New Media Announces First Quarter 2015 Results and a 10.0% Increase in its Dividend to $0.33 per Common Share

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Media Investment Group Inc. (“New Media” or the “Company”, NYSE:NEWM) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 29, 2015.

Financial Summary

• New Media declares a cash dividend of $0.33 per share of common stock for the first quarter 2015, a 10.0% increase vs. Q4 2014
• Total revenues of $250.6 million, an increase of 76.4% to prior year, and a decrease of 0.1% on a same store basis*
• Digital revenue of $21.3 million, an increase of 7.5% to the prior year on a same store basis*
• Operating income of $2.6 million
• Net (loss) of $(6.1) million, an improvement of 9.3% to the prior year
• As Adjusted EBITDA of $25.3 million, an increase of 177.8% to the prior year*
• Free cash flow of $19.1 million, or $0.45 per share, an increase of $0.31 per share to the prior year*
• Liquidity, consisting of cash on the balance sheet and undrawn revolver, was $37.9 million as of March 29, 2015

Business Highlights

• Closed two acquisitions, Halifax Media and Stephens Media, for a combined purchase price of $382.5 million
• Completed an equity offering raising gross proceeds of $151.9 million, increasing our liquidity position and ability to execute on our acquisition strategy
• Added a net balance of $102.0 million of incremental debt through our existing term loan and assumed $18.0 million of debt from Halifax
• Increased the revolver capacity in our credit facility by $15.0 million to $40.0 million

Summary of First Quarter 2015 Results
($ in millions except per share data)
GAAP Reporting	Q1 2015
Revenues	$ 250.6
Operating income	$ 2.6
Net (loss)	$ (6.1)
Non-GAAP Reporting*	Q1 2015
As Adjusted EBITDA	$ 25.3
Free cash flow	$ 19.1
Free cash flow per share	$ 0.45
*For definitions and reconciliations of Non-GAAP Reporting measures, please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Note and reconciliations below.

“New Media’s strong first quarter results position the Company for another solid year,” said New Media President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael E. Reed. “Despite the severe winter weather that negatively impacted our publications in the Northeast, we closed the first quarter with total revenues of $250.6 million, As Adjusted EBITDA of $25.3 million, and free cash flow of $19.1 million, an increase of 76.4%, 177.8%, and 349.9% vs. the prior year, respectively. This growth is being driven by the investments we are making in our digital and print initiatives, such as Propel, BestRide, and the Center for News and Design, our accretive acquisition strategy, and our continued focus on centralizing services to efficiently manage expenses. We are particularly proud of our free cash flow per share growing to $0.45 in Q1 2015, from $0.14 in Q1 2014, demonstrating the success of our organic and inorganic strategies.

“During the first quarter, we closed our two largest acquisitions to date, Halifax Media and Stephens Media, for $280.0 and $102.5 million, respectively. Both companies’ publications are well-established, leading providers of local news in the communities they serve, and present a tremendous opportunity for New Media to expand its digital businesses, as well as realize future synergies. As our operations team continues to integrate the new acquisitions, our separate sourcing team continues to work to identify quality, local media assets that fit our financial and operational criteria. With a strong and growing pipeline of potential tuck-in acquisitions, and significant recurring cash flow from our core newspaper business, we believe New Media remains well positioned to create substantial value for our shareholders.”

First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

New Media recorded total revenues of $250.6 million for the quarter, an increase of 76.4% when compared to the prior year, and a decrease of 0.1% on a same store basis.

Total Print Advertising decreased 0.9% on a same store basis driven by Preprints and Local Display which decreased 3.3% and 2.8%, respectively. The declines in Preprint revenue reflect modest circulation volume losses combined with retail store consolidations in some of our markets. The decline in total Print Advertising was partially offset by Classified Print revenue which increased 4.7% on a same store basis. Within Classified Print, we are seeing year over year improvement in obituaries revenue and legals advertising, which now represent over a third of our total Classified Print revenue.

New Media’s Digital category also contributed to the Company’s overall strong revenue performance increasing 7.5% on a same store basis. Revenue from Propel, our digital marketing services business, increased 51.0% to the prior year on a same store basis.

Circulation, our largest individual revenue category at 32% of total revenues, continues to be a stable category with revenue increasing 0.7% on a same store basis. Finally, Commercial Print and Other revenue decreased 5.2% to the prior year on a same store basis, partially driven by recent acquisitions shifting from external print relationships to internal, as they are now part of New Media. This has no impact on As Adjusted EBITDA or income.

Total expenses in the quarter remained flat to the prior year, on a same store basis, totaling $225.3 million, after adjusting for non-recurring and non-cash items. As the Company continues to grow through acquisitions, we are able to leverage our scale to increase our buying power and offset our continued investments in corporate infrastructure, digital initiatives and tuck-in acquisitions.

Though our publications in the Northeast were impacted by the severe winter weather, both on the revenue and expense side, As Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter totaled $25.3 million, an increase of $16.2 million, or 177.8%, over the prior year. Net (loss) of $(6.1) million was impacted by approximately $3.4 million of acquisition related costs, $2.1 million of costs related to the debt fundraising and amendments, and $1.9 million of severance. Free cash flow of $19.1 million increased 349.9% over the prior year to $0.45 per share.

First Quarter 2015 Dividend

New Media’s Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2015 cash dividend of $0.33 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on May 21, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 13, 2015.

The declaration and payment of any dividends are at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, which may decide to change the Company’s dividend policy at any time.

Additional Information

For additional information that management believes to be useful for investors, please refer to the presentation posted on the Investor Relations section of New Media’s website, www.newmediainv.com and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which will be available on the Company’s website. Nothing on our website is included or incorporated by reference herein.

Earnings Conference Call

New Media’s management will host a conference call on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time. A copy of the earnings release will be posted to the Investor Relations section of New Media’s website, www.newmediainv.com.

All interested parties are welcome to participate on the live call. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-601-8827 (from within the U.S.) or 1-918-534-8645 (from outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call; please reference “New Media First Quarter Earnings Call.”

A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.newmediainv.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the website and download any necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available approximately two hours following the call’s completion through 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 14, 2015 by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (from within the U.S.) or 1-404-537-3406 (from outside of the U.S.); please reference access code “23403995.”

About New Media Investment Group Inc.

New Media is focused primarily on investing in a high quality, diversified portfolio of local media assets, and on growing existing advertising and digital marketing businesses. The Company is one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States as measured by our 126 daily publications. As of April 30, 2015, the Company operates in over 460 markets across 32 states. New Media’s portfolio of products, as of April 30, 2015, include over 550 community publications and over 460 related websites, serve more than 200,000 business advertising accounts and reach over 19 million people on a weekly basis.

For more information regarding New Media and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.newmediainv.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company strongly urges stockholders and other interested persons not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business. In addition, because same store results, Adjusted EBITDA, As Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, these non-GAAP measures, as presented in this press release, may differ from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Same Store Results

Same store results, a non-GAAP financial measure, take into account material acquisitions and divestitures of the Company by adjusting prior year performance to include or exclude financial results as if the Company had owned or divested a business for the comparable period. The acquisition of each of Victorville, American Consolidated Media Southwest, Petersburg Progress-Index and Foster’s Daily Democrat is not considered material.

Adjusted EBITDA, As Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow

The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit), interest/financing expense, depreciation and amortization and non-cash impairments. The Company defines As Adjusted EBITDA as Adjusted EBITDA before transaction and project costs, non-cash items such as non-cash compensation, non-recurring integration and reorganization costs and Adjusted EBITDA from non-wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company defines free cash flow as As Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, cash taxes, interest paid and pension payments.

Management’s Use of Adjusted EBITDA, As Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow

Adjusted EBITDA, As Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to income from operations, net income (loss), cash flow from continuing operating activities or any other measure of performance or liquidity derived in accordance with GAAP. New Media’s management believes these non-GAAP measures, as defined above, are useful to investors for the following reasons:

• Evaluating performance and identifying trends in day-to-day performance because the items excluded have little or no significance on its day-to-day operations;
• Providing assessments of controllable expenses that afford management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieving optimal financial performance; and
• Indicators for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed.

Adjusted EBITDA, As Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow provide New Media with measures of financial performance, independent of items that are beyond the control of management in the short-term, such as depreciation and amortization, taxation and interest expense associated with its capital structure. These metrics measure New Media’s financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term, namely the cost structure or expenses of the organization. Adjusted EBITDA, As Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are some of the metrics used by senior management and the Board of Directors to review the financial performance of the business on a monthly basis. In addition, New Media’s management utilizes these metrics to evaluate the Company’s performance, along with other criteria, to determine the funds available for paying the quarterly dividend.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our focus on local news in smaller markets is leading to stabilization of our business, growing digital services business, revenues and pursuing and complete future acquisition opportunities in a timely manner and the benefits associated with such opportunities, and improving revenue trends driven by investments in digital and print initiatives. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, such as continued declines in advertising and circulation revenues, economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, competition from other media companies, the possibility of insufficient interest in our digital business, technological developments in the media sector, an ability to source acquisition opportunities with an attractive risk-adjusted return profile, inadequate diligence of acquisition targets, and difficulties integrating newly acquired businesses. These and other risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. The Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements, see the risks and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

NEW MEDIA INVESTMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
					March 29, 2015			December 28, 2014
					(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents				$	26,929		$	123,709
	Restricted cash					6,467			6,467
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,248
		and $3,462 at March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively				117,087			80,151
	Inventory					16,076			9,824
	Prepaid expenses					14,725			9,129
	Deferred income taxes					4,289			4,269
	Other current assets					11,740			10,632
			Total current assets			197,313			244,181
	Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $51,998
		and $40,172 at March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively				423,852			283,786
	Goodwill					175,290			134,042
	Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $11,507 and $7,709
		at March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively				346,837			156,742
	Deferred financing costs, net					3,451			3,252
	Other assets					3,242			3,092
			Total assets		$	1,149,985		$	825,095
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term liabilities				$	642		$	650
	Current portion of long-term debt					3,270			2,250
	Accounts payable					13,204			9,306
	Accrued expenses					69,565			47,061
	Deferred revenue					62,463			35,806
			Total current liabilities			149,144			95,073
Long-term liabilities:
	Long-term debt					359,463			219,802
	Long-term liabilities, less current portion					6,364			5,609
	Deferred income taxes					6,784			7,090
	Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations					13,050			13,394
			Total liabilities			534,805			340,968
Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000,000,000 shares authorized at
		March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014; 44,672,399 and 37,466,495 issued
		and outstanding at March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively				445			375
	Additional paid-in capital					621,246			484,220
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss					(4,446	)		(4,469	)
	(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings					(2,065	)		4,001
			Total stockholders' equity			615,180			484,127
				Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,149,985		$	825,095

NEW MEDIA INVESTMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
				Three months ended			Three months ended
				March 29, 2015			March 30, 2014
Revenues:
	Advertising			$	143,795		$	82,623
	Circulation				81,054			44,368
	Commercial printing and other				25,768			15,042
		Total revenues			250,617			142,033
Operating costs and expenses:
	Operating costs				140,712			84,855
	Selling, general, and administrative				89,130			50,016
	Depreciation and amortization				15,702			9,810
	Integration and reorganization costs				1,927			425
	Loss (gain) on sale of assets				545			(1	)
		Operating income (loss)			2,601			(3,072	)
Interest expense					6,775			3,806
Amortization of deferred financing costs					2,217			425
Other expense (income)					1			(26	)
		Loss from continuing operations
			before income taxes		(6,392	)		(7,277	)
Income tax benefit					(326	)		(586	)
		Net loss		$	(6,066	)	$	(6,691	)
Loss per share:
	Basic and diluted:
	Loss from continuing operations			$	(0.14	)	$	(0.22	)
	Net loss			$	(0.14	)	$	(0.22	)
Dividends declared per share				$	0.30		$	-
Basic weighted average shares outstanding					42,759,675			30,000,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding					42,759,675			30,000,000
Comprehensive loss				$	(6,043	)	$	(6,691	)

NEW MEDIA INVESTMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
						Three months ended			Three months ended
						March 29, 2015			March 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net loss					$	(6,066	)	$	(6,691	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
		provided by operating activities:
			Depreciation and amortization				15,702			9,810
			Amortization of deferred financing costs				159			425
			Gain on derivative instruments				-			(25	)
			Non-cash compensation expense				141			3
			Non-cash interest expense				559			40
			Deferred income taxes				(326	)		-
			Loss (gain) on sale of assets				545			(1	)
			Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations				(329	)		(313	)
			Changes in assets and liabilities:
				Accounts receivable, net			10,584			10,554
				Inventory			263			(354	)
				Prepaid expenses			(1,276	)		(231	)
				Other assets			(534	)		(764	)
				Accounts payable			(8,996	)		(2,437	)
				Accrued expenses			14,048			(9,326	)
				Deferred revenue			(83	)		713
				Other long-term liabilities			664			107
					Net cash provided by operating activities		25,055			1,510
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property, plant, and equipment						(1,692	)		(778	)
	Proceeds from sale of assets						-			141
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired						(378,534	)		(8,028	)
					Net cash used in investing activities		(380,226	)		(8,665	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payment of debt issuance costs						(374	)		(2,631	)
	Borrowings under term loans						98,685			-
	Borrowings under revolving credit facility						84,000			4,068
	Repayments under term loans						(563	)		(1,078	)
	Repayments under revolving credit facility						(60,000	)		(3,068	)
	Payment of offering costs						(884	)		-
	Issuance of common stock, net of underwriter's discount						150,866			-
	Payment of dividends						(13,339	)		-
					Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		258,391			(2,709	)
					Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(96,780	)		(9,864	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period							123,709			31,811
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period						$	26,929		$	21,947

NEW MEDIA INVESTMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
As Adjusted EBITDA
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
				Three months ended			Three months ended
				March 29, 2015			March 30, 2014
Loss from continuing operations				$	(6,066	)	$	(6,691	)
Income tax benefit					(326	)		(586	)
Gain on derivative instruments, included in Other
expense (income) (1)					-			(25	)
Amortization of deferred financing costs					2,217			425
Interest expense					6,775			3,806
Depreciation and amortization					15,702			9,810
	Adjusted EBITDA from
			continuing operations		18,302			6,739
Non-cash compensation and other expense					4,502			1,937
Integration and reorganization costs					1,927			425
Loss (gain) on sale of assets					545			(1	)
	As Adjusted EBITDA				25,276			9,100
Interest paid					(4,127	)		(3,754	)
Net capital expenditures					(1,692	)		(778	)
Pension payments in excess of pension expense					(329	)		(313	)
Free Cash Flow					19,128			4,255
			Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		42,759,675			30,000,000
			Free Cash Flow per share	$	0.45		$	0.14
(1		)	Non-cash loss on derivative instruments is related to interest rate swap agreements which are financing related and are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

NEW MEDIA INVESTMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Same Store Revenues
(In thousands)
		Three months ended		Three months ended
		March 29, 2015		March 30, 2014
Total revenues from continuing		$	250,617	$	142,033
	operations
Revenues adjustment for Providence
	Halifax and Stephens acquisitions		-		108,853
	Same Store Revenues	$	250,617	$	250,886