of 34.3%
• EBITDA margin increased 330 basis points from 11.8% to 15.1%, an increase of 28.0%
• Free Cash Flow increased from $15.0 million to $25.9 million, an increase of 72.8%
• Net New Business wins totaled $20.3 million
• Net Debt-to-EBITDA leverage declined to 3.1x at June 30, 2013, from 3.4x at March 31, 2013

YEAR TO DATE HIGHLIGHTS:   

• Revenue increased from $508.7 million to $555.2 million, an increase of 9.1% 
• Organic revenue increased 9.3%
• EBITDA increased from $40.7 million to $73.8 million, an increase of 81.4%
• EBITDA margin increased 530 basis points from 8.0% to 13.3%, an increase of 66.3%
• Free Cash Flow increased from $7.9 million to $40.8 million, an increase of 419.4%
• Net New Business wins totaled $73.3 million

MDC Partners Inc. ("MDC Partners" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. 

Miles S. Nadal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MDC Partners, said, "Our second quarter results were very strong.  Organic revenue grew an impressive 5.7% and EBITDA increased 34%, representing a 330 basis point increase in EBITDA margin.  Our stellar financial profile is a direct result of our ability to deliver tangible, measurable financial results for our clients through our marketing communications, technology, data analytics insights and strategic consulting capabilities, which in turn solidifies strong client relationships, higher value work, and opportunities to integrate and provide more solutions to clients across MDC Partner firms.  Our results in the first half of the year, as well as our solid new business pipeline, give us the confidence to once again increase our financial guidance for 2013.  We now expect revenue growth of between 8% and 10%, EBITDA growth of between 28% and 33% and Free Cash Flow growth of between 61% and 71%.  For the longer-term, on an organic basis, we expect to convert mid-to-high single digit revenue growth into double digit EBITDA growth.  This would imply free cash flow growth in excess of 20%."

Guidance for 2013 is revised as follows:

Consolidated revenue for the second quarter of 2013 was $288.1 million, an increase of 5.3% compared to $273.5 million in the second quarter of 2012.  EBITDA for the second quarter of 2013 was $43.4 million, an increase of 34.3% compared to $32.3 million in the second quarter of 2012, as the company realized 330 basis points of EBITDA margin expansion.  Net income attributable to MDC Partners in the second quarter was $9.8 million compared to a loss of ($20.1) million in the second quarter of 2012.  Diluted income per share from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders for the second quarter of 2013 was $0.30 compared to a loss of ($0.57) per share in the same period of 2012.  Free cash flow was $25.9 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared with $15.0 million in the second quarter of 2012. 

For the six month period ended June 30, 2013, consolidated revenue was $555.2 million, an increase of 9.1% compared to $508.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012.  EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2013 increased 81.4% to $73.8 million compared to $40.7 million in the same period of 2012.  Loss attributable to MDC Partners in the six months ended June 30, 2013 was ($33.3) million compared to a loss of ($46.4) million in 2012 as a result of $55.6 million of expenses related to the redemption of Notes in the Company's recent refinancing.  Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was ($1.01) compared to a loss of ($1.41) per share in the same period of 2012.  Cash flows provided by continuing operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2013 were $54.6 million compared to ($3.5) million used in the same period of 2012.  Free cash flow was $40.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared with $7.9 million in the same period of 2012.

David Doft, CFO of MDC Partners, said, "Our outstanding financial performance has allowed us to continue to improve our balance sheet.  As of the end of the second quarter, our leverage was 3.1 times net debt-to-EBITDA, well ahead of our long-term plan.  In addition, we expect our cash balance to increase as we continue to grow and scale our platform as a significant portion of our incremental revenue flows through to the bottom line.  While we will certainly utilize the cash on our balance sheet to invest in the growth of the business, we also believe that it is prudent to return cash to shareholders in the form of a dividend.  As such, we are returning to paying our dividend quarterly and are increasing the payout 21% to $0.17 per share from the implied $0.14 per share quarterly paid previously." 

MDC Partners Announces $0.17 per Share Quarterly Cash Dividend

MDC Partners today also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share on all of its outstanding Class A shares and Class B shares for the third quarter of 2013.  This dividend will be payable on or about August 20, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 6, 2013.  In the future, the company expects to pay four quarterly dividends per year rather than the two semi-annual dividends previously declared.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. (ET) to discuss results.  The conference call will be accessible by dialing 1-412-858-4600 or toll free 1-866-605-3852.  An investor presentation has been posted on our website www.mdc-partners.com and will be referred to during the conference call.

A recording of the conference call will be available one hour after the call until 9:00 a.m.August 9, 2013, by dialing 1-412-317-0088 or toll free 1-877-344-7529 (passcode 10031503) or by visiting our website at www.mdc-partners.com.

About MDC Partners Inc.

MDC Partners is one of the world's largest Business Transformation Organizations that utilizes technology, marketing communications, data analytics, insights and strategic consulting solutions to drive meaningful returns on Marketing and Communications Investments for multinational clients in the United States, Canada, and worldwide.

MDC Partners' durable competitive advantage is to Empower the Most Talented Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders to Drive Business Success to new levels of Achievement, for both our Clients and our Shareholders, reinforcing MDC Partners' reputation as "The Place Where Great Talent Lives."

MDC Partners' Class A shares are publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "MDCA" and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDZ.A".

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to its reported results, MDC Partners has included in this earnings release certain financial results that the Securities and Exchange Commission defines as "non-GAAP financial measures."  Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the Company's reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period to period comparisons of the Company's results. These non-GAAP financial measures relate to: (1) presenting EBITDA and EBITDA margin (as defined) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012; and (2) presenting Free Cash Flow for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.  Included in this earnings release are tables reconciling MDC's reported results to arrive at these non-GAAP financial measures.  In addition, Net Debt is defined in our credit facility as debt due pertaining to the revolving credit facility plus debt pertaining to the Senior Notes less total cash and cash equivalents.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Company's representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally from time to time. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, earnings guidance, recent business and economic trends, potential acquisitions, estimates of amounts for deferred acquisition consideration and "put" option rights, constitute forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined in this section.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events, if any.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• risks associated with severe effects of international, national and regional economic downturn;
• the Company's ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
• the spending patterns and financial success of the Company's clients;
• the Company's ability to retain and attract key employees;
• the Company's ability to remain in compliance with its debt agreements and the Company's ability to finance its contingent payment obligations when due and payable, including but not limited to those relating to "put" option right and deferred acquisition consideration;
• the successful completion and integration of acquisitions which complement and expand the Company's business capabilities; and
• foreign currency fluctuations.

The Company's business strategy includes ongoing efforts to engage in material acquisitions of ownership interests in entities in the marketing communications services industry.  The Company intends to finance these acquisitions by using available cash from operations, from borrowings under its credit facility and through incurrence of bridge or other debt financing, any of which may increase the Company's leverage ratios, or by issuing equity, which may have a dilutive impact on existing shareholders proportionate ownership.  At any given time the Company may be engaged in a number of discussions that may result in one or more material acquisitions.  These opportunities require confidentiality and may involve negotiations that require quick responses by the Company.  Although there is uncertainty that any of these discussions will result in definitive agreements or the completion of any transactions, the announcement of any such transaction may lead to increased volatility in the trading price of the Company's securities. 

Investors should carefully consider these risk factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors" and in the Company's other SEC filings.

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SOURCE MDC Partners Inc.