Edgar Filing: MEREDITH CORP

FY14 Q1 Sept 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10‑Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013	Commission file number 1-5128




MEREDITH CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Iowa		42-0410230
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa		50309-3023
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (515) 284-3000

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 S 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 (Section 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 S 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 "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer S Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer £ 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 S

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Shares of stock outstanding at September 30, 2013
Common shares	36,388,802
Class B shares	8,314,326
Total common and Class B shares	44,703,128




TABLE OF CONTENTS



			Page
	Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.	Financial Statements

		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013, and June 30, 2013	1

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	2

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	3

		Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	4

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	5

		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		12

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		19

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		20

	Part II - Other Information

Item 1A.	Risk Factors		20

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		21

Item 6.	Exhibits		22

	Signature		23

	Index to Attached Exhibits		E-1



Meredith Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q (Form 10‑Q) as Meredith, the Company, we, our, and us.



PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.	Financial Statements

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)



Assets	September 30, 2013				June 30, 2013
(In thousands)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	16,368		$	27,674
Accounts receivable, net		237,025			232,305
Inventories		28,974			28,386
Current portion of subscription acquisition costs		96,758			97,982
Current portion of broadcast rights		8,402			2,831
Other current assets		20,854			18,514
Total current assets		408,381			407,692
Property, plant, and equipment		464,916			464,255
Less accumulated depreciation		(283,236		)	(277,938		)
Net property, plant, and equipment		181,680			186,317
Subscription acquisition costs		95,646			99,433
Broadcast rights		4,283			3,634
Other assets		71,412			69,848
Intangible assets, net		580,908			584,281
Goodwill		788,786			788,854
Total assets		$	2,131,096		$	2,140,059

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt		$	25,000		$	50,000
Current portion of long-term broadcast rights payable		8,638			4,089
Accounts payable		62,047			78,458
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		111,639			132,676
Current portion of unearned subscription revenues		189,226			191,448
Total current liabilities		396,550			456,671
Long-term debt		345,000			300,000
Long-term broadcast rights payable		6,082			5,096
Unearned subscription revenues		158,042			163,809
Deferred income taxes		255,977			247,487
Other noncurrent liabilities		111,667			112,700
Total liabilities		1,273,318			1,285,763
Shareholders' equity
Series preferred stock		—			—
Common stock		36,389			36,242
Class B stock		8,314			8,324
Additional paid-in capital		47,398			50,170
Retained earnings		781,628			775,901
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(15,951		)	(16,341		)
Total shareholders' equity		857,778			854,296
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,131,096		$	2,140,059

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(Unaudited)



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands except per share data)
Revenues
Advertising	$	198,547		$	207,122
Circulation	75,734			75,489
All other	82,171			71,546
Total revenues	356,452			354,157
Operating expenses
Production, distribution, and editorial	140,777			140,611
Selling, general, and administrative	161,072			156,314
Depreciation and amortization	11,795			11,927
Total operating expenses	313,644			308,852
Income from operations	42,808			45,305
Interest expense, net	(2,713		)	(3,686		)
Earnings before income taxes	40,095			41,619
Income taxes	(16,054		)	(16,764		)
Net earnings	$	24,041		$	24,855

Basic earnings per share	$	0.54		$	0.56
Basic average shares outstanding	44,648			44,494

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.53		$	0.55
Diluted average shares outstanding	45,432			45,043

Dividends paid per share	$	0.4075		$	0.3825

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)



Three months ended September 30,	2013		2012
(In thousands)
Net earnings	$	24,041	$	24,855
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans activity	390		364
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	390		364
Comprehensive income	$	24,431	$	25,219

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity

(Unaudited)



(In thousands except per share data)	Common Stock - $1 par value				Class B Stock - $1 par value				Additional Paid-in Capital				Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss				Total
Balance at June 30, 2013		$	36,242			$	8,324			$	50,170		$	775,901			$	(16,341	)	$	854,296
Net earnings		—				—				—			24,041				—			24,041
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans reclassifications, net of income taxes		—				—				—			—				390			390
Share-based incentive plan transactions		1,161				—				42,707			—				—			43,868
Purchases of Company stock		(1,024		)		—				(47,935		)	—				—			(48,959		)
Share-based compensation		—				—				4,244			—				—			4,244
Conversion of Class B to common stock		10				(10		)		—			—				—			—
Dividends paid
Common stock		—				—				—			(14,925		)		—			(14,925		)
Class B stock		—				—				—			(3,389		)		—			(3,389		)
Tax benefit from incentive plans		—				—				(1,788		)	—				—			(1,788		)
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	36,389			$	8,314			$	47,398		$	781,628			$	(15,951	)	$	857,778

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$	24,041		$	24,855
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Depreciation	8,423			9,001
Amortization	3,372			2,926
Share-based compensation	4,244			4,557
Deferred income taxes	8,746			11,379
Amortization of broadcast rights	2,245			2,626
Payments for broadcast rights	(2,930		)	(3,212		)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	(3,063		)	(1,216		)
Changes in assets and liabilities	(51,506		)	(40,343		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(6,428		)	10,573
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions of and investments in businesses	(750		)	(3,291		)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(3,786		)	(5,678		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,536		)	(8,969		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	91,000			35,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(71,000		)	(10,000		)
Dividends paid	(18,314		)	(17,086		)
Purchases of Company stock	(48,959		)	(18,305		)
Proceeds from common stock issued	43,868			10,086
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	3,063			1,216
Other	—			(763		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(342		)	148
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,306		)	1,752
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	27,674			25,820
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	16,368		$	27,572

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation—The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Meredith Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (Meredith or the Company), after eliminating all significant intercompany balances and transactions. Meredith does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company's use of special-purpose entities is limited to Meredith Funding Corporation, whose activities are fully consolidated in Meredith's condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in Meredith's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended June 30, 2013, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013, and for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, are unaudited but, in management's opinion, include all normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2013, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance related to Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, companies are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. This update is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal 2014. The adoption of this guidance required a change in the format of presentation only. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our results of operations or financial position.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the unrecognized tax benefits. The guidance is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal 2015 with earlier adoption permitted. Retrospective application of the guidance is also permitted. While the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on our results of operations or cash flows, we are currently evaluating the impact of presenting unrecognized tax benefits net of our deferred tax assets where applicable on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

2. Inventories

Major components of inventories are summarized below. Of total net inventory values shown, 49 percent are under the last-in first-out (LIFO) method at September 30, 2013, and 50 percent at June 30, 2013.



(In thousands)	September 30, 2013				June 30, 2013
Raw materials		$	13,500		$	14,336
Work in process		17,558			16,392
Finished goods		2,938			2,680
		33,996			33,408
Reserve for LIFO cost valuation		(5,022		)	(5,022		)
Inventories		$	28,974		$	28,386

3. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets consist of the following:



	September 30, 2013							June 30, 2013
(In thousands)	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount
Intangible assets
subject to amortization
National media
Advertiser relationships	$	8,752	$	(4,460	)	$	4,292	$	8,752	$	(3,755	)	$	4,997
Customer lists	16,257		(11,991		)	4,266		16,387		(11,242		)	5,145
Other	17,105		(3,608		)	13,497		16,805		(3,041		)	13,764
Local media
Network affiliation agreements	218,559		(118,755		)	99,804		218,559		(117,533		)	101,026
Total	$	260,673	$	(138,814	)	121,859		$	260,503	$	(135,571	)	124,932
Intangible assets not
subject to amortization
National media
Internet domain names						1,827							1,827
Trademarks						158,146							158,446
Local media
FCC licenses						299,076							299,076
Total						459,049							459,349
Intangible assets, net						$	580,908						$	584,281

Amortization expense was $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Annual amortization expense for intangible assets is expected to be as follows: $12.7 million in fiscal 2014, $10.4 million in fiscal 2015, $7.9 million in fiscal 2016, $6.6 million in fiscal 2017, and $6.1 million in fiscal 2018.

Changes in the carrying amount of national media goodwill were as follows:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	788,854		$	733,127
Acquisitions	(68		)	1,500
Balance at end of period	$	788,786		$	734,627

4. Restructuring Accrual

Changes in the Company's restructuring accrual were as follows:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,103		$	10,644
Cash payments	(1,402		)	(2,487		)
Balance at end of period	$	6,701		$	8,157

5. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:



(In thousands)	September 30, 2013				June 30, 2013
Variable-rate credit facilities
Asset-backed bank facility of $100 million, due 4/24/2015		$	75,000		$	75,000
Revolving credit facility of $150 million, due 9/12/2017		70,000			—

Private placement notes
6.70% senior notes, due 7/13/2013		—			50,000
7.19% senior notes, due 7/13/2014		25,000			25,000
2.62% senior notes, due 3/1/2015		50,000			50,000
3.04% senior notes, due 3/1/2016		50,000			50,000
3.04% senior notes, due 3/1/2017		50,000			50,000
3.04% senior notes, due 3/1/2018		50,000			50,000
Total long-term debt		370,000			350,000
Current portion of long-term debt		(25,000		)	(50,000		)
Long-term debt		$	345,000		$	300,000

In connection with the asset-backed bank facility, Meredith entered into a revolving agreement to sell all of its rights, title, and interest in the majority of its accounts receivable related to advertising and miscellaneous revenues to Meredith Funding Corporation, a special-purpose entity established to purchase accounts receivable from Meredith. At September 30, 2013, $161.6 million of accounts receivable net of reserves was outstanding under the agreement. Meredith Funding Corporation in turn may sell receivable interests to a major national bank. In consideration of the sale, Meredith receives cash and a subordinated note, bearing interest at the prime rate, 3.25 percent at September 30, 2013, from Meredith Funding Corporation. The agreement is structured as a true sale under which the creditors of Meredith Funding Corporation will be entitled to be satisfied out of the assets of

Meredith Funding Corporation prior to any value being returned to Meredith or its creditors. The accounts of Meredith Funding Corporation are fully consolidated in Meredith's condensed consolidated financial statements.

6. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands)
Pension benefits
Service cost	$	2,538		$	2,525
Interest cost	1,398			1,228
Expected return on plan assets	(2,422		)	(2,366		)
Prior service cost amortization	81			90
Actuarial loss amortization	511			813
Net periodic benefit costs	$	2,106		$	2,290

Postretirement benefits
Service cost	$	65		$	94
Interest cost	131			153
Prior service cost amortization	(125		)	(134		)
Actuarial gain amortization	(61		)	—
Curtailment credit	(1,511		)	—
Net periodic benefit costs (benefit)	$	(1,501	)	$	113

The amortization of amounts related to unrecognized prior service costs and net actuarial loss were reclassified out of other comprehensive income as components of net periodic benefit costs.

The curtailment credit was triggered by a change in the postretirement benefit plan to no longer subsidize retiree medical coverage and life insurance to future non-union retirees.

7. Earnings per Share

The following table presents the calculations of earnings per share:



Three months ended September 30,	2013		2012
(In thousands except per share data)
Net earnings	$	24,041	$	24,855
Basic average shares outstanding	44,648		44,494
Dilutive effect of stock options and equivalents	784		549
Diluted average shares outstanding	45,432		45,043
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share	$	0.54	$	0.56
Diluted earnings per share	0.53		0.55

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, antidilutive options excluded from the above calculations totaled 1,678,000 (with a weighted average exercise price of $50.70) and 3,224,000 (with a weighted average exercise price of $46.29), respectively.

In the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, options were exercised to purchase 1,009,000 and 331,000 common shares, respectively.

8. Fair Value Measurements

We have estimated the fair value of our financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies we believe to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts that we would realize upon disposition.

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are described below:



•	Level 1	Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•	Level 2	Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable;
•	Level 3	Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates.

The following table sets forth the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments:



	September 30, 2013				June 30, 2013
(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Broadcast rights payable	$	14,720	$	14,041	$	9,185	$	8,723
Long-term debt	370,000		370,448		350,000		350,132

The fair value of broadcast rights payable was determined using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the Company's current borrowing rate with inputs included in Level 3. The fair value of long-term debt was determined using the present value of expected future cash flows using borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and maturities with inputs included in Level 2.

9. Financial Information about Industry Segments

Meredith is a diversified media company focused primarily on the home and family marketplace. On the basis of products and services, the Company has established two reportable segments: national media and local media. There have been no changes in the basis of segmentation since June 30, 2013. There are no material intersegment transactions.

There are two principal financial measures reported to the chief executive officer for use in assessing segment performance and allocating resources. Those measures are operating profit and earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). Operating profit for segment reporting, disclosed below, is revenues less operating costs excluding unallocated corporate expenses. Segment operating expenses include allocations of certain centrally incurred costs such as employee benefits, occupancy, information systems, accounting services, internal legal staff, and human resources administration. These costs are allocated based on

actual usage or other appropriate methods, primarily number of employees. Unallocated corporate expenses are corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to the operating groups. In accordance with authoritative guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information, EBITDA is not presented below.

The following table presents financial information by segment:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands)
Revenues
National media	$	266,899		$	266,970
Local media	89,553			87,187
Total revenues	$	356,452		$	354,157

Operating profit
National media	$	28,076		$	29,424
Local media	25,676			27,644
Unallocated corporate	(10,944		)	(11,763		)
Income from operations	$	42,808		$	45,305

Depreciation and amortization
National media	$	4,950		$	5,390
Local media	6,433			6,102
Unallocated corporate	412			435
Total depreciation and amortization	$	11,795		$	11,927



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

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to various uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements are set forth below under the heading “Forward Looking Statements."

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Meredith Corporation is the leading media and marketing company serving American women. Meredith features multiple well-known national brands—including Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, Family Circle, Allrecipes.com, Ladies' Home Journal, Fitness, More, American Baby, EveryDay with Rachael Ray, and FamilyFun—and local television brands in fast-growing markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix, and Portland. Meredith is the industry leader in creating content in key consumer interest areas such as home, family, food, health and wellness, and self-development. Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms—including print, television, digital, mobile, tablets, and video—to give consumers content they desire and to deliver the messages of our advertising and marketing partners. Additionally, Meredith uses our many assets to create powerful custom marketing solutions for many of the nation's top brands and companies.

Meredith operates two business segments. The national media segment consists of magazine publishing, digital and mobile media, digital and customer relationship marketing, brand licensing, database-related activities, and other related operations. The local media segment consists of 12 network-affiliated television stations, related digital and mobile media operations, and video creation operations. Both segments operate primarily in the U.S. and compete against similar media and other types of media on both a local and national basis. The national media segment accounted for 75 percent of the Company's $356.5 million in revenues in the first three months of fiscal 2014 while the local media segment contributed 25 percent.

NATIONAL MEDIA

Advertising revenues made up 50 percent of national media's first three months' revenues. These revenues were generated from the sale of advertising space in our magazines and on our websites to clients interested in promoting their brands, products, and services to consumers. Circulation revenues accounted for 28 percent of national media's first three months' revenues. Circulation revenues result from the sale of magazines to consumers through subscriptions and by single copy sales on newsstands in print form, primarily at major retailers and grocery/drug stores and in digital form on tablets. The remaining 22 percent of national media's revenues came from a variety of activities that included the sale of customer relationship marketing products and services and books as well as brand licensing, product sales, and other related activities. National media's major expense categories are production and delivery of publications and promotional mailings and employee compensation costs.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local media derives the majority of its revenues—72 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014—from the sale of advertising, both over the air and on our stations' websites. The remainder comes from television retransmission fees, television production services and products, and other services. Political advertising revenues are cyclical in that they are significantly greater during biennial election campaigns (which take place primarily in odd-numbered

fiscal years) than at other times. Local media's major expense categories are employee compensation and programming fees paid to the networks.

FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2014 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW


•	National media revenues were flat as compared to the prior-year period. National media operating profit decreased 5 percent as declines in operating results in our magazine operations more than offset improved operating results in our interactive media and licensing operations.


•	Local media group revenues increased 3 percent as higher other revenues and non-political advertising revenues more than offset the expected decline in political revenues. Operating profit declined 7 percent to $25.7 million compared to $27.6 million in the year-ago period due to the change in the revenue mix.


•	Diluted earnings per share decreased 4 percent to $0.53 from $0.55 in the prior-year first three months.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

These condensed consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Our analysis of local media results includes references to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP measures. We use EBITDA along with operating profit and other GAAP measures to evaluate the financial performance of our local media segment. EBITDA is a common measure of performance in the broadcasting industry and is used by investors and financial analysts, but its calculation may vary among companies. Local media segment EBITDA is not used as a measure of liquidity, nor is it necessarily indicative of funds available for our discretionary use.

We believe the non-GAAP measures used in MD&A contribute to an understanding of our financial performance and provide an additional analytic tool to understand our results from core operations and to reveal underlying trends. These measures should not, however, be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012			Change
(In thousands except per share data)
Total revenues	$	356,452		$	354,157		1	%
Operating expenses	(313,644		)	(308,852		)	2	%
Income from operations	$	42,808		$	45,305		(6	)%
Net earnings	$	24,041		$	24,855		(3	)%
Diluted earnings per share	0.53			0.55			(4	)%

The following sections provide an analysis of the results of operations for the national media and local media segments and an analysis of the consolidated results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared with the prior-year period. This commentary should be read in conjunction with the interim condensed consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report and with our Annual Report on Form 10‑K (Form 10‑K) for the year ended June 30, 2013.

NATIONAL MEDIA

National media operating results were as follows:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012			Change
(In thousands)
Advertising	$	133,684		$	132,664		1	%
Circulation	75,734			75,489			0	%
Other	57,481			58,817			(2	)%
Total revenues	266,899			266,970			0	%
Operating expenses	(238,823		)	(237,546		)	1	%
Operating profit	$	28,076		$	29,424		(5	)%
Operating profit margin	10.5		%	11.0		%

Revenues

National media advertising revenues increased 1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Magazine advertising revenues declined 1 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014. Total advertising pages increased in the low-single digits on a percentage basis. Our parenthood titles (Parents, Family Fun, and American Baby), lifestyle titles (Fitness, More, EveryDay with Rachael Ray, and EatingWell), and men's titles (Successful Farming and Wood) reported growth in both advertising pages and advertising revenues. Advertising pages and advertising revenues for our women's service titles (Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, and Ladies' Home Journal), shelter titles (Traditional Home, Midwest Living, and special interest publications), and Hispanic titles (Siempre Mujer and Ser Padres) were lower. Among our core advertising categories, direct response, prescription drug, food and beverage, and non-prescription drugs showed strength while demand was weaker for the retail, toiletries and cosmetics, and home categories. Online advertising revenues in our digital and mobile media operations increased 10 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Magazine circulation revenues were flat in the first three months of fiscal 2014. While subscription revenues increased in the mid-single digits on a percentage basis, newsstand revenues declined in the low teens. The increase in subscription revenues is primarily due to the additional subscribers obtained through the acquisition of Parenting and Babytalk magazines. The decline in newsstand revenues is primarily due to weakness in our special interest media titles.

Other revenues decreased 2 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. While brand licensing revenues increased 11 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing (MXM) revenues were down 10 percent.

Operating Expenses

National media operating expenses increased 1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 primarily due to increased circulation expenses. Circulation expenses rose due to an increase in agent expenses. Partially offsetting the increase in circulation expenses were declines in paper, processing, and postage costs primarily due to the decrease in printing volumes. In addition to the decrease in the volume of paper used, paper expense also decreased due to a low-single digits decline in average paper prices as compared to the year-ago period. In accord with the decrease in MXM's revenues, customer relationship marketing production expenses also declined. MXM employee payroll and related costs also decreased primarily due to a performance improvement plan implemented in the prior year.

Operating Profit

National media operating profit decreased 5 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014 compared with the prior-year period as declines in operating results in our magazine operations more than offset improved operating results in our interactive media and licensing operations.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local media operating results were as follows:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012			Change
(In thousands)
Non-political advertising	$	64,352		$	62,246		3	%
Political advertising	511			12,212			(96	)%
Other	24,690			12,729			94	%
Total revenues	89,553			87,187			3	%
Operating expenses	(63,877		)	(59,543		)	7	%
Operating profit	$	25,676		$	27,644		(7	)%
Operating profit margin	28.7		%	31.7		%

Revenues

Local media revenues increased 3 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014. Net political advertising revenues totaled $0.5 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared with $12.2 million in the prior-year first quarter. Fluctuations in political advertising revenues at our stations and throughout the broadcasting industry generally follow the biennial cycle of election campaigns. Political advertising displaces a certain amount of non-political advertising; therefore, the revenues are not entirely incremental. Non-political advertising revenues increased 3 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014. Local non-political advertising revenues increased 2 percent. National non-political advertising increased 3 percent. Online advertising revenues grew 25 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014.

Other revenue almost doubled in the first quarter primarily reflecting increased retransmission fees.

Operating Expenses

Local media operating expenses increased 7 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014 primarily due to increased programming fees paid to the networks.

Operating Profit

Local media operating profit decreased 7 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The decline is primarily due to increased operating expenses and a change in the mix of revenues from higher margin political advertising revenues to lower margin other revenues.

Supplemental Disclosure of Local Media EBITDA

Meredith's local media EBITDA is defined as local media operating profit plus depreciation and amortization expense. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. See the discussion of management's rationale for the use of EBITDA in the preceding Executive Overview section. Local media EBITDA and EBITDA margin were as follows:



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012
(In thousands)
Revenues	$	89,553		$	87,187
Operating profit	$	25,676		$	27,644
Depreciation and amortization	6,433			6,102
EBITDA	$	32,109		$	33,746
EBITDA margin	35.9		%	38.7		%

UNALLOCATED CORPORATE EXPENSES

Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead expenses not attributable to the operating groups. These expenses were as follows:



Unallocated Corporate Expenses	2013	2012	Change
(In thousands)
Three months ended September 30,	10,944	11,763	(7	)%

Unallocated corporate expenses declined 7 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014 compared with the prior-year period primarily due to a favorable curtailment credit related to our postretirement benefit plan partially offset by an increase in accrued consulting costs.

CONSOLIDATED

Consolidated Operating Expenses

Consolidated operating expenses were as follows:



Three months ended September 30,	2013		2012		Change
(In thousands)
Production, distribution, and editorial	$	140,777	$	140,611	0	%
Selling, general, and administrative	161,072		156,314		3	%
Depreciation and amortization	11,795		11,927		(1	)%
Operating expenses	$	313,644	$	308,852	2	%

Production, distribution, and editorial costs were flat in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior-year period. Declines in national media paper, processing, and postage expenses and customer relationship marketing production costs and local media film amortization offset an increase in local media programming fees paid to the networks.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 3 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014 as increases in circulation expenses and consulting costs more than offset a decline in medical costs and a favorable curtailment credit related to our postretirement benefit plan.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Income from Operations

Income from operations decreased 6 percent from $45.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 to $42.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 primarily due to lower political revenues due to the cyclical nature of political advertising, and weaker operating profits in our magazine operations partially offset by improved operating results in our interactive media and licensing operations.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense decreased to $2.7 million in the fiscal 2014 first quarter compared with $3.7 million in the prior-year first quarter. Average long-term debt outstanding was $358.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared with $391.3 million in the prior year first quarter. The Company's approximate weighted average interest rate was 3.0 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2014 and 3.8 percent in the first three months of fiscal 2013.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 40.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 as compared to 40.3 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

Net Earnings and Earnings per Share

Net earnings were $24.0 million ($0.53 per diluted share) in the quarter ended September 30, 2013, down 3 percent from $24.9 million ($0.55 per diluted share) in the prior-year first quarter primarily due to lower political revenues due to the cyclical nature of political advertising, and weaker operating profits in our magazine operations partially offset by improved operating results in our interactive media and licensing operations. Both average basic and diluted shares outstanding increased slightly in the periods.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES



Three months ended September 30,	2013			2012			Change
(In thousands)
Net earnings	$	24,041		$	24,855		(3	)%
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(6,428	)	$	10,573		n/m
Cash flows used in investing activities	(4,536		)	(8,969		)	(49	)%
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	(342		)	148			n/m
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(11,306	)	$	1,752		n/m
n/m - Not meaningful

OVERVIEW

Meredith's primary source of liquidity is cash generated by operating activities. Debt financing is typically used for significant acquisitions. We expect cash on hand, internally generated cash flow, and available credit from financing agreements will provide adequate funds for operating and recurring cash needs (e.g., working capital, capital expenditures, debt repayments, and cash dividends) into the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2013, we have up to $80.0 million remaining of additional available borrowings under our revolving credit facility and up to $25.0 million of additional available borrowings under our asset-backed bank facility (depending on levels of accounts receivable). While there are no guarantees that we will be able to replace current credit agreements when they expire, we expect to be able to do so.

SOURCES AND USES OF CASH

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $11.3 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014; they increased $1.8 million in the first three months of fiscal 2013.

Operating Activities

The largest single component of operating cash inflows is cash received from advertising customers. Other sources of operating cash inflows include cash received from magazine circulation sales and other revenue transactions such as customer relationship marketing, retransmission revenues, brand licensing, and product sales. Operating cash outflows include payments to vendors and employees and payments of interest and income taxes. Our most significant vendor payments are for production and delivery of publications and promotional mailings, employee compensation costs and benefits, broadcasting programming rights, and other services and supplies.

Cash used in operating activities totaled $6.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014 compared with cash provided by operating activities of $10.6 million in the first three months of fiscal 2013. The change is primarily due to the timing of cash receipts such as political advertising revenues and of cash payments such as income tax payments.

Investing Activities

Investing cash inflows generally include proceeds from the sale of assets or a business. Investing cash outflows generally include payments for the acquisition of new businesses; investments; and additions to property, plant, and equipment.

Net cash used by investing activities decreased to $4.5 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014 from $9.0 million in the prior-year period. The decrease primarily reflects more cash used in the prior year for acquisitions as well as slightly higher spending for additions to property, plant, and equipment in the prior year.

Financing Activities

Financing cash inflows generally include borrowings under debt agreements and proceeds from the exercise of common stock options issued under share-based compensation plans. Financing cash outflows generally include the repayment of long-term debt, the payment of dividends, and repurchases of Company stock.

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $0.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared with net cash provided by financing activities of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Long-term Debt

At September 30, 2013, long-term debt outstanding totaled $370.0 million ($225.0 million in fixed-rate unsecured senior notes, $75.0 million under an asset-backed bank facility, and $70.0 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility). Of the senior notes, $25.0 million is due in the next 12 months. We expect to repay these senior notes with cash from operations and credit available under existing credit agreements. The weighted average effective interest rate for the fixed-rate notes was 3.41 percent. The interest rate on the asset-backed bank facility is variable based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a fixed spread. As of September 30, 2013, the asset-backed bank facility had a capacity of up to $100 million (depending on levels of accounts receivable). This facility expires on April 24, 2015.

The interest rate on the revolving credit facility is variable based on LIBOR and Meredith's debt to trailing 12 month EBITDA ratio, as defined in the debt agreement. The revolving credit facility has capacity for up to $150 million outstanding with an option to request up to another $150 million. At September 30, 2013, $70.0 million was outstanding under the revolving credit facility. This facility expires on September 12, 2017.

All of our debt agreements include financial covenants, and failure to comply with any such covenants could result in the debt becoming payable on demand. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants at September 30, 2013.

Contractual Obligations

As of September 30, 2013, there had been no material changes in our contractual obligations from those disclosed in our Form 10‑K for the year ended June 30, 2013.

Share Repurchase Program

As part of our ongoing share repurchase program, we spent $49.0 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014 to repurchase 1,024,000 shares of common stock at then-current market prices. We spent $18.3 million to repurchase 531,000 shares in the first three months of fiscal 2013. We expect to continue repurchasing shares from time to time subject to market conditions. Effective July 1, 2013, shares that are deemed to be delivered to us on tender of stock in payment for the exercise price of options do not reduce the repurchase authority granted by our Board. Of the 1,024,000 shares of common stock purchased during the quarter, 880,000 were deemed to be delivered to us on tender of stock in payment for the exercise price of options. As of September 30, 2013, $25.8 million remained available under the current authorization for future repurchases. The status of the repurchase program is reviewed at each quarterly Board of Directors meeting. See Part II, Item 2 (c), Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities, of this Form 10‑Q for detailed information on share repurchases during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Dividends

Dividends paid in the first three months of fiscal 2014 totaled $18.3 million, or $0.4075 per share, compared with dividend payments of $17.1 million, or $0.3825 per share, in the first three months of fiscal 2013.

Capital Expenditures

Investment in property, plant, and equipment totaled $3.8 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014 compared with prior-year first three months investment of $5.7 million. Current year and prior year investments primarily relate to assets acquired in the normal course of business. We have no material commitments for capital expenditures. We expect funds for future capital expenditures to come from operating activities or, if necessary, borrowings under credit agreements.

OTHER MATTERS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Meredith's critical accounting policies are summarized in our Form 10‑K for the year ended June 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the Company's critical accounting policies had not changed from June 30, 2013.

ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING DEVELOPMENTS

There were no new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during the fiscal year which have had or are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail on applicable accounting pronouncements that were adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 or will be effective for fiscal 2015.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current knowledge and estimates of factors affecting the Company's operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Factors that could adversely affect future results include, but are not limited to, downturns in national and/or local economies; a softening of the domestic advertising market; world, national, or local events that could disrupt broadcast television; increased consolidation among major advertisers or other events depressing the level of advertising spending; the unexpected loss or insolvency of one or more major clients; the integration of acquired businesses; changes in consumer reading, purchasing and/or television viewing patterns; increases in paper, postage, printing, syndicated programming or other costs; changes in television network affiliation agreements; technological developments affecting products or methods of distribution; changes in government regulations affecting the Company's industries; increases in interest rates; and the consequences of acquisitions and/or dispositions. Meredith's Form 10‑K for the year ended June 30, 2013, includes a more complete description of the risk factors that may affect our results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Meredith is exposed to certain market risks as a result of our use of financial instruments, in particular the potential market value loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates. The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading purposes and does not hold any derivative financial instruments that could expose the Company to

significant market risk. Readers are referred to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in the Company's Form 10‑K for the year ended June 30, 2013, for a more complete discussion of these risks.

Interest Rates

We generally manage our risk associated with interest rate movements through the use of a combination of variable and fixed-rate debt. At September 30, 2013, Meredith had $225.0 million outstanding in fixed-rate long-term debt. There are no earnings or liquidity risks associated with the Company's fixed-rate debt. The fair value of the fixed-rate debt (based on discounted cash flows reflecting borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and maturities) varies with fluctuations in interest rates. A 10 percent decrease in interest rates would have changed the fair value of the fixed-rate debt to $227.3 million from $225.4 million at September 30, 2013.

At September 30, 2013, $145.0 million of our debt was variable-rate debt. The Company is subject to earnings and liquidity risks for changes in the interest rate on this debt. A 10 percent increase in interest rates would increase annual interest expense by $0.2 million.

Broadcast Rights Payable

There has been no material change in the market risk associated with broadcast rights payable since June 30, 2013.



Item 4.	Controls and Procedures

Meredith's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q, that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that Meredith files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to Meredith's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting in the quarter ended September 30, 2013, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.



PART II	OTHER INFORMATION



Item 1A.	Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the Company's risk factors as disclosed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in the Company's Form 10‑K for the year ended June 30, 2013.



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



(c)		Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company's repurchases of common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.



Period	(a) Total number of shares purchased ^{1, 2}	(b) Average price paid per share			(c) Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced programs	(d) Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under programs
						(in thousands)
July 1 to July 31, 2013	263,983		$	47.29	3,445		$	32,240
August 1 to August 31, 2013	703,137		48.36		86,483		28,103
September 1 to September 30, 2013	56,387		43.78		53,346		25,769
Total	1,023,507				143,274



₁		The number of shares purchased includes 3,445 shares in July 2013, 77,112 shares in August 2013, and 388 shares in September 2013 delivered or deemed to be delivered to us in satisfaction of tax withholding on option exercises and the vesting of restricted shares. These shares are included as part of our repurchase program and reduce the repurchase authority granted by our Board. The number of shares repurchased excludes shares we reacquired pursuant to forfeitures of restricted stock.
₂		The number of shares purchased includes 260,538 shares in July 2013, 616,654 shares in August 2013, and 3,041 shares in September 2013 deemed to be delivered to us on tender of stock in payment for the exercise price of options. Effective July 1, 2013, these shares are no longer included as part of our repurchase program and thus they do not reduce the repurchase authority granted by our Board.

In October 2011, Meredith announced the Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million in additional shares of the Company's stock through public and private transactions.

Effective July 1, 2013, shares that are deemed to be delivered to us on tender of stock in payment for the exercise price of options do not reduce the repurchase authority granted by our Board. Shares delivered or deemed to be delivered to us in satisfaction of tax withholding on option exercises and the vesting of restricted shares continue to reduce the repurchase authority granted by our Board.

For more information on the Company's share repurchase program, see Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading "Share Repurchase Program."



Item 6.	Exhibits

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

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

	101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

	101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

	101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

	101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

	101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

	101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



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.




	MEREDITH CORPORATION
	Registrant

	/s/ Joseph Ceryanec
	Joseph Ceryanec
	Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: October 24, 2013

INDEX TO ATTACHED EXHIBITS



Exhibit Number		Item

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

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

	101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

	101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

	101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

	101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

	101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

	101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

E-1