VisionChina Media Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results

BEIJING, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- VisionChina Media Inc. ("VisionChina Media" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: VISN), one of China's largest out-of-home digital television advertising networks on mass transportation systems, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

    Third Quarter 2009 Highlights
    -- Total revenues in the third quarter of 2009 remained stable at
       $30.8 million, unchanged from the second quarter of 2009.
    -- Gross profit in the third quarter of 2009 was $15.4 million,
       representing a decrease of 6.3% from $16.4 million in the second
       quarter of 2009.
    -- Operating profit in the third quarter of 2009 was $7.3 million,
       representing a slight decrease of 0.7% from $7.4 million in the second
       quarter of 2009.
    -- Net income attributable to VisionChina Media's shareholders in the
       third quarter of 2009 was $7.2 million, representing a slight increase
       of 1.6% from $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2009.
    -- The Company's third quarter 2009 net income attributable to VisionChina
       Media's shareholders, excluding share-based compensation expenses and
       amortization of intangible assets (non-GAAP), was $9.1 million,
       exceeding Company guidance.
    -- Basic and diluted net income per share (each ADS represents one common
       share) in the third quarter of 2009 were both $0.10, unchanged from
       $0.10 for both in the second quarter of 2009.
    -- Net cash generated from operating activities totaled $8.1 million in
       the third quarter of 2009. The Company had cash and cash equivalents of
       $112.7 million as of September 30, 2009.
    -- The Company's advertising network covered 18 cities as of September 30,
       2009 and 19 cities as of October 1, 2009.
    -- Network capacity, as measured by total broadcasting hours, reached
       34,778 hours in the third quarter of 2009, compared to 31,834 hours in
       the third quarter of 2008 and 34,399 hours in the second quarter of
       2009.
    -- As of September 30, 2009, the Company's advertising network included
       84,560 digital displays on buses, subway trains and platforms as well
       as other platforms, compared to 82,349 digital displays at the end of
       the second quarter of 2009.
    -- In the third quarter of 2009, the Company sold a total of 238,484
       advertising minutes in its advertising network compared to 220,063
       minutes in the second quarter of 2009.
    -- The Company sold an average of 6.86 advertising minutes per
       broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2009, compared to 9.33
       minutes per broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2008 and 6.40
       minutes per broadcasting hour in the second quarter of 2009.
    -- Average advertising service revenues per broadcasting hour were $845 in
       the third quarter of 2009 compared to $1,116 per broadcasting hour in
       the third quarter of 2008, and $865 per broadcasting hour in the second
       quarter of 2009.

Mr. Limin Li, VisionChina Media's chairman and chief executive officer said, "In what remained a challenging sales environment in the third quarter, we were pleased to see our net revenues remain strong at $30.8 million and net income increase to $7.2 million. While the advertising market remains uncertain in the near term, we are starting to see promising signs of recovery and remain optimistic about the future. Our third quarter results show that we have been able to mitigate the negative effects of a competitive sales environment and have been able to stabilize our performance relative to competition."

Mr. Li continued, "Recently, we have taken great strides in execution of our corporate strategy with the announcement of our impending acquisition of Digital Media Group (DMG), the addition of Xiamen to our bus network, the three-year renewal of our bus and ferry network in Hangzhou as well as the addition of Metro Line No. 5 to our existing subway network in Guangzhou. These steps firmly establish VisionChina as the market share leader in the outdoor mobile television and advertising industry in China and position us well to benefit as the industry and the overall advertising market gain strength and momentum in the coming quarters and years."

Mr. Scott Chen, VisionChina Media's chief financial officer, added, "While advertising spending remained cautious in the third quarter, we believe the recent acceleration in GDP growth in China is a strong positive for our industry. According to our sales force, preliminary discussions with clients regarding 2010 are progressing well and have provided indication of increased demand for next year. To meet this demand effectively, we have proactively taken steps to strengthen our position versus our competitors. Although industry competition will continue to make 2009 a challenging year, we believe that our recent strategic initiatives greatly enhance the value of our bus and subway networks for our advertisers. We are confident that VisionChina Media is well positioned in our competitive landscape to capitalize on future industry growth and from upcoming events such as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 16th Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou at the end of 2010."

Third Quarter 2009 Results

VisionChina Media's total revenues were $30.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 14.3% compared to $35.9 million in the third quarter of 2008 and unchanged from $30.8 million in the second quarter of 2009. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to the relatively stronger performance of the Company during the Beijing Olympics in the third quarter of 2008 compared with a markedly different sales environment in 2009.

Total broadcasting hours reached 34,778 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 31,834 in the third quarter of 2008 and 34,399 in the second quarter of 2009. Average advertising revenues per broadcasting hour were $845 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $1,116 in the third quarter of 2008 and $865 in the second quarter of 2009. The Company sold an average of 6.86 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 9.33 minutes per broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2008 and 6.40 minutes per broadcasting hour in the second quarter of 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company sold a total of 238,484 advertising minutes in its advertising network compared to 297,135 minutes in the third quarter of 2008 and 220,063 minutes in the second quarter of 2009. During the third quarter of 2009, 334 advertisers purchased advertising time on the Company's advertising network either directly or through advertising agents compared to 274 advertisers in the second quarter of 2009.

Media cost, the most significant component of the Company's advertising service cost of revenues, was $12.6 million in the third quarter of 2009, representing 81.8% of total advertising service costs, compared to $8.5 million, representing 72.9% of total advertising service costs in the third quarter of 2008, and $11.7 million, representing 81.4% of total advertising service costs in the second quarter of 2009. The increase in media cost from the second quarter of 2009 was due to an anticipated increase in certain concession contract costs and an increase in purchasing advertising time on behalf of our advertisers in certain non-exclusive cities during the quarter.

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2009 was $15.4 million, representing a decrease of 36.4% from $24.2 million in the third quarter of 2008, and a decrease of 6.3% from $16.4 million in the second quarter of 2009. Advertising service gross margin was 49.9% in the third quarter of 2009, compared to 67.4% in the third quarter of 2008 and 53.3% in the second quarter of 2009. The year-over-year decrease in gross margin was primarily due to an increase in fixed media costs from the Company's expansion of its network across new cities and media platforms over the year as well as a comparison to the Company's relatively stronger performance during the Beijing Olympics in the third quarter of 2008. The slight quarter-over-quarter decrease in gross margin was a result of an increase in media costs.

Selling and marketing expenses were $6.4 million in the third quarter of 2009, representing an increase of 18.9% compared to $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2008, and a decrease of 5% compared to $6.7 million in the second quarter of 2009. Selling and marketing expenses represented 20.6% of the Company's advertising service revenues in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 21.7% in the second quarter of 2009. We attribute the slight decrease in sales and marketing expenses compared to the second quarter of 2009 to the implementation of cost control measures.

General and administrative expenses were $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2009, representing an increase of 8.5% compared to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2008, and a decrease of 22.8% compared to $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2009. We attribute the quarter-over-quarter decrease in general and administrative expenses to the implementation of cost control measures.

Losses from equity method investments related to the Company's nine joint ventures amounted to $0.32 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a loss of $0.04 million in the third quarter of 2008, and a loss of $0.23 million in the second quarter of 2009.

Operating profit was $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 57.8% from $17.3 million in the third quarter of 2008, and a slight decrease of 0.7% from $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2009. We attribute the quarter-over-quarter decrease in operating profit primarily to the increase in the cost of revenues in the third quarter of 2009, which was greater than the Company's decrease in operating expenses during the quarter.

In the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a tax expense of $0.52 million representing an effective tax rate of 6.7%.

Net income attributable to VisionChina Media's shareholders was $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 60.2% from $18.1 million in the third quarter of 2008, and an increase of 1.6% from $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2009. Basic and diluted net income per share for the third quarter of 2009 were both $0.10. The Company's third quarter 2009 net income attributable to VisionChina Media's shareholders, excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets (non-GAAP), was $9.1 million.

The total number of cities covered by VisionChina Media's advertising network stood at 18 as of September 30, 2009. The company added the city of Xiamen to its exclusive network on October 1, 2009.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company's network had grown to include 84,560 total digital displays on buses, subway trains and platforms as well as other platforms, compared to 62,250 digital displays at the end of the third quarter of 2008 and 82,349 at the end of the second quarter of 2009.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had 535 employees, compared to 524 employees as of June 30, 2009. Of the Company's total employees as of September 30, 2009, 346 employees were sales and marketing personnel, compared to 337 as of June 30, 2009.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $112.7 million compared to $108.4 million as of June 30, 2009.

Other Recent Developments

On October 15, 2009, the Company announced an agreement to acquire Digital Media Group ("DMG"), a leader in China's subway mobile television advertising market. The transaction will create the largest and most comprehensive mobile television advertising network in China, furthering VisionChina Media's goal to become the foremost digital television platform reaching daytime audiences in China. The total consideration for the transaction is $160 million in cash and shares payable by the Company to eligible shareholders of DMG in three installments over two years including the first installment of $100 million payable at the closing of the transaction. Two subsequent installments of $30 million each will be paid on the first and second anniversaries, respectively, of the closing of the transaction. Of the initial $100 million, $40 million will be paid in cash and $60 million will be paid in shares.

Upon closing, the combined company will operate bus networks in 19 of China's most affluent cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The combined company will also have exclusive subway networks in eight key cities in China, including all four of China's "Tier I" cities, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai, as well as on Hong Kong's Airport Express line. The combined company will cover 22 cities and provide a strong platform for the long-term development of the nationwide digital mobile television industry in China.

On October 16, 2009, the Company announced that it had signed an exclusive agreement expanding its network coverage to include Xiamen, a city of 2.5 million residents that is designated as one of China's few special economic zones. This exclusive agreement, which has a term of 39 months, became effective on October 1, 2009, and grants VisionChina Media the right to sell a minimum of 100 advertising minutes per day to non-Xiamen-based national advertisers during 18 hours of daily programming supplied by Xiamen TV Digital Media Co. Ltd. The Xiamen network features 1,800 screens and a fleet of over 1,100 buses. According to the Xiamen Bureau of Statistics, in 2008 Xiamen had a total GDP of RMB156 billion, or approximately $22.8 billion.

On October 19, 2009, the Company announced the renewal and extension of its exclusive contract with Hangzhou New & Mobile Media to continue operation of the Company's mobile digital television advertising network on buses and ferries in Hangzhou, the capital city of China's Zhejiang province. The new three-year contract will commence on January 1, 2010 and grants VisionChina Media the exclusive right to operate mobile television advertising on all public buses and ferries covered by the mobile television network operated by Hangzhou New & Mobile Media. The Hangzhou network currently features 3,425 buses and 101 ferries reaching approximately 3 million viewers each day.

On October 22, 2009, the Company announced that it had signed a 16-month contract with Guangzhou Metro TV Media Company ("GMTM") to add the new Metro Line No. 5 to the Company's existing subway network in the city of Guangzhou upon the opening of that line on January 1, 2009. Metro Line No. 5 will serve as a main artery and operate through the downtown area of Guangzhou. Including the new line, the Guangzhou subway system will feature a network of five lines covering 150 kilometers of track accessed via 91 subway stations. The addition of Line No. 5 to the Company's existing subway network in Guangzhou is an important step in the Company's strategic expansion plan. In 2010, Guangzhou will host the 16th Asian Games. This major sporting event is expected to attract millions of visitors of all nationalities and the Company is well positioned to explore the advertising opportunities presented by the event. Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong province, has over 10 million residents. Seventy-five percent of subway platforms and stations are located in major business centers and densely populated areas of the city. According to official national statistical data, Guangzhou's GDP reached RMB821.6 billion in 2008 and ranked third among all cities in China.

Business Outlook

The Company reiterates the full-year guidance provided with its second quarter results and expects total revenues to range from $121 million to $124 million. The Company expects net income attributable to VisionChina Media's shareholders for the full year of 2009, excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets (non-GAAP), to be between $31.0 million and $33.0 million.

The Company bases these estimates on a foreign exchange rate of RMB6.840 per US$1.00.

The Company noted that its guidance is based on its current network of 19 cities that, as of the release date, have already been secured by contract. If and when more cities or lines are added, management's forecast will be impacted.

Conference Call

VisionChina's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on October 29, 2009 (8:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on October 30, 2009).

    Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

    U.S. Toll Free:           +1-866-543-6411
    Hong Kong:                +852-3002-1672
    International:            +1-617-213-8900
    Passcode for all regions: VisionChina Earnings Call

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until November 28, 2009.

    U.S. Toll Free: +1-888-286-8010
    International:  +1-617-801-6888
    Passcode:       40714904

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of VisionChina Media's website at http://www.visionchina.cn .

About VisionChina Media Inc.

VisionChina Media Inc. (Nasdaq: VISN) operates an out-of-home advertising network on mass transportation systems, including buses and subways that reaches over 40 million viewers each day in China, according to CTR Market Research. As of September 30, 2009, VisionChina Media's advertising network included 84,560 digital television displays on mass transportation systems in 18 of China's economically prosperous cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. On October 1, 2009, the Company added the city of Xiamen to its exclusive advertising network. VisionChina Media has the ability to deliver real-time, location-specific broadcasting, including news, stock quotes, weather and traffic reports and other entertainment programming. For more information, please visit http://www.visionchina.cn .

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to VisionChina Media's consolidated financial results under GAAP, the Company also provides non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP net income, excluding non-cash share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets. The company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with another method of assessing VisionChina Media's operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of its ongoing operations. Readers are cautioned not to view non-GAAP results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under GAAP, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the performance of VisionChina Media's liquidity and when planning and forecasting future periods.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China:
    VisionChina Media Inc.
     Mrs. Helen Plummer
     Investor Relations Officer
     Tel:   +86-139-1167-2124
     Email: helen.plummer@visionchina.cn

    Ogilvy Financial, Beijing
     Mr. Derek Mitchell
     Tel:   +86-10-8520-6284
     Email: derek.mitchell@ogilvy.com

    In the United States:
    Ogilvy Financial, New York
     Ms. Jessica Barist Cohen
     Tel:   +1-646-460-9989
     Email: jessica.cohen@ogilvypr.com



                              VISIONCHINA MEDIA INC.
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (Amounts in U.S. dollars)

                                       September 30,   June 30,   December 31,
                                            2009         2009         2008
    ASSETS                               (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   (Note 1)
    Current Assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents           112,655,218  108,423,533  163,248,286
    Accounts receivable, net             45,898,745   42,339,324   38,296,590
    Amounts due from related parties      4,796,170    5,360,175    5,225,564
    Prepaid expenses and other
     current assets                      11,772,361   12,755,064    9,431,279
    Deferred tax assets                     152,675      131,464      273,325
    Total current assets                175,275,169  169,009,560  216,475,044
    Non-current Assets:
    Fixed assets, net                     9,445,797    9,992,372   10,205,784
    Investments under equity method       6,765,512    7,073,617    7,686,065
    Other investments                     2,660,034    2,268,619    2,276,034
    Long-term prepayments and deposits   22,605,286   22,478,630   21,888,068
    Intangible assets                    11,929,289   12,607,368   14,034,343
    Goodwill                             56,998,947   56,938,990   21,074,229
    Total non-current assets            110,404,865  111,359,596   77,164,523
    TOTAL ASSETS                        285,680,034  280,369,156  293,639,567

    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
    Accounts payable                      1,921,132    1,797,645    1,237,262
    Amounts due to related parties          712,774      917,542      786,284
    Consideration payable                        --    2,998,639   30,734,610
    Income tax payable                    1,512,307      981,573       39,209
    Accrued expenses and other
     current liabilities                  7,270,756    8,082,401    9,507,341
    Total current liabilities            11,416,969   14,777,800   42,304,706
    Non-current Liabilities:
    Consideration payable                 5,188,296    5,182,838    2,776,173
    Deferred tax liabilities              2,606,638    2,707,447    2,924,073
    Total non-current liabilities         7,794,934    7,890,285    5,700,246
    Total liabilities                    19,211,903   22,668,085   48,004,952

    Equity:
    Common shares                             7,181        7,155        7,182
    Additional paid-in capital          191,036,920  189,687,145  190,694,719
    Accumulated profits                  64,480,405   57,294,128   43,509,296
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                              10,479,315   10,224,042   10,862,017
    Total VisionChina Media Inc.
     shareholders' equity               266,003,821  257,212,470  245,073,214
    Non-controlling interest                464,310      488,601      561,401
    Total equity                        266,468,131  257,701,071  245,634,615
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        285,680,034  280,369,156  293,639,567

    Note 1: Information extracted from the audited financial statements
            included in the 2008 Form 20-F of the Company filed with the
            Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2009.



                              VISIONCHINA MEDIA INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        (Amounts in thousand U.S. Dollars,
                    except number of shares and per share data)

                                                 For three months ended

                                          September 30,  June 30, September 30,
                                               2009        2009        2008
                                           (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
    Revenues:
    Advertising service revenue                30,785      30,806      35,871
    Advertising equipment revenue                  --          --          38
    Total revenues                             30,785      30,806      35,909
    Cost of revenues:
    Advertising service cost                  -15,416     -14,401     -11,703
    Advertising equipment cost                     --          --         -34
    Total cost of revenues                    -15,416     -14,401     -11,737
    Gross profit                               15,369      16,405      24,172
    Operating expenses:
    Selling and marketing                      -6,356      -6,692      -5,345
    General and administrative                 -1,646      -2,131      -1,517
    Total operating expenses                   -8,002      -8,823      -6,862
    Government grant                              245          --          --
    Loss from equity method investees            -315        -230         -38
    Operating profit                            7,297       7,352      17,272
    Interest income                               380         343         826
    Other expenses                                 --         -3          -20
    Net income before income taxes              7,677       7,692      18,078
    Income tax expenses                          -515        -640         -29
    Net income                                  7,162       7,052      18,049
    Net loss attributable to
     non-controlling interest                      24          24          25
    Net income attributable to VisionChina
     Media Inc. shareholders                    7,186       7,076      18,074

    Net income attributable to VisionChina
     Media Inc. shareholders per share:
    Basic                                        0.10        0.10        0.26
    Diluted                                      0.10        0.10        0.25

    Shares used in computation of net
     income attributable to VisionChina
     Media Inc. shareholders per share:
    Basic                                  71,603,160  71,468,554  70,873,656
    Diluted                                72,487,904  72,383,487  73,292,630

    Share-based compensation expenses
     during the related periods included in:
    Cost of revenues                              -13          -7         -10
    Selling and marketing expenses             -1,015        -988        -337
    General and administrative expenses          -160        -129         -67
    Total                                      -1,188      -1,124        -414

    Reconciliation from GAAP net income
     attributable to VisionChina Media
     Inc. shareholders to Adjusted Non-
     GAAP net income attributable to
     VisionChina Media Inc. shareholders:
    Net income attributable to VisionChina
     Media Inc. shareholders (GAAP)             7,186       7,076      18,074
    Add back share-based compensation
     expenses during the related periods        1,188       1,124         414
    Add back intangible assets
     amortization expenses during the
     related periods                              691         689         634
    Net income attributable to VisionChina
     Media Inc. shareholders (Non-GAAP)         9,065       8,889      19,122

SOURCE VisionChina Media Inc.