IZEA(US:IZEA)2020-03-30 20:54Company Overview - IZEA has completed over 3.8 million influencer and content marketing transactions for customers ranging from small local businesses to Fortune 500 companies[31]. - IZEA's mission is to help creators monetize their content, creativity, and influence, establishing a strong market presence since its inception in 2006[18]. - The company has developed a comprehensive influencer marketing platform that is considered best in class for enterprise users[39]. Technology and Product Development - Since 2009, IZEA has invested over $24.1 million in engineering resources and product development to enhance its platform[42]. - The company plans to release Shake in 2020, which will allow marketers and brands to transact in a new way, leveraging its existing customer base[42]. - IZEA's technology platform, IZEAx, is designed to streamline transactions between marketers and creators, improving efficiency and scalability[30]. - The acquisition of TapInfluence in July 2018 has improved influencer discovery and content workflow within IZEAx[29]. - The company launched the latest version 3.0 of the IZEAx platform in April 2019, continuing to add new features annually[59]. - Future growth strategies include ongoing product development and the introduction of new complementary software services[41]. Financial Performance - Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019, was $18,955,672, a decrease of 5.67% from $20,099,695 in 2018[258]. - The company reported a net loss of $7,290,120 for 2019, compared to a net loss of $5,718,407 in 2018, reflecting an increase in losses of approximately 27.58%[258]. - Total current assets increased to $12,034,560 in 2019 from $9,607,389 in 2018, representing a growth of 25.00%[256]. - Total liabilities decreased significantly from $15,699,762 in 2018 to $10,226,338 in 2019, a reduction of approximately 34.73%[256]. - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2019 were $5,884,629, up from $1,968,403 at the end of 2018, marking a substantial increase of 198.00%[263]. - The company’s accumulated deficit increased to $60,384,769 in 2019 from $53,094,649 in 2018, indicating a rise of 13.76%[261]. - Total stockholders' equity rose to $13,718,023 in 2019, compared to $7,218,315 in 2018, reflecting an increase of 90.00%[261]. - The company incurred total costs and expenses of $26,123,376 in 2019, which is an increase of 2.41% from $25,508,745 in 2018[258]. Revenue Sources - The company generates revenue from five primary sources, including Managed Services and Marketplace Spend Fees, with the latter expected to increase following the migration from the Ebyline platform[49]. - Managed Services accounted for approximately 81% of total revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, while SaaS Services accounted for about 18%[53]. - Revenue from SaaS Services is increasing, but there has been a year-over-year decrease in revenue from Managed Services, which is unpredictable due to reliance on individual one-time customer orders[142]. - Revenue is generated from five primary sources, including Managed Services, Marketplace Spend Fees, License Fees, Legacy Workflow Fees, and Other fees[293]. Market and Competition - The company aims to address inefficiencies in the influencer marketing space, which is currently fragmented and competitive[33]. - The market for influencer and content marketing is highly competitive, with increased competition leading to reduced pricing and margins[105]. - The company faces competition from multiple companies in the influencer and content marketing categories, which could impact pricing and margins[61]. - The company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly with the Canadian dollar, which could adversely affect its financial position and operating results[118]. Operational Challenges - The company has incurred significant net losses and negative cash flow from operations for most periods since inception, indicating a need for additional capital to continue as a going concern[86]. - The company may need to significantly slow or pause development activities if it does not raise additional capital in the near term[87]. - The company faces risks related to potential litigation, which could divert management's attention and incur significant legal expenses[103]. - The company may encounter challenges in attracting and retaining customers, which is critical for revenue growth and profitability[112]. - The company has experienced extreme volatility and disruptions in capital markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition[90]. Compliance and Regulatory Issues - The company has established terms of service mandating disclosure of sponsored relationships between marketers and creators, requiring creators to select disclosure phrases such as "sponsored" or "advertisement" prior to publication[73]. - The company is committed to ethical social sponsorship practices and encourages transparency in the relationships between marketers and creators[72]. - The influencer marketing business is subject to regulatory scrutiny regarding advertising practices, which could lead to increased compliance costs and reduced revenue if consumer confidence is affected[122]. - Compliance with evolving privacy laws, such as the GDPR, may incur substantial operational costs and require changes in business practices, impacting financial results[123]. Employee and Operational Structure - The company had 122 employees as of December 31, 2019, with 117 being full-time, including 51 in sales and marketing, 23 in campaign fulfillment, 31 in technology and development, and 12 in administration and finance[80]. - The company faces intense competition for qualified personnel, particularly in the Orlando, Florida area, which could adversely affect its ability to manage operations and achieve objectives[134]. Accounting and Financial Reporting - The company has changed its method of accounting for leases effective January 1, 2019, due to the adoption of new accounting standards[248]. - The Company adopted a new goodwill impairment test method in the third quarter of 2019, resulting in no impairment charges recognized for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019[284]. - The Company assesses collectibility based on customer creditworthiness and payment history, with transaction prices determined based on fixed fees[296].