Press Releases

Spark Networks® Reports Fourth Quarter Revenue Growth of 27% behind 114% Increase in Other Affinity Networks Revenue

March 1, 2012

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 1, 2012) - Spark Networks, Inc. (NYSE Amex: LOV), a leading provider of online personals services, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

    Q4 2011     Full Year 2011  
Revenue   $ 12.9 Million     $ 48.5 Million  
Contribution Margin     41 %     47 %
Net Loss   $ 1.1 Million     $ 1.6 Million  
Net Loss Per Share   $ 0.05     $ 0.08  

"2011 was a year of many 'firsts' for us. Most notably, we objectively demonstrated Spark is more than just Jewish Networks with our Other Affinity Networks subscriber base cresting 100,000 and surpassing that of our Jewish Networks segment," said Greg Liberman, Spark's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The 78% increase in Other Affinity Networks revenue drove company-wide revenue up 19% for the year, the first time since 2006 we have grown annual revenue. And, that revenue growth was driven by an increase in subscribers, with company-wide average paying subscribers1 up 21% for the year behind a 60% increase in Other Affinity Networks average paying subscribers."

"Not only am I pleased to report our full year results, but also another solid quarter, as company-wide revenue and average paying subscribers grew 27% and 32%, respectively, powered by Other Affinity Networks' 114% increase in revenue and 89% increase in average paying subscribers when compared to Q4 2010."

Financial Results
Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $12.9 million, an increase of 27% compared to $10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, and an increase of 1% compared to $12.7 million in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 revenue was $48.5 million, a 19% increase compared to $40.9 million for full year 2010.

Contribution2 for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $5.2 million, a decrease of 24% compared to $6.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, and a 15% decrease compared to $6.2 million in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 contribution was $22.8 million, a 24% decrease compared to $30.1 million for full year 2010.

Total cost and expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $13.5 million, a 51% increase compared to $9.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, and a 7% increase compared to $12.7 million in the prior quarter. Full year total cost and expenses were $49.6 million, a 43% increase compared to $34.6 million for full year 2010.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $1.1 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to net income of $626,000 or $0.03 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010 and a net loss of $238,000 or $0.01 per share for the prior quarter. Full year 2011 net loss was $1.6 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to net income of $3.7 million or $0.18 per share for full year 2010.

Adjusted EBITDA3 for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $1.0 million, a decrease of 47% compared to $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, and an increase of 61% compared to $639,000 in the prior quarter. A 173% increase in Other Affinity Networks direct marketing expense accounted for a substantial portion of the decrease in year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA results. Full year 2011 Adjusted EBITDA was $2.6 million, a 72% decrease compared to $9.4 million for full year 2010.

Average paying subscribers for the Company, as a whole, in the fourth quarter of 2011 were 212,850, an increase of 32% compared to 160,744 for the fourth quarter of 2010 and a 3% increase compared to 206,099 for the prior quarter. Full year 2011 average paying subscribers were 196,850, a 21% increase compared to 162,311 for full year 2010.

Segment Reporting4

Fourth quarter 2011 revenue for Jewish Networks was $6.7 million, a decrease of 3% compared to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and flat compared to the prior quarter. Full year 2011 Jewish Networks revenue was $27.1 million, a decrease of 1% compared to $27.4 million for full year 2010.

Fourth quarter 2011 revenue for Other Affinity Networks was $5.9 million, an increase of 114% compared to $2.8 million in fourth quarter 2010, and an increase of 4% compared to $5.7 million in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 Other Affinity Networks revenue was $20.1 million, a 78% increase compared to $11.3 million for full year 2010.

Fourth quarter 2011 revenue for General Market Networks was $107,000, a decrease of 55% compared to $236,000 in fourth quarter 2010, and a 16% decrease compared to $127,000 in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 General Market Networks revenue was $578,000, a 51% decrease compared to $1.2 million for full year 2010.

Fourth quarter 2011 revenue for Offline & Other Businesses was $105,000, a decrease of 34% compared to $160,000 in fourth quarter 2010, and a 5% decrease compared to $111,000 in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 Offline & Other Businesses revenue was $772,000, a 20% decrease compared to $964,000 for full year 2010.

Average paying subscribers for Jewish Networks were 87,101 during the fourth quarter of 2011, a decrease of 3% compared to 89,723 in the fourth quarter of 2010, and a decrease of 2% compared to 88,976 in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 Jewish Networks average paying subscribers were 89,429, a decrease of 1% compared to 90,452 for full year 2010.

Average paying subscribers for Other Affinity Networks were 123,139 during the fourth quarter of 2011, an increase of 89% compared to 65,172 in the fourth quarter of 2010 and an increase of 8% compared to 113,972 in the prior quarter. Full year Other Affinity Networks average paying subscribers were 103,768, an increase of 60% compared to 64,851 for full year 2010.

Average paying subscribers for General Market Networks were 2,158 during the fourth quarter of 2011, a decrease of 58% compared to 5,174 in the fourth quarter of 2010, and a decrease of 20% compared to 2,702 in the prior quarter. Full year 2011 General Market Networks average paying subscribers were 3,138, a decrease of 50% compared to 6,328 for full year 2010.

Balance Sheet, Cash, Debt

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $15.1 million, an increase of 8.7% compared to $13.9 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no outstanding debt.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will discuss its financial results during a live teleconference today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time.

Call Title: Spark Networks Q4 '11 Financial Results
Toll-Free (United States): 1-888-634-7543
International: 1-719-325-2106
Passcode: 1049461
   
Digital Replay through March 15, 2012:
Toll-Free (United States): 1-888-203-1112
International: 1-719-457-0820
Passcode: 1049461

In addition, the Company will host a webcast of the call which will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site under "Conference Calls and Presentations" at: http://www.spark.net/investor.htm.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Written words, such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intends," "goal," "objective," "seek," "attempt," or variations of these or similar words, identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially, including, but not limited to our ability to: attract members; convert members into paying subscribers and retain our paying subscribers; develop or acquire new product offerings and successfully implement and expand those offerings; keep pace with rapid technological changes; maintain the strength of our existing brands and maintain and enhance those brands and our dependence upon the telecommunications infrastructure and our networking hardware and software infrastructure; identify and consummate strategic acquisitions and integrate acquired companies or assets; obtain financing on acceptable terms; and successfully implement both cost cutting initiatives and our current long-term growth strategy. For a discussion of these and further risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our public filings with the SEC also are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/.

About Spark Networks, Inc.:

The Spark Networks portfolio of consumer websites includes, among others, JDate®.com (www.jdate.com), Spark®.com (www.spark.com), BlackSingles.com® (www.blacksingles.com), ChristianMingle®.com (www.christianmingle.com) and SilverSingles®.com (www.silversingles.com).

1 "Average paying subscribers" are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to communication and Web site features beyond those provided to our members. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period.

2 "Contribution" is defined as revenue, net of credits and credit card chargebacks, less direct marketing and "Contribution Margin" is defined as Contribution divided by revenue, net of credits and credit card chargebacks.

3 The Company reports Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This measure is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, budget, forecast and compensate management. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a consistent view, period to period, of the core earnings generated from on-going operations and excludes the impact of: (i) non-cash items such as stock-based compensation, asset impairments, non-cash currency translation adjustments related to an inter-company loan and (ii) one- time items that have not occurred in the past two years and are not expected to recur in the next two years, such as the Scheme of Arrangement. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net income (loss) (as determined in accordance with GAAP) for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance or financial position, as Adjusted EBITDA is not defined by GAAP.

"Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of long-lived assets, non-cash currency translation adjustments for inter-company loans and the income recognized from non-cash assets received in connection with a legal judgment.

4 In accordance with Segment Reporting guidance, the Company's financial reporting includes detailed data on four separate operating segments. The Jewish Networks segment consists of the Company's JDate.com, JDate.co.il, JDate.fr, JDate.co.uk and Cupid.co.il Web sites and their respective co-branded Web sites. The General Market Networks segment consists of the Company's Spark.com Web site (formerly known as AmericanSingles.com, Date.co.uk and Date.ca) and its co-branded and private label Web sites. The Other Affinity Networks segment consists of all of the Company's Provo, Utah-based properties which primarily consist of sites targeted at various religious, ethnic, geographic and special interest groups including BlackSingles.com, ChristianMingle.com and SilverSingles.com. The Offline & Other Businesses segment consists of revenue generated from offline activities and HurryDate events and subscriptions.

(Consolidated financial statements to follow)

   
SPARK NETWORKS, INC.  
BALANCE SHEET  
(in thousands, except share data)  
   
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
Assets                
                 
Current assets:                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 15,106     $ 13,901  
  Restricted cash     958       996  
  Accounts receivable     1,146       847  
  Deferred tax asset - current     44       43  
  Prepaid expenses and other     1,164       911  
    Total current assets     18,418       16,698  
Property and equipment, net     2,839       2,520  
Goodwill     8,683       9,156  
Intangible assets, net     1,900       3,017  
Deferred tax asset - non-current     5,641       4,882  
Deposits and other assets     455       295  
      Total assets   $ 37,936     $ 36,568  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                
Current liabilities:                
  Accounts payable   $ 952     $ 1,371  
  Accrued liabilities     4,046       3,635  
  Deferred revenue     5,723       4,331  
  Deferred tax liability - current     203       --  
    Total current liabilities     10,924       9,337  
Deferred tax liability     1,219       825  
Other liabilities non-current     1,141       1,036  
      Total liabilities     13,284       11,198  
Commitments and contingencies     --       --  
Stockholders' equity:                
Authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 Common Stock, $0.001 par value; issued and outstanding 20,594,670 at December 31, 2011 and 20,587,336 shares as of December 31, 2010, at stated values of:     21       21  
      Additional paid-in-capital     53,014       52,020  
      Accumulated other comprehensive income     672       773  
      Accumulated deficit     (29,055 )     (27,444 )
      Total stockholders' equity     24,652       25,370  
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 37,936     $ 36,568  
 
   
   
SPARK NETWORKS, INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)  
   
    Three Months Ended
December 31,
   
Years Ended
December 31,
 
    2011     2010     2011     2010     2009  
                                         
Revenue   $ 12,861     $ 10,109     $ 48,493     $ 40,851     $ 45,388  
Cost and expenses:                                        
  Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)     8,420       4,002       28,955       13,749       15,207  
  Sales and marketing     1,062       788       3,722       3,496       3,507  
  Customer service     539       420       1,980       1,601       1,832  
  Technical operations     281       302       1,367       1,232       1,504  
  Development     643       760       2,710       3,092       3,895  
  General and administrative     1,071       2,141       8,068       9,782       9,932  
  Depreciation     343       263       1,320       962       873  
  Amortization of intangible assets     89       97       370       421       663  
  Impairment of intangible assets and other assets     1,100       187       1,145       308       11,999  
Total cost and expenses     13,548       8,960       49,637       34,643       49,412  
                                         
Operating (loss) income     (687 )     1,149       (1,144 )     6,208       (4,024 )
                                         
Interest expense (income) and other, net     144       (72 )     162       (54 )     (1,099 )
                                         
(Loss) income before income taxes     (831 )     1,221       (1,306 )     6,262       (2,925 )
                                         
Provision for income taxes     277       595       305       2,558       3,479  
                                         
Net (loss) income   $ (1,108 )   $ 626     $ (1,611 )   $ 3,704     $ (6,404 )
Net (loss) income per share - basic and diluted   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.03     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.18     $ (0.31 )
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic     20,595       20,587       20,591       20,586       20,570  
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted     20,595       20,588       20,591       20,590       20,570  
 
           
           
    Three Months   Twelve Months  
    Ended December 31,   Ended December 31,  
Stock-Based Compensation   2011   2010   2011   2010   2009  
  (in thousands)                                
                                   
Cost of revenue   $ 2   $ 3   $ 8   $ 11   $ 17  
Sales and marketing     15     35     80     233     184  
Customer service     -     -     -     1     (14 )
Technical operations     31     33     119     167     158  
Development     10     12     42     54     29  
General and administrative     125     187     657     1,044     667  
 
   
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:  
    Three Months Ended     Years Ended  
  (in thousands)   December 31,     December 31,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010     2009  
                                         
Net (loss) income   $ (1,108 )   $ 626     $ (1,611 )   $ 3,704     $ (6,404 )
Interest     13       51       102       207       378  
Taxes     277       595       305       2,558       3,479  
Depreciation     343       263       1,320       962       873  
Amortization     89       97       370       421       663  
EBITDA     (386 )     1,632       486       7,852       (1,011 )
Stock-based compensation     183       270       906       1,510       1,041  
Impairment of intangible assets and other assets     1,100       187       1,145       308       11,999  
Non-cash currency translation adjustments     132       (133 )     337       (269 )     (30 )
Non-repetitive property possession     --       --       (247 )     --       (1,507 )
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,029     $ 1,956     $ 2,627     $ 9,401     $ 10,492  
 
 
 
SPARK NETWORKS, INC.
SEGMENT RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS
(in thousands except subscriber information)
 
    Three Months Ended   Years Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2011     2010   2011     2010   2009
                                   
Revenue                                  
Jewish Networks   $ 6,700     $ 6,930   $ 27,054     $ 27,440   $ 28,842
Other Affinity Networks     5,949       2,783     20,089       11,279     12,771
General Market Networks     107       236     578       1,168     2,692
Offline & Other Businesses     105       160     772       964     1,083
  Total Revenue   $ 12,861     $ 10,109   $ 48,493     $ 40,851   $ 45,388
                                   
Direct Marketing Expenses                                  
Jewish Networks   $ 929     $ 586   $ 3,389     $ 2,321   $ 2,346
Other Affinity Networks     6,640       2,436     21,459       7,292     8,502
General Market Networks     17       175     364       582     676
Offline & Other Businesses     49       62     512       535     541
  Total Direct Marketing Expenses   $ 7,635     $ 3,259   $ 25,724     $ 10,730   $ 12,065
                                   
Contribution                                  
Jewish Networks   $ 5,771     $ 6,344   $ 23,665     $ 25,119   $ 26,496
Other Affinity Networks     (691 )     347     (1,370 )     3,987     4,269
General Market Networks     90       61     214       586     2,016
Offline & Other Businesses     56       98     260       429     542
  Total Contribution   $ 5,226     $ 6,850   $ 22,769     $ 30,121   $ 33,323
                                   
Average Paying Subscribers                                  
Jewish Networks     87,101       89,723     89,429       90,452     86,030
Other Affinity Networks     123,139       65,172     103,768       64,851     66,078
General Market Networks     2,158       5,174     3,138       6,328     13,219
Offline & Other Businesses     452       675     515       680     940
  Total Average Paying Subscribers     212,850       160,744     196,850       162,311     166,267

Contact Information

For More Information
Investors:
Brett Zane
+ 1-323-658-3000 ext. 4001
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