Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2009

 

¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number: 1-10991

 

 

VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   38-2760940

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

19975 Victor Parkway

Livonia, Michigan 48152

(address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number: (734) 591-3000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and, (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of November 2, 2009, there were 48,159,632 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Valassis Communications, Inc.

Index to Quarterly Report

on Form 10-Q

Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

 

          Page
Part I - Financial Information   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   1
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

   3
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

   4
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.

  

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

   20

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    30

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    30
Part II - Other Information   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    31

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    31

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    32

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    32

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    32

Item 5.

   Other Information    32

Item 6.

   Exhibits    32
Signature    33


Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

Assets

   Sept. 30,
2009
    Dec. 31,
2008
 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 110,865      $ 126,556   

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,872 at September 30, 2009 and $9,887 at December 31, 2008)

     416,046        479,749   

Inventories:

    

Raw materials

     19,208        29,662   

Work in progress

     15,116        18,511   

Prepaid expenses and other

     25,820        31,235   

Deferred income taxes

     1,731        1,879   

Refundable income taxes

     23,434        15,509   
                

Total current assets

     612,220        703,101   
                

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

    

Land and buildings

     43,871        43,832   

Machinery and equipment

     216,031        215,551   

Office furniture and equipment

     205,360        199,712   

Automobiles

     1,200        214   

Leasehold improvements

     28,737        25,456   
                
     495,199        484,765   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (290,271     (250,828
                

Net property, plant and equipment

     204,928        233,937   
                

Intangible assets:

    

Goodwill

     640,091        640,939   

Other intangibles, net

     242,015        251,483   
                

Net intangible assets

     882,106        892,422   
                

Investments

     2,481        2,555   

Other assets

     19,458        21,166   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,721,193      $ 1,853,181   
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Continued

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   Sept. 30,
2009
    Dec. 31,
2008
 

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion long-term debt

   $ 6,197      $ 90,855   

Accounts payable

     299,781        337,359   

Accrued interest

     8,882        16,677   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     60,773        45,348   

Accrued other expenses

     36,655        40,830   

Progress billings

     40,306        44,539   
                

Total current liabilities

     452,594        575,608   
                

Long-term debt

     1,046,229        1,111,712   

Other non-current liabilities

     59,192        66,029   

Deferred income taxes

     99,639        94,418   

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock of $0.01 par value. Authorized 25,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

    

Common stock of $0.01 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 63,619,896 at September 30, 2009 and 63,533,092 at December 31, 2008; outstanding 48,140,779 at September 30, 2009 and 48,053,975 at December 31, 2008

     636        635   

Additional paid-in capital

     93,425        87,305   

Retained earnings

     498,739        455,963   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (9,091     (18,319

Treasury stock, at cost (15,479,117 shares at September 30, 2009 and 15,479,117 shares at December 31, 2008)

     (520,170     (520,170
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     63,539        5,414   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,721,193      $ 1,853,181   
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended Sept. 30,     Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Revenues

   $ 544,064      $ 563,651      $ 1,639,256      $ 1,755,657   

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of products sold

     407,572        453,045        1,245,105        1,369,372   

Selling, general and administrative

     90,660        93,872        263,547        287,920   

Amortization expense

     3,156        2,306        9,468        6,917   
                                

Total costs and expenses

     501,388        549,223        1,518,120        1,664,209   
                                

Earnings from operations

     42,676        14,428        121,136        91,448   

Other expenses (income):

        

Interest expense

     23,172        23,948        66,201        75,296   

Interest income

     (87     (755     (491     (2,123

Other (income) expense, net

     (1,791     120        (13,252     (2,047
                                

Total other expenses (income)

     21,294        23,313        52,458        71,126   
                                

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     21,382        (8,885     68,678        20,322   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     7,582        (3,682     25,902        7,970   
                                

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 13,800      $ (5,203   $ 42,776      $ 12,352   
                                

Net earnings (loss) per common share, basic

   $ 0.29      $ (0.11   $ 0.89      $ 0.26   
                                

Net earnings (loss) per common share, diluted

   $ 0.28      $ (0.11   $ 0.87      $ 0.26   
                                

Shares used in computing net earnings per share, basic

     48,007,932        47,874,976        47,992,134        47,869,460   
                                

Shares used in computing net earnings per share, diluted

     49,586,299        47,874,976        49,343,110        47,995,188   
                                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,  
     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 42,776      $ 12,352   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization of intangibles

     52,025        52,155   

Amortization of bond discount

     2,467        5,915   

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

     4,644        6,277   

Gain on debt extinguishment, net of fees

     (9,388     -       

Loss on termination of cash flow hedges, net

     4,570        -       

(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

     (184     386   

Gain on equity investments

     (3,263     (923

Stock-based compensation charge

     5,572        5,363   

Deferred income taxes

     998        (13,261

Changes in assets and liabilities which increase (decrease) cash flow:

    

Accounts receivable

     59,059        87,186   

Inventories

     13,849        (4,126

Prepaid expenses and other

     5,427        (2,252

Other liabilities

     2,506        (2,218

Other assets

     2,579        4,040   

Accounts payable

     (37,578     (65,731

Accrued expenses, compensation and interest

     3,455        (28,313

Income taxes

     (7,925     (246

Progress billings

     (4,233     8,134   
                

Total adjustments

     94,580        52,386   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     137,356        64,738   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (13,505     (19,395

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     96        28,876   

Net proceeds from sale of French subsidiary

     -            3,605   
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (13,409     13,086   
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Borrowings of long-term debt

     20,000        160,000   

Payments of long-term debt

     (159,817     (218,243

Financing costs

     (937     -       

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     537        30   
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (140,217     (58,213
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     579        2,710   

Net (decrease) increase in cash

     (15,691     22,321   

Cash at beginning of period

     126,556        125,239   
                

Cash at end of period

   $ 110,865      $ 147,560   
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 66,397      $ 82,074   

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ 31,390      $ 28,661   

Non-cash financing activities:

    

Stock issued under stock-based compensation plan

   $ 20      $ 1,351   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Valassis Communications, Inc. (”Valassis,” the “Company,” “we” or “our”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Form 10-K”).

Certain amounts included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for 2008 have been restated due to the required retrospective application of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470-20 (formerly Staff Position (FSP) No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)”) that we adopted as of January 1, 2009. The adoption of ASC 470-20 had no effect on the current period. There is no impact to previously reported net earnings and earnings per share, or EPS, for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Previously reported net earnings and EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 have been reduced by $2.2 million and $0.04, respectively, as a result of recognizing incremental non-cash interest expense of $3.3 million during that period.

 

2. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We recognized $2.8 million and $2.0 million of stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, stock-based compensation expense was $5.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively. Compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Compensation expense related to stock options is calculated using a Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of stock option grants and the straight-line attribution method is used for recognizing stock-based compensation expense. Total compensation expense related to non-vested options not yet recognized at September 30, 2009 was approximately $9.2 million, which we expect to recognize as compensation expense over the next five years.

 

3. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE

We are exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. We manage these risks through a variety of strategies which include the use of derivatives. Certain derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges and qualify for hedge accounting treatment, while others do not qualify or have not been designated as hedges and are marked to market through earnings. The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated financial statements were as follows:

 

     Notional Amounts    Fair Value    

Balance Sheet Location

(in millions of U.S. Dollars)

   Sept. 30,
2009
   Dec. 31,
2008
   Sept. 30,
2009
    Dec. 31,
2008
   

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:

            

Interest Rate Swap Contracts (1)

   $ -        $ 480.0    $ -          $ (34.5   Other non-current liabilities

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     0.6      10.7      -            (1.5   Accrued other expenses
                                
     0.6      490.7      -            (36.0  

Derivatives not receiving hedge accounting treatment:

            

Interest Rate Swap Contracts (1)

     447.2      -          (24.1     -          Other non-current liabilities

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     8.3      -          (0.1     -          Accrued other expenses
                                
     455.5      -          (24.2     -         
                                

Total derivatives

   $ 456.1    $ 490.7    $ (24.2   $ (36.0  
                                

 

(1) As of April 1, 2009, cash flow hedge accounting treatment was discontinued.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

Currencies to which we have exposure are the Mexican peso, Canadian dollar, British pound, Polish zloty and Euro. Currency restrictions are not expected to have a significant effect on our cash flows, liquidity, or capital resources. We purchase the Mexican peso under three to twelve-month forward foreign exchange contracts to stabilize the cost of production in Mexico. Our Mexican peso forward exchange contracts initially met the definition of cash flow hedges and, accordingly, the effective portion of the fair value change was recorded as a component of other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion was reflected in the statement of income. Actual exchange losses or gains are recorded against production expense when the contracts are executed. As of September 30, 2009, we had a commitment to purchase $8.8 million in Mexican pesos over the next twelve months. Peso forward foreign exchange contracts that are ineffective under cash flow hedge accounting resulted in immaterial fair value losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk

During the second quarter of 2007, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional principal amount of $480.0 million. These interest rate swaps effectively fix the interest rate at 6.795% for $480.0 million of our variable rate debt under our senior secured credit facility. We initially designated the swaps as hedging instruments to offset the changes in cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates on this variable rate debt through December 31, 2010. Periodic measurement of hedge effectiveness was performed quarterly through March 31 2009. Any changes in the fair value of derivatives determined to be effective were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, while any changes in the fair value of derivatives determined to be ineffective were recorded in earnings and reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of income as part of interest expense.

On April 1, 2009, we elected to change the interest rate on our variable rate debt under our senior secured credit facility from three-month LIBOR to one-month LIBOR. In conjunction with this, we discontinued cash flow hedge accounting treatment for the interest rate swap agreements. The deferred losses on the interest rate swaps previously charged to accumulated other comprehensive loss will be amortized to interest expense and any subsequent changes in the fair value of the swaps will be recognized in earnings as a component of interest expense until the swaps expire on December 31, 2010. The discontinuation of hedge accounting may increase the volatility in our reported earnings during the remaining terms of the interest rate swaps.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

In February 2009, we reduced the notional principal amount of the interest rate swaps by $32.8 million and paid termination fees of approximately $2.6 million. The termination fees, or deferred losses, related to the terminated portion of the swaps will be amortized to interest expense over the original life of the interest rate swaps, through December 31, 2010.

Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the fair values for those assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2009:

 

     Fair Value Measurements (in millions of U.S. dollars)

Description

   Asset/
(Liability)

Total
    Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   $ (0.1   $  -        $ (0.1   $  -    

Other Assets - Warrants

     0.5        -          0.5        -    

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

     (24.1     -          (24.1     -    
                             
   $ (23.7   $ -        $ (23.7   $ -    
                             

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

The fair value of our foreign exchange contracts is based on observable foreign exchange forward contract rates. The fair value of warrants is determined based on the underlying quoted stock price and associated implied volatility. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is determined based on third-party valuation models.

 

4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

Goodwill as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is comprised of:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   Sept. 30,
2009
   Dec. 31,
2008
    

Goodwill:

        

Shared Mail

   $ 534,184    $ 534,184   

Neighborhood Targeted

     5,325      5,325   

Free-standing Inserts

     18,257      18,257   

International, Digital Media & Services

     82,325      83,173   
                

Total goodwill

   $ 640,091    $ 640,939   
                

The components of intangible assets are as follows:

 

     Sept. 30, 2009    Dec. 31, 2008

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   Gross
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Amount
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Useful Life
(in years)
   Gross
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Amount
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Useful Life
(in years)

Amortizing intangible assets

                     

Mailing lists, non compete agreements and other

   $ 40,455    $ (5,342   $ 35,113    17.4    $ 40,455    $ (3,825   $ 36,630    18.5

Customer relationships

     140,000      (20,739     119,261    11.3      140,000      (12,788     127,212    12.0

Non-amortizing intangible assets

                     

Valassis name, tradenames, trademarks, and other (1)

     87,641      -            87,641         87,641      -            87,641   
                                                 
   $ 268,096    $ (26,081   $ 242,015       $ 268,096    $ (16,613   $ 251,483   
                                                 

 

(1) Includes the effect of an impairment charge of $39.7 million related to tradenames and trademarks recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

5. CONTINGENCIES

Upon its completion of the acquisition of ADVO, the Company assumed responsibility for ADVO’s pending securities class action lawsuits. In September 2006, three securities class action lawsuits (Robert Kelleher v. ADVO, Inc., et al., Jorge Cornet v. ADVO, Inc., et al., Richard L. Field v. ADVO, Inc., et al) were filed against ADVO and certain of its officers in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut by certain ADVO shareholders seeking to certify a class of all persons who purchased ADVO stock between July 6, 2006 and August 30, 2006. The cases have been consolidated under a single action titled Robert Kelleher et al. v. ADVO, Inc., et al., Civil Case No. 3:06CV01422(AVC) and a consolidated amended complaint was filed on June 8, 2007. The complaint generally alleges ADVO violated federal securities law by making a series of materially false and misleading statements concerning ADVO’s business and financial results in connection with the proposed merger and, as a result, the price of ADVO’s stock was allegedly inflated.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

On August 24, 2007, the defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the complaint, which was denied. On August 29, 2008, plaintiff moved for certification of the case as a class action. This motion was granted on March 27, 2009. On October 28, 2009, the parties entered into an agreement providing for the settlement of the action and filed papers seeking preliminary approval of a settlement agreement in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The settlement is subject to approval by the court, and the settlement amount of $12.5 million will be paid from the proceeds of ADVO’s directors and officers’ insurance policy, with no adverse impact to Valassis’ financial statements.

The application and interpretation of applicable state sales tax laws to certain of our products is uncertain. Accordingly, we may be exposed to additional sales tax liability to the extent various state jurisdictions determine that certain of our products are subject to such jurisdictions’ sales tax. We have recorded a liability of $9.3 million, reflecting our best estimate of our potential sales tax liability.

In addition to the above matters, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is summarized as follows:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   Sept 30,
2009
   Dec. 31,
2008
    

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

   $ -        $ -       

6  5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2009, net of discount

     -          51,784   

Senior Convertible Notes due 2033, net of discount

     58      56   

8  1/4% Senior Notes due 2015

     540,000      540,000   

Senior Secured Term Loan B

     385,718      458,654   

Senior Secured Delayed Draw Term Loan

     126,650      152,073   
                
     1,052,426      1,202,567   

Less current portion

     6,197      90,855   
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 1,046,229    $ 1,111,712   
                

On January 22, 2009, we entered into the First Amendment to our senior secured credit facility, or the Amendment. As a result of the Amendment, we are permitted to repurchase from tendering lenders term loans outstanding under the senior secured credit facility at prices below par acceptable to such lenders through one or more modified Dutch auctions. The Amendment provides that we may use up to an aggregate of $125.0 million to effect modified Dutch auctions at any time or times during 2009. In connection with the Amendment, we agreed to voluntarily permanently reduce the aggregate revolving credit commitments under the senior secured credit facility from $120.0 million to $100.0 million in exchange for the ability to keep $20.0 million of revolving credit loans outstanding during any modified Dutch auction. Under the Amendment, we are permitted to exclude from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” swap termination and cancellation costs incurred in connection with any purchase, repurchase, payment or prepayment of any loans under the senior secured credit facility, including pursuant to a modified Dutch auction. The Amendment also makes certain technical and conforming changes to the terms of the senior secured credit facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we repurchased an aggregate principal amount of approximately $93.7 million of our outstanding term loans under our senior secured credit facility at prices below par, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $9.4 million, recorded as other income, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of income. This pre-tax gain represents the difference between the face amounts (par value) of the term loans repurchased and the actual repurchase price of the term loans, including fees. Taxes on this gain will be deferred for five years and then are payable at 20% for each of the next five years.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

On January 15, 2009, we satisfied and discharged the indenture governing our 6  5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2009, or the 2009 Secured Notes, in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Upon satisfaction and discharge, the indenture ceased to be of further effect (except for certain rights of the Trustee).

The estimated fair market value of our debt was $74.0 million and $705.3 million below carrying value as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The fair market value was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on discount rates equivalent to the comparable U.S. Treasury securities plus a spread for credit risk and other factors.

 

7. SEGMENT REPORTING

Valassis’ segments meeting the quantitative thresholds to be considered reportable are Shared Mail, Neighborhood Targeted and Free-standing Inserts (FSI). All other lines of business fall below a materiality threshold and are, therefore, combined together in an “other” segment named International, Digital Media & Services. These business lines include NCH Marketing Services, Inc., direct mail, software analytics, security services, interactive and in-store. Our reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are subject to regular review by our chief operating decision-makers. They are managed separately because each business requires different executional strategies and caters to different client marketing needs.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the 2008 Form 10-K. We evaluate performance based on earnings from operations (segment profit). Assets are not allocated in all cases to reportable segments and are not used to assess the performance of a segment.

 

     Three Months Ended Sept. 30,

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

   Shared Mail    Neighborhood
Targeted
   FSI    International,
Digital Media &
Services
    Total

2009

             

Revenues from external customers

   $ 319.5    $ 92.0    $ 92.6    $ 40.0      $ 544.1

Intersegment revenues

   $ 5.3    $ 9.4    $ 5.4    $ 0.6      $ 20.7

Depreciation/amortization

   $ 12.2    $ 1.1    $ 2.9    $ 0.7      $ 16.9

Segment profit

   $ 29.6    $ 3.9    $ 2.3    $ 6.9      $ 42.7

2008

             

Revenues from external customers

   $ 327.0    $ 107.0    $ 91.4    $ 38.3      $ 563.7

Intersegment revenues

   $ 2.6    $ 6.3    $ 9.3    $ 0.1      $ 18.3

Depreciation/amortization

   $ 12.6    $ 0.6    $ 3.8    $ 0.4      $ 17.4

Segment profit (loss)

   $ 13.2    $ 5.0    $ 0.2    $ (4.0   $ 14.4

 

     Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

   Shared Mail    Neighborhood
Targeted
   FSI     International,
Digital Media &
Services
    Total
2009             

Revenues from external customers

   $ 944.0    $ 303.6    $ 278.3      $ 113.4      $ 1,639.3

Intersegment revenues

   $ 13.6    $ 21.9    $ 24.4      $ 1.5      $ 61.4

Depreciation/amortization

   $ 38.1    $ 3.1    $ 9.0      $ 1.8      $ 52.0

Segment profit

   $ 71.8    $ 25.0    $ 7.1      $ 17.2      $ 121.1
2008             

Revenues from external customers

   $ 1,033.7    $ 315.5    $ 278.7      $ 127.8      $ 1,755.7

Intersegment revenues

   $ 9.6    $ 16.5    $ 29.3      $ 0.1      $ 55.5

Depreciation/amortization

   $ 39.3    $ 1.7    $ 9.4      $ 1.8      $ 52.2

Segment profit (loss)

   $ 67.0    $ 27.8    $ (0.2   $ (3.2   $ 91.4

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Reconciliations to consolidated financial statement totals are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended Sept. 30,     Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,  

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Segment profit

   $ 42.7      $ 14.4      $ 121.1      $ 91.4   

Unallocated amounts:

        

Interest expense

     (23.2     (23.9     (66.2     (75.3

Interest income

     0.1        0.7        0.5        2.1   

Other income (expense), net

     1.8        (0.1     13.3        2.1   
                                

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

   $ 21.4      $ (8.9   $ 68.7      $ 20.3   
                                

Domestic and foreign revenues were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended Sept. 30,    Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

   2009    2008    2009    2008

United States

   $ 530.8    $ 549.0    $ 1,603.5    $ 1,699.3

Foreign

     13.3      14.7      35.8      56.4
                           

Total

   $ 544.1    $ 563.7    $ 1,639.3    $ 1,755.7
                           

Domestic and foreign long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment, net) were as follows:

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

   Sept. 30,
2009
   Dec. 31,
2008

United States

   $ 195.3    $ 223.8

Foreign

     9.6      10.1
             

Total

   $ 204.9    $ 233.9
             

 

8. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and total comprehensive income (loss), both net of tax, are shown below:

 

     Three Months Ended Sept. 30,     Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,  

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   2009     2008     2009    2008  

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 13,800      $ (5,203   $ 42,776    $ 12,352   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

         

Unrealized changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

     (36     (523     3,570      (54

Amortization of realized losses on cash flow hedges

     3,017        -            5,124      -       

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     475        1,265        534      1,548   
                               

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 17,256      $ (4,461   $ 52,004    $ 13,846   
                               

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

9. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Earnings (loss) per common share (EPS) data were computed as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,
    Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 13,800      $ (5,203   $ 42,776      $ 12,352   
                                

Basic EPS:

        

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     48,008        47,875        47,992        47,869   
                                

Earnings (loss) per common share - basic

   $ 0.29      $ (0.11   $ 0.89      $ 0.26   
                                

Diluted EPS:

        

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     48,008        47,875        47,992        47,869   

Weighted average shares issued on exercise of dilutive options and restricted shares

     3,381        -            2,584        314   

Shares purchased with assumed proceeds of options and unearned restricted shares

     (1,814     -            (1,244     (215

Shares contingently issuable

     11        -            11        27   
                                

Shares applicable to diluted earnings

     49,586        47,875        49,343        47,995   
                                

Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted

   $ 0.28      $ (0.11   $ 0.87      $ 0.26   
                                

Unexercised employee stock options to purchase 7.4 million shares and 8.3 million shares of Valassis’ common stock were not included in the computations of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock during the applicable periods.

 

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

RECENTLY ADOPTED

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” also known as FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification” or “ASC”) 105. ASC 105 establishes the Codification as the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB for non-governmental agencies (other than guidance issued by the SEC). All existing accounting standards were superseded and accounting literature not included in the Codification is considered non-authoritative. The Codification did not change U.S. GAAP; instead, it changed the referencing of authoritative accounting literature. Adoption of ASC 105 required us to adjust references to authoritative accounting literature in our financial statements, but did not affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The Codification became effective for financial statements issued for interim or annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. We have included references to the new Codification in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the previous authoritative references are noted parenthetically.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the requirements of ASC 470-20 (formerly FSP No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)”), which specifies that issuers of convertible debt should separately account for the liability and equity components of such instruments in a manner that will reflect the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. The adoption required retrospective application for all periods presented and is effective for our Senior Secured Convertible Notes due 2033, or the 2033 Secured Notes, substantially all of which we repurchased pursuant to a cash tender offer in May 2008. The debt component of the 2033 Secured Notes was recognized retrospectively at the present value of its cash flows discounted using a 6.48% discount rate, our borrowing rate at the date of issuance of notes for a similar debt instrument without the conversion features. The equity component, recorded as additional paid-in capital, was $28.8 million, which represents the difference between the proceeds from the issuance of the 2033 Secured Notes and the fair value of the liability, net of deferred taxes of $15.5 million as of the date of the issuance of the 2033 Secured Notes. This retrospective adjustment is reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheets presented as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

The adoption also requires an accretion of the resultant debt discount over the expected life of the 2033 Secured Notes, which was May 2003 to May 2008. The condensed consolidated statements of income were retrospectively modified compared to previously reported amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 by reducing net earnings and EPS by $2.2 million and $0.04, respectively, as a result of recognizing incremental non-cash interest of $3.3 million during that period. There is no impact to previously reported amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and there is no impact to the current year condensed consolidated statement of income as the 2033 Secured Notes were substantially repurchased in May 2008.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted changes issued in ASC 805 (formerly SFAS No. 141 (Revised), “Business Combinations”) which requires an acquiring entity to recognize all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition date fair value with limited exceptions. ASC 805 also includes changes to the accounting treatment and disclosure for certain specific items in a business combination. The adoption of ASC 805 will impact our accounting for business combinations that occur after January 1, 2009.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted accounting guidance within ASC 810-10 (formerly SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment to ARB No. 51”). Under the provisions of ASC 810-10, a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary or minority interest, must be classified as equity and the amount of consolidated net income specifically attributable to the minority interest must be clearly identified in the statement of consolidated earnings. ASC 810-10 also requires consistency in the manner of reporting changes in the parent’s ownership interest and requires fair value measurement of any non-controlling interest in a deconsolidation. The adoption of ASC 810-10 did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the disclosure requirements within ASC 815-10 (formerly SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”) which expands the disclosure requirements of derivative instruments and hedging activities to provide a better understanding of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and their effect on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The adoption of these disclosure requirements of ASC 815-10 did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. For additional information regarding these disclosures, see Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the applicable sections of ASC 350-30 (formerly FSP No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”) which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. ASC 350-30 applies prospectively to all intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009, whether acquired in a business combination or otherwise. The adoption of the applicable sections of ASC 350-30 will impact our accounting for new intangible assets acquired in business combinations that occur after January 1, 2009.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the applicable sections of ASC 820-10 (formerly FSP No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”) with regards to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The adoption of the applicable sections of ASC 820-10 did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the applicable sections of ASC 323-10 (formerly Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations”) which clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. The adoption of the applicable sections of ASC 323-10 did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the applicable sections of ASC 260-10 (formerly FSP EITF Issue No. 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities) which states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two class method. The adoption of the applicable sections of ASC 260-10 did not have a material impact on our reported basic and diluted earnings per share amounts.

Effective April 1, 2009, we adopted the requirements of ASC 855-10 (formerly SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”). ASC 855-10 sets forth general standards of accounting and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. We have evaluated subsequent events in accordance with this guidance through the issuance of our condensed consolidated financial statements on November 6, 2009.

Effective July 1, 2009 we adopted ASC 825-10 (formerly FASB Staff Position 107-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”) which requires the disclosure of fair value of financial instruments for interim periods as well as in annual financial statements. ASC 825-10 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of these disclosure requirements did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Note 6 for information related to the fair value disclosure of our debt.

ISSUED

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2009-13 which addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified beginning in fiscal years on or after June 15, 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the adoption of ASU 2009-13 on our financial statements.

 

11. OTHER INFORMATION

On July 23, 2009, we were awarded $300.0 million for compensatory damages in our unfair competition and tortious interference lawsuit against News America Marketing, a subsidiary of News Corporation, in Michigan’s Wayne County Circuit Court. The award is subject to the risks of post-trial motions, appeal and collection. Pre- and post-judgment interest are accruing and the $300.0 million, plus applicable interest, is not reflected in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and will not be reflected in future financial statements until all uncertainties have been resolved.

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

12. GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following information is presented in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The operating and investing activities of the separate legal entities included in the consolidated financial statements are fully interdependent and integrated. Revenues and operating expenses of the separate legal entities include intercompany charges for management and other services. The 2015 Notes issued by Valassis are guaranteed by substantially all of Valassis’ existing and future domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis. Each of the subsidiary guarantors is 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by Valassis and has guaranteed the 2015 Notes on a joint and several, full and unconditional basis. Non-wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, partnerships and foreign subsidiaries are not guarantors of these obligations. The subsidiary guarantors also guarantee Valassis’ senior secured credit facility.

The following tables present the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and the related condensed consolidating statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

September 30, 2009

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total

Assets

          

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 91,646      $ 2,990      $ 16,229      $ -          $ 110,865

Accounts receivable, net

     126,247        257,603        32,196        -            416,046

Inventories

     27,346        6,978        -            -            34,324

Prepaid expenses and other

     67,043        (8,457     1,266        (34,032     25,820

Refundable income taxes

     53,331        (29,370     (527     -            23,434

Deferred income taxes

     1,650        271        (190     -            1,731
                                      

Total current assets

     367,263        230,015        48,974        (34,032     612,220
                                      

Property, plant and equipment, net

     30,060        171,987        2,881        -            204,928

Intangible assets, net

     35,193        839,925        6,988        -            882,106

Investments

     294,621        16,609        -            (308,749     2,481

Intercompany note and loan receivable

     591,115        (581,396     (9,719     -            -    

Other assets

     13,468        5,986        4        -            19,458
                                      

Total assets

   $ 1,331,720      $ 683,126      $ 49,128      $ (342,781   $ 1,721,193
                                      
     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

          

Current liabilities:

          

Current portion long term debt

   $ 6,197      $ -          $ -          $ -          $ 6,197

Accounts payable

     124,268        189,746        19,801        (34,034     299,781

Accrued expenses

     38,876        58,644        8,790        -            106,310

Progress billings

     23,906        8,624        7,776        -            40,306
                                      

Total current liabilities

     193,247        257,014        36,367        (34,034     452,594
                                      

Long-term debt

     1,046,229        -            -            -            1,046,229

Other non-current liabilities

     38,586        19,413        1,193        -            59,192

Deferred income taxes

     (9,881     113,515        (3,995     -            99,639

Stockholders’ equity

     63,539        293,184        15,563        (308,747     63,539
                                      

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,331,720      $ 683,126      $ 49,128      $ (342,781   $ 1,721,193
                                      

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2008

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total

Assets

          

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 102,441      $ 5,937      $ 18,178      $ -          $ 126,556

Accounts receivable, net

     222,793        234,300        22,656        -            479,749

Inventories

     39,451        8,722        -            -            48,173

Prepaid expenses and other

     (2,781     19,259        3,605        11,152        31,235

Refundable income taxes

     39,454        (23,647     (298     -            15,509

Deferred income taxes

     1,853        97        (71     -            1,879
                                      

Total current assets

     403,211        244,668        44,070        11,152        703,101
                                      

Property, plant and equipment, net

     33,247        197,927        2,763        -            233,937

Intangible assets, net

     35,210        850,233        6,979        -            892,422

Investments

     259,308        14,615        -            (271,368     2,555

Intercompany loan and note receivable

     753,963        (744,244     (9,719     -            -    

Other assets

     16,635        4,527        4        -            21,166
                                      

Total assets

   $ 1,501,574      $ 567,726      $ 44,097      $ (260,216   $ 1,853,181
                                      
     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

          

Current liabilities:

          

Current portion, long-term debt

   $ 90,855      $ -          $ -          $ -          $ 90,855

Accounts payable

     192,470        117,507        16,230        11,152        337,359

Accrued expenses

     39,210        54,526        9,119        -            102,855

Progress billings

     29,629        7,246        7,664        -            44,539
                                      

Total current liabilities

     352,164        179,279        33,013        11,152        575,608
                                      

Long-term debt

     1,111,712        -            -            -            1,111,712

Other non-current liabilities

     45,392        17,962        2,675        -            66,029

Deferred income taxes

     (13,108     112,691        (5,165     -            94,418

Stockholders’ equity

     5,414        257,794        13,574        (271,368     5,414
                                      

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,501,574      $ 567,726      $ 44,097      $ (260,216   $ 1,853,181
                                      

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total
 

Revenues

   $ 180,278      $ 370,520      $ 15,259    $ (21,993   $ 544,064   

Cost and expenses:

           

Cost of products sold

     141,504        278,365        9,696      (21,993     407,572   

Selling, general and administrative

     35,559        51,583        3,518      -            90,660   

Amortization expense

     6        3,150        -          -            3,156   
                                       

Total costs and expenses

     177,069        333,098        13,214      (21,993     501,388   
                                       

Earnings from operations

     3,209        37,422        2,045      -            42,676   

Other expenses (income):

           

Interest expense

     23,172        -            -          -            23,172   

Interest income

     (94     (4     11      -            (87

Intercompany interest

     (17,092     17,092        -          -            -       

Other income, net

     (1,123     (935     267      -            (1,791
                                       

Total other expenses (income)

     4,863        16,153        278      -            21,294   
                                       

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     (1,654     21,269        1,767      -            21,382   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (61     7,295        348      -            7,582   

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     15,393        1,419        -          (16,812     -       
                                       

Net earnings

   $ 13,800      $ 15,393      $ 1,419    $ (16,812   $ 13,800   
                                       

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total
 

Revenues

   $ 191,969      $ 375,221      $ 19,601      $ (23,140   $ 563,651   

Cost and expenses:

          

Cost of products sold

     160,623        299,476        16,086        (23,140     453,045   

Selling, general and administrative

     32,248        56,428        5,196        -            93,872   

Amortization expense

     55        2,251        -            -            2,306   
                                        

Total costs and expenses

     192,926        358,155        21,282        (23,140     549,223   
                                        

Earnings (loss) from operations

     (957     17,066        (1,681     -            14,428   

Other expenses (income):

          

Interest expense

     23,946        -            2        -            23,948   

Interest income

     (583     17        (189     -            (755

Intercompany interest

     (23,182     23,182        -            -            -       

Other income, net

     198        (594     516        -            120   
                                        

Total other expenses (income)

     379        22,605        329        -            23,313   
                                        

(Loss) earnings before income taxes

     (1,336     (5,539     (2,010     -            (8,885

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1,280     (2,501     99        -            (3,682

Equity in net earnings (loss) of subsidiary

     (5,147     (2,109     -            7,256        -       
                                        

Net (loss) earnings

   $ (5,203   $ (5,147   $ (2,109   $ 7,256      $ (5,203
                                        

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total
 

Revenues

   $ 571,270      $ 1,092,088      $ 49,418      $ (73,520   $ 1,639,256   

Cost and expenses:

          

Cost of products sold

     452,645        831,495        34,485        (73,520     1,245,105   

Selling, general and administrative

     96,830        156,874        9,843        -            263,547   

Amortization expense

     17        9,451        -            -            9,468   
                                        

Total costs and expenses

     549,492        997,820        44,328        (73,520     1,518,120   
                                        

Earnings from operations

     21,778        94,268        5,090        -            121,136   

Other expenses (income):

          

Interest expense

     66,201        -            -            -            66,201   

Interest income

     (430     (11     (50     -            (491

Intercompany interest

     (52,516     52,516        -            -            -       

Other income, net

     (10,981     (2,417     146        -            (13,252
                                        

Total other expenses (income)

     2,274        50,088        96        -            52,458   
                                        

Earnings before income taxes

     19,504        44,180        4,994        -            68,678   

Income tax expense

     10,479        14,474        949        -            25,902   

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     33,751        4,045        -            (37,796     -       
                                        

Net earnings

   $ 42,776      $ 33,751      $ 4,045      $ (37,796   $ 42,776   
                                        

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated
Total
 

Revenues

   $ 573,551      $ 1,181,156      $ 71,334      $ (70,384   $ 1,755,657   

Cost and expenses:

          

Cost of products sold

     465,798        917,629        56,329        (70,384     1,369,372   

Selling, general and administrative

     96,253        175,192        16,475        -            287,920   

Amortization expense

     166        6,751        -            -            6,917   
                                        

Total costs and expenses

     562,217        1,099,572        72,804        (70,384     1,664,209   
                                        

Earnings (loss) from operations

     11,334        81,584        (1,470     -            91,448   

Other expenses (income):

          

Interest expense

     75,290        -            6        -            75,296   

Interest income

     (1,254     (428     (441     -            (2,123

Intercompany interest

     (59,666     59,666        -            -            -       

Other income, net

     (448     (2,112     513        -            (2,047
                                        

Total other expenses (income)

     13,922        57,126        78        -            71,126   
                                        

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     (2,588     24,458        (1,548     -            20,322   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (749     8,125        594        -            7,970   

Equity in net earnings (loss) of subsidiary

     14,191        (2,142     -            (12,049     -       
                                        

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 12,352      $ 14,191      $ (2,142   $ (12,049   $ 12,352   
                                        

 

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
   Consolidated
Total
 

Operating activities

           

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 38,901      $ 100,570      $ (2,115   $ -        $ 137,356   

Investing Activities

           

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (4,329     (8,763     (413     -          (13,505

Other

     -            96        -            -          96   
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,329     (8,667     (413   $ -          (13,409
                                       

Financing Activities

           

Cash provided by (used in) intercompany activity

     94,850        (94,850     -            -          -       

Borrowings of long-term debt

     20,000        -            -            -          20,000   

Financing costs

     (937     -            -            -          (937

Payment of long-term debt

     (159,817     -            -            -          (159,817

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     537               537   
                                       

Net cash used in financing activities

     (45,367     (94,850     -            -          (140,217
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     -            -            579        -          579   

Net decrease in cash

     (10,795     (2,947     (1,949     -          (15,691

Cash at beginning of period

     102,441        5,937        18,178        -          126,556   
                                       

Cash at end of period

   $ 91,646      $ 2,990      $ 16,229      $ -        $ 110,865   
                                       

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Parent
Company
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
   Consolidated
Total
 

Operating activities

           

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (13,524   $ 83,251      $ (4,989   $ -        $ 64,738   

Investing Activities

           

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (13,632     (4,177     (1,586     -          (19,395

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

     -            28,876        -               28,876   

Net proceeds from sale of French subsidiary

     -            -            3,605        -          3,605   
                                       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (13,632     24,699        2,019      $ -          13,086   
                                       

Financing Activities

           

Cash provided by (used in) intercompany activity

     193,346        (193,346     -            -          -       

Borrowings of long-term debt

     160,000        -            -            -          160,000   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (218,243     -            -            -          (218,243

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     30        -            -            -          30   
                                       

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     135,133        (193,346     -            -          (58,213
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     -            -            2,710        -          2,710   

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     107,977        (85,396     (260     -          22,321   

Cash at beginning of period

     4,599        95,754        24,886        -          125,239   
                                       

Cash at end of period

   $ 112,576      $ 10,358      $ 24,626      $ -        $ 147,560   
                                       

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements found in this document constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: price competition from our existing competitors; new competitors in any of our businesses; a shift in client preference for different promotional materials, strategies or coupon delivery methods, including, without limitation, as a result of declines in newspaper circulation; an unforeseen increase in paper or postal costs; changes which affect the businesses of our clients and lead to reduced sales promotion spending, including, without limitation, a decrease of marketing budgets which are generally discretionary in nature and easier to reduce in the short-term than other expenses; our substantial indebtedness, and ability to refinance such indebtedness, if necessary, and our ability to incur additional indebtedness, may affect our financial health; the financial condition, including bankruptcies, of our clients, suppliers, senior secured credit facility lenders or other counterparties; our ability to comply with or obtain modifications or waivers of the financial covenants contained in our debt documents; certain covenants in our debt documents could adversely restrict our financial and operating flexibility; ongoing disruptions in the credit markets that make it difficult for companies to secure financing; fluctuations in the amount, timing, pages, weight and kinds of advertising pieces from period to period, due to a change in our clients’ promotional needs, inventories and other factors; our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel may affect our business and results of operations; a rise in interest rates could increase our borrowing costs; we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges against goodwill and intangible assets in the future; court approval of the settlement agreement among the parties to the pending ADVO securities class action lawsuit; our current litigation with News America Incorporated may be costly and divert management’s attention; possible governmental regulation or litigation affecting aspects of our business; the credit and liquidity crisis in the financial markets could continue to affect our results of operations and financial condition; reductions of our credit ratings may have an adverse impact on our business; counterparties to our secured credit facility and interest rate swaps may not be able to fulfill their obligations due to disruptions in the global credit markets; uncertainty in the application and interpretation of applicable state sales tax laws may expose us to additional sales tax liability; and general economic conditions, whether nationally, internationally, or in the market areas in which we conduct our business, including the adverse impact of the ongoing economic downturn on the marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospective clients as well as our vendors, with whom we rely on to provide us with quality materials at the right prices and in a timely manner. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional risks include, but are not limited to, those risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 2008, or the 2008 Form 10-K, and other filings by us with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Overview

We are one of the nation’s leading media and marketing services companies, offering unparalleled reach and scale to more than 15,000 advertisers. Our RedPlum® portfolio of products and services delivers value on a weekly basis to more than 100 million shoppers across a multi-media platform, in the mailbox, in the newspaper, on the doorstep, in store and online. We provide our products and services to the masses or targeted audiences, providing our clients with blended media solutions, including shared mail and newspaper delivery. We offer the only national shared mail distribution network in the industry. We utilize a patent-pending targeting tool that provides our clients with multi-media recommendations with a quick turnaround. We are committed to providing innovative marketing solutions to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of promotions for our clients and to deliver value to consumers how, when and where they want.

Since late 2008, we have faced challenges due to the ongoing economic recession. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in the economic environment, as clients’ advertising spending is discretionary and may be more constricted during such times. As a result of this environment, we adopted a profit maximization plan in the last quarter of 2008 (the “2009 Profit Maximization Plan”). The purpose of our 2009 Profit Maximization Plan was to effectively reduce costs, increase production efficiencies and focus on the greatest growth and profit opportunities for the future. We have successfully executed against this plan in 2009, exceeding our original cost savings expectations. We believe these cost management efforts will improve our cost structure for the future.

 

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Table of Contents

During the third quarter of 2009, we reported revenues of $544.1 million, representing a decrease of 3.5% compared to $563.7 million for the third quarter of 2008. This decrease is due primarily to the negative effect the economic slowdown has had on our clients’ marketing budgets, as well as divested and discontinued businesses which contributed $3.8 million to revenue in the prior year period. Third quarter of 2009 net earnings were $13.8 million, compared to a $5.2 million net loss in the third quarter of 2008. This was due primarily to our improved cost structure as the result of business optimization and cost containment efforts. Third quarter of 2009 diluted earnings per share, or EPS, were $0.28, up from $0.11 loss per share in the third quarter of 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we reported revenues of $1,639.3 million, representing a decrease of 6.6% compared to $1,755.7 million for the prior year period. This decrease was due to the negative impact of the economic slowdown, as well as divested and discontinued businesses which contributed $21.6 million to revenue in the prior year period. Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $42.8 million, representing an increase of 246.3% from $12.4 million in the prior year period (after retrospective application of ASC 470-20 as described in Note 1 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). This was due primarily to our improved cost structure as the result of business optimization and cost containment efforts. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, EPS was $0.87, representing an increase of 234.6% from $0.26 for the prior year period.

Segment Results

Shared Mail

Revenues for the Shared Mail segment were $319.5 million in the third quarter of 2009 decreasing $7.5 million, or 2.3%, from $327.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to volume declines of unprofitable packages, as well as client shifts to lighter weight inserts.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Shared Mail segment reported revenue of $944.0 million, an 8.7% decrease from $1,033.7 million reported in the prior year period reflecting the challenging economic environment of the past year which has been negatively affecting our clients’ advertising budgets. The reduced client advertising spending was apparent as six out of our top 10 advertising categories experienced year-over-year revenue declines, most notably, clients in the mass merchandising category. This decrease in revenues resulted from volume declines of packages and shifts to lower priced and lighter weight inserts as experienced in the third quarter. Also contributing to the year-over-year decrease was lower sell rates from the Red Plum® wrap product.

The volume decline was demonstrated in the package and piece statistics for both the three and nine-month periods. Total Shared Mail pieces were 8.3 billion and 24.5 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, decreasing 2.0% and 3.1%, respectively, from the prior year periods. Shared Mail packages were 0.9 billion and 2.9 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, decreasing 9.1% and 6.5%, respectively, from the prior year periods. Our business optimization efforts and reduction in underperforming packages drove the decrease in Shared Mail packages. Average pieces per package were 8.5 pieces and 8.2 pieces for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, increasing 7.5% and 3.7%, respectively, from the prior year periods.

Shared Mail’s gross margin percentage was 26.4% for the third quarter of 2009 increasing 3.7 percentage points from the third quarter of 2008. The increase in gross margin was due to the distribution savings from fewer packages and from recently formed newspaper alliances which became operational during 2009, as well as, lower print and paper costs. Also contributing to the gross margin improvement was the increase in average pieces per package and resultant efficiencies in unused postage. Unused postage as a percentage of base postage was 19.7% for the third quarter of 2009 decreasing 2.6 percentage points from the prior year quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, gross margin increased 0.8 percentage points to 25.1% from the prior year period. The positive gross margin gains of the third quarter were partially offset by year-to-date lower volumes, the reduction of Red Plum® wrap sell rates and the lighter weight inserts from grocery clients.

Shared Mail segment profit for the third quarter of 2009 was $29.6 million increasing $16.4 million, or 124.2%, from $13.2 million in profit reported for the third quarter of 2008. Effective cost management, including package optimization efforts, newspaper alliances and reductions in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) spending due to cost controls contributed to the Shared Mail segment profit improvement. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Shared Mail segment profit was $71.8 million increasing $4.8 million from $67.0 million during the prior year period.

 

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Neighborhood Targeted

Our Neighborhood Targeted revenues were $92.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 14.0% from $107.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. Revenues from solo preprints increased in excess of 15% as we continued to have success with our cross-selling efforts, but were more than offset by decreases in Run-of-Press (ROP) revenues due to reduced advertising spending by clients in our financial services and telecommunications verticals and a reduction in sampling and polybag advertising. Declines in sampling and polybag advertising are attributable primarily to the economic downturn, as these products are tied to store grand openings and new product introductions, and continue to be our most cyclical products. Segment profit was $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2008, due primarily to the revenue reduction and a shift in product mix.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Neighborhood Targeted revenues decreased 3.8% to $303.6 million from $315.5 million during the prior year period. Significant increases in revenue from the financial services sector in the first quarter of 2009 were offset by declines in the third quarter of 2009. As in the third quarter, although preprint revenue was up significantly, the increase was more than offset by declines in ROP and sampling/polybag advertising revenues. Segment profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $25.0 million compared to $27.8 million in the prior year period. This reduction was due to the revenue decline.

FSI

Third quarter 2009 FSI revenues were $92.6 million, representing an increase of 1.3% from $91.4 million during the third quarter of 2008. The increased revenues were attributable to growth of 3.4% in industry units for the quarter. Revenues for the first nine months of 2009 were $278.3 million, flat compared to $278.7 million in the prior year period. Continued price deterioration offset volume gains. Industry units grew approximately 4.2% during the first nine months of 2009 compared to the prior year period. FSI cost of goods sold decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the respective prior year periods on a cost-per-thousand (CPM) basis, due to lower paper costs and efficiencies gained in media and print costs due to increased volume.

FSI segment profit was $2.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to $0.2 million during the prior year quarter. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, FSI segment profit was $7.1 million compared to a loss of $0.2 million in the prior year period. These increases were due to the effect of higher volume and the positive impact on our cost structure from our cost management efforts.

International, Digital Media & Services

Third quarter 2009 revenues for this segment were $40.0 million, an increase of 4.4% from $38.3 million during the third quarter of 2008. This increase was primarily due to an increase in coupon clearing volume, which more than offset decreases due to divested or discontinued businesses during the second half of 2008, which accounted for $3.8 million of revenues (representing 0.7% of our consolidated revenues) in the prior year quarter, as well as foreign currency fluctuations. This segment experienced segment profit of $6.9 million during the third quarter of 2009 compared to a $4.0 million loss during the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to the discontinuance of the unprofitable businesses described above, as well as a significant increase in U.S. coupon clearing volume.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, this segment recorded revenues of $113.4 million, a decrease of 11.3% from $127.8 million in the prior year period. This decrease was primarily attributable to the divested and discontinued businesses mentioned above, which accounted for $21.6 million of revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs decreased in the third quarter of 2009 to $90.7 million from $93.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, SG&A costs decreased to $263.5 million from $287.9 million in the prior year period. These decreases were primarily attributable to reductions in headcount and discretionary spending as part of our cost containment efforts and divested and discontinued businesses. These decreases were partially offset by additional incentive-based compensation expense as the result of increased profitability, as well as stock price appreciation, which had the effect of accelerating the vesting of certain executive officers’ performance-based stock options.

 

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Table of Contents

Amortization Expense

We recorded amortization expense of $3.2 million during the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $0.9 million from the third quarter of 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, amortization expense was $9.5 million compared to $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. These increases were due to a decrease in the estimated remaining life of an intangible asset.

Other Expenses (Income)

Interest expense was $23.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $23.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was due to lower debt balances as a result of voluntary term loan repurchases under our senior secured credit facility discussed below, as well as the repayment of $51.8 million of our 6  5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2009, or the 2009 Secured Notes, in January 2009, offset by a net increase of $2.8 million relating to changes in the fair value of our interest rate swap contracts and related amortization of the deferred losses on these contracts. During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we repurchased, at a weighted average discount to par of 2.6%, an aggregate principal amount of $39.3 million of outstanding term loans under our senior secured credit facility, which we refer to as “Term Loan Repurchases,” pursuant to modified Dutch auctions for an aggregate purchase price of $38.7 million, including fees. As a result of these repurchases, a pre-tax gain of $0.6 million, which represents the difference between the face amounts (par value) of the term loans repurchased and the actual repurchase prices of the term loans, including fees, was recognized in the quarter and included in other income, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of income.

Interest expense was $66.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $75.3 million (after retrospective application of ASC 470-20 as discussed in Note 1 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This decrease was due to lower debt levels as described above. Term loan repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 resulted in a pre-tax gain of $9.4 million which is included in other income for the period.

Net Earnings

Net earnings were $13.8 million for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $19.0 million from a net loss of $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase in earnings was due to our improved cost structure as the result of our business optimization and cost containment efforts, reduced interest expense due to lower debt levels and a gain of $0.4 million, net of tax, from the Term Loan Repurchases. Diluted earnings per share were $0.28 in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a loss per share of $0.11 in the third quarter of 2008.

Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $42.8 million, representing an increase of 246.3% from $12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase was the result of our improved cost structure, reduced interest expense due to lower debt levels and a gain of $5.8 million, net of tax, from the Term Loan Repurchases. Diluted earnings per share were $0.87 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $0.26 in the prior year period.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Sources of Capital

The following table presents our available sources of liquidity as of September 30, 2009:

 

Source of Liquidity (in millions)

   Facility
Amount
    Amount
Outstanding
   Available

Cash and cash equivalents

        $ 110.9

Debt facilities:

       

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 89.6 (1)    -          89.6
                   

Total Available

        $ 200.5
                   

 

(1) On January 22, 2009, we amended our credit agreement and voluntarily reduced the aggregate revolving credit commitments thereunder from $120.0 million to $100.0 million. The amount above is net of $10.4 million in outstanding letters of credit.

 

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Sources and Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $110.9 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $126.6 million at December 31, 2008. This was the result of cash flows from operating activities of $137.4 million, offset by cash used in investing and financing activities of $13.4 million and $140.2 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Cash flows from operating activities were $137.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $64.7 million during the year-ago period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net earnings and non-cash items such as the pre-tax gain on debt extinguishment of $9.4 million, deferred income taxes and depreciation and amortization, increased by $32.0 million from the year-ago period in 2008. In addition to this increase, $40.7 million of net changes in assets and liabilities increased cash from operations and are further described below:

 

   

a decrease in inventory balances due to lower paper costs and efforts to reduce inventory on hand;

 

   

cash outflows from accrued expenses, compensation and interest were lower in 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of lower interest payments as outstanding debt balances have decreased and the timing of compensation bonus payments changed from semi-annual payments in 2008 to annual payments in 2009; and

 

   

the decrease in cash inflows from accounts receivable in 2009 compared to 2008 were offset by the decrease in cash outflows related to accounts payable for the same period. These reductions are a result of reduced ROP business and related media costs.

Net cash used in investing activities was $13.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to capital acquisitions of property, plant and equipment. Cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 included $28.9 million from the sale and leaseback of our Windsor, Connecticut facilities and $3.6 million from the sale of our French subsidiary, offset by $19.4 million in capital acquisitions of property, plant and equipment.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $140.2 million. This included $51.8 million related to the satisfaction of our 2009 Secured Notes and $88.4 million in Term Loan Repurchases and related fees. Net cash used in financing activities in the year-ago period was a result of principal payments on the term loan B portion of our senior secured credit facility, as well as the draw down of the delayed draw portion of our senior secured credit facility from which proceeds of $159.9 million were used to pay holders of our Senior Secured Convertible Notes due 2033, or the 2033 Secured Notes.

Operating cash flows are our primary source of liquidity. We intend to use cash generated by operations to meet interest and principal repayment obligations, for general corporate purposes and to reduce our indebtedness, and we believe we will generate sufficient funds from operations and will have sufficient existing cash balances and lines of credit available to meet currently anticipated liquidity needs, including interest and required payments of indebtedness.

 

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Current and Long-term Debt

As of September 30, 2009, we had outstanding $1.1 billion in aggregate indebtedness, which consisted of $540.0 million of our unsecured 8  1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (2015 Notes), $385.7 million and $126.7 million under the term loan B and delayed draw term loan portions of our senior secured credit facility, respectively, and $0.1 million of our 2033 Secured Notes. As of September 30, 2009, we had total outstanding letters of credit of approximately $10.4 million.

Our Senior Secured Credit Facility

General

On March 2, 2007, in connection with our acquisition of ADVO, Inc., we entered into a senior secured credit facility with Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc., as Administrative Agent, and a syndicate of lenders jointly arranged by Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC.

Our senior secured credit facility originally consisted of the following:

 

 

a five-year revolving line of credit in an aggregate principal amount of $120.0 million, including $35.0 million available in euros, British Pounds Sterling, Mexican Pesos or Canadian Dollars, $40.0 million available for letters of credit and a $20.0 million swingline loan subfacility (the “revolving line of credit”);

 

 

a seven-year term loan B in an aggregate principal amount equal to $590.0 million, with principal repayable in quarterly installments at a rate of 1.0% per year during the first six years of the term loan B, with the remaining balance thereafter to be paid on the seventh anniversary of the closing date of the term loan B (the “term loan B”);

 

 

a seven-year amortizing delayed draw term loan in an aggregate principal amount equal to $160.0 million, with principal repayable in quarterly installments at a rate of 1.0% per year during the first six years of the delayed draw term loan, with the remaining balance thereafter to be repaid in full on the maturity date of the term loan B (the “delayed draw term loan”); and

 

 

an incremental facility pursuant to which, prior to the maturity of the senior secured credit facility, we may incur additional indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility in an additional amount up to $150.0 million under either the revolving line of credit or the term loan B or a combination thereof (the “incremental facility”). The obligations under the incremental facility will constitute secured obligations under our senior secured credit facility.

On January 22, 2009, we entered into the First Amendment to our senior secured credit facility, or the Amendment. As a result of the Amendment, we are permitted to repurchase from tendering lenders term loans outstanding under the senior secured credit facility at prices below par acceptable to such lenders through one or more modified Dutch auctions. The Amendment provides that we may use up to an aggregate of $125.0 million to effect modified Dutch auctions at any time or times during 2009. In connection with the Amendment, we agreed to voluntarily permanently reduce the aggregate revolving credit commitments under the senior secured credit facility from $120.0 million to $100.0 million in exchange for the ability to keep $20.0 million of revolving credit loans outstanding during any modified Dutch auction. The Amendment also made certain technical and conforming changes to the terms of our senior secured credit facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we repurchased an aggregate principal amount of approximately $93.7 million of our outstanding term loans under our senior secured credit facility at prices below par, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $9.4 million, recorded as other income, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of income. This pre-tax gain represents the difference between the face amounts (par value) of the term loans repurchased and the actual repurchase prices of the term loans, including fees. Taxes on this gain will be deferred for five years and are then payable at 20% per year for each of the next five years.

All borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, including, without limitation, amounts drawn under the revolving line of credit, are subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including absence of a default and accuracy of representations and warranties. As of September 30, 2009, we had $385.7 million and $126.7 million outstanding under the term loan B and delayed draw term loan portions, respectively, and $89.6 million available under the revolving line of credit portion (after giving effect to the reduction in the revolving line of credit availability pursuant to the Amendment and outstanding letters of credit), of our senior secured credit facility.

 

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Interest and Fees

Borrowings under our senior secured credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either the base rate (defined as the higher of the prime rate announced by the commercial bank selected by the administrative agent to the facility or the federal funds effective rate, plus 0.5%), or at a Eurodollar rate (as defined in the credit agreement), in each case, plus an applicable margin. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we elected three-month LIBOR as the applicable rate on borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. For the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009, we elected one-month LIBOR as the applicable rate on borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. As of October 1, 2009, we elected three-month LIBOR as the applicable rate for the fourth quarter of 2009. See “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Sources of Capital – Other Indebtedness” for additional information.

Guarantees and Security

Our senior secured credit facility is guaranteed by substantially all of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries pursuant to a Guarantee, Security and Collateral Agency Agreement, as amended. In addition, our obligations under our senior secured credit facility and the guarantee obligations of the subsidiary guarantors are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of our and our subsidiary guarantors’ present and future assets and by a pledge of all of the equity interests in our subsidiary guarantors and 65% of the capital stock of our existing and future restricted foreign subsidiaries.

Prepayments

Subject to customary notice and minimum amount conditions, we are permitted to make voluntary prepayments without payment of premium or penalty. With certain exceptions, we are required to make mandatory prepayments on the term loans in certain circumstances, including, without limitation, with 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds from any debt offering, asset sale or insurance and/or condemnation recovery (to the extent not otherwise used for reinvestment in our business or a related business) and up to 50% (with the exact percentage to be determined based upon our consolidated secured leverage ratio as defined in our credit agreement) of our excess cash flow (as defined in the credit agreement). Such mandatory prepayments will first be applied ratably to the principal installments of the term loans and second, to the prepayment of any outstanding revolving or swing-line loans, without an automatic reduction of the amount of the revolving line of credit.

Covenants

Our senior secured credit facility also requires us to comply with a maximum senior secured leverage ratio, as defined in our senior secured credit facility (generally, the ratio of our consolidated senior secured indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four quarters), ranging from 4.25:1.00 to 3.50:1.00 (depending on the applicable period), and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, as defined in our senior secured credit facility (generally, the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA for such period to consolidated interest expense for such period), ranging from 1.60:1.00 to 2.00:1.00 (depending on the applicable period). For purposes of calculating the minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, the Amendment permits us to exclude from the definition of “consolidated interest expense” in our senior secured credit facility swap termination and cancellation costs incurred in connection with any purchase, repurchase, payments or repayment of any loans under our senior secured credit facility, including pursuant to a modified Dutch auction. The table below shows the required and actual financial ratios under our senior secured credit facility as of September 30, 2009.

 

    

Required Ratio

   Actual Ratio

Maximum senior secured leverage ratio

   No greater than 3.75:1.00    2.10:1.00

Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio

   No less than 1.75:1.00    3.04:1.00

In addition, we are required to give notice to the administrative agent and the lenders under our senior secured credit facility of defaults under the facility documentation and other material events, make any new wholly-owned restricted domestic subsidiary a subsidiary guarantor and pledge substantially all after-acquired property as collateral to secure our and our subsidiary guarantors’ obligations in respect of the facility.

 

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Events of Default

Our senior secured credit facility contains customary events of default, including upon a change of control. If such an event of default occurs, the lenders under our senior secured credit facility would be entitled to take various actions, including in certain circumstances increasing the effective interest rate and accelerating the amounts due under our senior secured credit facility.

See our 2008 Form 10-K for further information regarding interest and fees, guarantees and security, prepayment and covenants related to our senior secured credit facility.

6  5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2009

On January 15, 2009, we satisfied and discharged the 2009 Secured Notes indenture in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Upon satisfaction and discharge, the indenture ceased to be of further effect (except for certain rights of the Trustee.)

Senior Secured Convertible Notes due 2033

In May 2003, we issued $239,794,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2033 Secured Notes in a private placement transaction at an issue price of $667.24 per note, resulting in gross proceeds to us of $160.0 million. During the second quarter of 2008, we conducted a cash tender offer for the 2033 Secured Notes that was intended to satisfy the put rights of the holders of such notes that were exercisable on May 22, 2008 under the indenture governing such notes. Pursuant to the tender offer, we repurchased an aggregate principal amount of $239.7 million (or $159.9 million, net of discount) of the 2033 Secured Notes for an aggregate purchase price of $159.9 million. We used the delayed draw term loan portion of our senior secured credit facility to finance the tender offer. As of September 30, 2009, an aggregate principal amount of $85,000 (or approximately $58,000 net of discount) of the 2033 Secured Notes remained outstanding pursuant to the 2033 Secured Notes indenture.

 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015

On March 2, 2007, we issued in a private placement $540.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4 Senior Notes due 2015, or the 2015 Notes. Interest on the 2015 Notes is payable every six months on March 1 and September 1, commencing September 1, 2007. The 2015 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by substantially all of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis. In August 2007, in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement between us and the initial purchasers of the 2015 Notes, we completed an exchange offer to exchange the original notes issued in the private placement for a like principal amount of exchange notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. An aggregate principal amount of $539,925,000 original notes were exchanged for exchange notes in the exchange offer. The remaining $75,000 principal amount of the original notes remains outstanding. The exchange notes are substantially identical to the original notes, except that the exchange notes are not subject to certain transfer restrictions.

Subject to a number of exceptions, the 2015 indenture restricts our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, transfer or sell assets, make certain investments, pay dividends or make distributions or other restricted payments, create certain liens, merge or consolidate, repurchase stock and enter into transactions with affiliates.

We may redeem all or a portion of the 2015 Notes at our option at any time prior to March 1, 2011, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2015 Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium as described in the 2015 indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. At any time on or after March 1, 2011, we may redeem all or a portion of the 2015 Notes at our option at the redemption prices specified in the 2015 indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In addition, on or prior to March 1, 2010, we may redeem at our option up to 35% of the principal amount of the outstanding 2015 Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at the redemption prices specified in the 2015 indenture. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the 2015 indenture, holders have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion of their 2015 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 2015 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the date of repurchase.

Additional Provisions

The indenture governing the 2033 Secured Notes contains a cross-default provision which becomes applicable if we default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument evidencing indebtedness for money borrowed by us and the default results in the acceleration of

 

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such indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and the principal amount of any such accelerated indebtedness aggregates in excess of $25.0 million. The indenture governing the 2015 Notes contains a cross-default provision which becomes applicable if we (a) fail to pay the stated principal amount of any of our indebtedness at its final maturity date, or (b) default under any of our indebtedness and the default results in the acceleration of indebtedness, and, in each case, the principal amount of any such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more. Our credit agreement contains a cross-default provision which becomes applicable if we (a) fail to make any payment under any indebtedness for money borrowed by us (other than the obligations under such credit agreement) and such default continues beyond the grace period provided in the instrument or other agreement under which such indebtedness was created or, (b) otherwise default under any such indebtedness, the effect of which default is to cause such indebtedness to be accelerated or to become subject to a mandatory offer to purchase and, in either instance, such default(s) are continuing with respect to indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of $25.0 million.

As of September 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all of our indenture covenants.

Subject to applicable limitations in our senior secured credit facility and indentures, we may from time to time repurchase our debt in the open market, through tender offers, exchanges of debt securities, by exercising rights to call, satisfying put obligations or in privately negotiated transactions.

 

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Other Indebtedness

During the second quarter of 2007, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional principal amount of $480.0 million. These interest rate swaps effectively fix the interest rate at 6.795% for $480.0 million of our variable rate debt under our senior secured credit facility. We initially designated the swaps as hedging instruments to offset the changes in cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates on this variable rate debt through December 31, 2010. Periodic measurement of hedge effectiveness was performed quarterly through March 31, 2009. Any changes in the fair value of derivatives determined to be effective were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, while any changes in the fair value of derivatives determined to be ineffective were recorded in earnings and reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of income as part of interest expense.

On April 1, 2009, we elected to change the interest rate on our variable rate debt under our senior secured credit facility from three-month LIBOR to one-month LIBOR. In conjunction with this, we discontinued cash flow hedge accounting treatment for the interest rate swap agreements. The deferred losses on the interest rate swaps previously charged to accumulated other comprehensive loss will be amortized to interest expense, and any subsequent changes in the fair value of the swaps will be recognized in earnings as a component of interest expense until the swaps expire on December 31, 2010. The discontinuation of hedge accounting may increase the volatility in our reported earnings during the remaining terms of the interest rate swaps.

In February 2009, we reduced the notional principal amount of the interest rate swaps by $32.8 million and paid termination fees of approximately $2.6 million. The termination fees, or deferred losses, related to the terminated portion of the swaps will be amortized to interest expense over the original life of the interest rate swaps, through December 31, 2010.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2009, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $13.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and are anticipated to be approximately $20.0 million for the 2009 fiscal year. It is expected that these expenditures will be made using funds provided by operations.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details of new accounting pronouncements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The SEC has defined a company’s most critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies have not changed materially from those disclosed in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2008 Form 10-K, as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently thereafter.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our principal market risks are interest rates on various debt instruments and foreign exchange rates at our international subsidiaries.

Interest Rates

Our borrowings under our senior secured credit facility are subject to a variable rate of interest calculated on either a prime rate or a Eurodollar rate. To reduce our exposure to fluctuating interest rates, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements which effectively convert an aggregate of $447.2 million, or 87.3% of our variable rate debt, to fixed rate debt. As of September 30, 2009, the fair value of these derivatives was a liability of $24.1 million and an aggregate principal amount of $65.2 million outstanding under the term loan B and delayed draw term loan portions of our senior secured credit facility was subject to interest rate variability.

Foreign Currency

Currencies to which we have exposure are the Mexican peso, Canadian dollar, British pound, Polish zloty and Euro. Currency restrictions are not expected to have a significant effect on our cash flows, liquidity or capital resources. We purchase the Mexican peso under three to twelve-month forward foreign exchange contracts to stabilize the cost of production in Mexico. Our Mexican peso forward exchange contracts initially met the definition of cash flow hedges and, accordingly, the effective portion of the fair value change was recorded as a component of other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion was reflected in the statement of income. Actual exchange losses or gains are recorded against production expense when the contracts are executed. As of September 30, 2009, we had a commitment to purchase $8.8 million in Mexican pesos over the next twelve months. Peso forward foreign exchange contracts that are ineffective under cash flow hedge accounting, resulted in immaterial fair value losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of such period, the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II - Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On January 18, 2006, (and thereafter on October 16, 2006 via an Amended complaint, the “operative complaint”) Valassis filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against News America Incorporated, a/k/a News America Marketing Group, News America Marketing, FSI, Inc. a/k/a News America Marketing FSI, LLC and News America Marketing In-Store Services, Inc. a/k/a News America Marketing In-Store Services, LLC (collectively “News”). The operative complaint alleges violation of the Sherman Act, various state competitive statutes and the commission of torts by News in connection with the marketing and sale of FSI space and in-store promotion and advertising services. Specifically, the operative complaint alleges that News has tied the purchase of its in-store promotion and advertising services to the purchase of space in its FSI and that News has attempted to monopolize the FSI market.

On November 17, 2006, News filed an answer to the Federal claims raised in the operative complaint, but moved to dismiss the state law claims on the basis that the court should not exercise its supplemental jurisdiction over these claims. On March 23, 2007, the Federal Court dismissed the state law claims without prejudice, declining to exercise supplemental jurisdiction. The parties filed summary judgment motions, which were denied by the Federal Court on September 4, 2009. Our Federal trial is scheduled for February 2, 2010.

The substantive state law claims which were dismissed by the Federal Court were refiled on March 9, 2007 in the State of Michigan Wayne County Circuit Court raising common law and statutory causes of action. The Michigan state case was tried to a jury in Wayne County during May, June and July 2009. The jury returned a verdict of $300.0 million in Valassis’ favor on July 23, 2009. Judgment has been entered and pre- and post-judgment interest is accruing on a compounding basis beginning March 9, 2007. On August 8, 2009 and August 28, 2009, among other filings, News filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and a motion for new trial, respectively. This award is subject to the risks of further post-trial motions, appeal and collection.

On March 9, 2007, Valassis also filed a state law action in the Supreme Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles raising claims under California’s Cartwright, Unfair Competition and Unfair Practices Acts. News America moved to dismiss the California state law claims and the motion was denied. The California case is currently not scheduled for trial as it was stayed pending the outcome of the Michigan state case and has been further stayed until December 2, 2009. Valassis seeks damages, injunctive relief, costs and other remedies available under the various causes of action.

Upon completion of our acquisition of ADVO, we assumed responsibility for ADVO’s pending securities class action lawsuits. In September 2006, three securities class action lawsuits (Robert Kelleher v. ADVO, Inc., et al., Jorge Cornet v. ADVO, Inc., et al., Richard L. Field v. ADVO, Inc., et al.) were filed against ADVO and certain of its officers in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut by certain ADVO shareholders seeking to certify a class of all persons who purchased ADVO stock between July 6, 2006 and August 30, 2006. The cases have been consolidated under a single action titled Robert Kelleher et al. v. ADVO, Inc., et al., Civil Case No. 3:06CV01422(AVC) and a consolidated amended complaint was filed on June 8, 2007. The complaint generally alleges ADVO violated federal securities law by making a series of materially false and misleading statements concerning ADVO’s business and financial results in connection with the proposed merger and, as a result, the price of ADVO’s stock was allegedly inflated.

On August 24, 2007, the defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the complaint, which was denied. On August 29, 2008, plaintiff moved for certification of the case as a class action. This motion was granted on March 27, 2009. On October 28, 2009, the parties entered into an agreement providing for the settlement of the action and filed papers seeking preliminary approval of a settlement agreement in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The settlement is subject to approval by the court, and the settlement amount of $12.5 million will be paid from the proceeds of ADVO’s directors and officers’ insurance policy, with no adverse impact to Valassis’ financial statements.

We are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2008 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and future results. The risks described in our 2008 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

No shares of our common stock were repurchased during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. There are 6.1 million shares currently available under approved share repurchase programs. We suspended our share repurchase program in February 2006 and no shares have been repurchased since that time.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

 

10.1    Employment Agreement between Valassis Communications, Inc., NCH Marketing Services, Inc. and Brian Husselbee, dated as of September 28, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Valassis’ Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-10991) filed on September 30, 2009)
31.1    Section 302 Certification of Alan F. Schultz
31.2    Section 302 Certification of Robert L. Recchia
32.1    Section 906 Certification of Alan F. Schultz
32.2    Section 906 Certification of Robert L. Recchia

 

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 6, 2009

 

Valassis Communications, Inc.

 (Registrant)

By:  

/s/ Robert L. Recchia

Robert L. Recchia
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Signing on behalf of the Registrant and as principal financial and accounting officer.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Employment Agreement between Valassis Communications, Inc., NCH Marketing Services, Inc. and Brian Husselbee, dated as of September 28, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Valassis’ Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-10991) filed on September 30, 2009)
31.1    Section 302 Certification of Alan F. Schultz
31.2    Section 302 Certification of Robert L. Recchia
32.1    Section 906 Certification of Alan F. Schultz
32.2    Section 906 Certification of Robert L. Recchia

 

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