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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

     
(Mark One)
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
 
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
 
or
 
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
 
    For the transition period from           to

Commission file number: 0-19598


infoUSA INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  47-0751545
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

5711 South 86th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68127

(Address of principal executive offices)

(402) 593-4500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.0025 par value

Series A Preferred Share Purchase Rights
9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008


      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 þ          No o

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes þ          No o

      The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates as of March 5, 2003 computed by reference to the last reported sales price of the common stock on June 30, 2003 was $161,086,312.

      As of March 10, 2004 the registrant had outstanding 52,385,792 shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares of 503,351).

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      Portions of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of fiscal year 2003, are incorporated into Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) hereof by reference.




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Item 1. Business
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securityholders
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedure
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Subsidiaries and State of Incorporation
Consent of Independent Accountants
Power of Attorney
Certification of CEO & CFO Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of CEO & CFO Pursuant to Section 906


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PART I

      This Annual Report on Form 10-K, the documents incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders, and press releases (as well as oral statements and other written statements made or to be made by the Company) contain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to potential future acquisitions and our strategy and plans for our business contained in Item 1 “Business,” Item 2 “Properties,” Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and other parts of this Annual Report. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by our management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth in this Annual Report under “Factors That May Affect Operating Results,” as well as those noted in the documents incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 
Item 1. Business

Company Profile

      infoUSA Inc. (the “Company” or “infoUSA”) compiles and updates one of the most accurate and comprehensive proprietary database of 14 million businesses in the United States and Canada and over 200 million individuals in the United States and Canada compiled and updated under one roof in Omaha, Nebraska. These databases are compiled from thousands of public sources. We believe our databases are the most content rich in the industry. In order to improve the quality of our databases, we make over 22 million phone calls per year to gather additional content and verify existing information. We maintain a staff of approximately 500 full-time employees in Omaha to manage the database. The data content changes by nearly 70 percent every year, which includes change of address, phone number, SIC code, employee size, owners names, executive names and other data within a record. Customers return to us to purchase updated information for sales prospecting. Recurring revenue is a major component of our revenue and accounts for approximately two-thirds of our annual sales.

      More than 4 million customers have used our information in the form of sales leads, prospect lists, mailing labels, printed directories, 3 x 5 cards, computer diskettes, business credit reports, DVDs and on the Internet. Our information is used by businesses for sales leads, mailing lists, credit decisions, market research, competitive analysis and managing vendor relationships. Sales people and small business owners use our information for new prospects, due diligence and other day-to-day information purposes. During 2003, the Company enhanced its presence in e-mail marketing, e-mail customer retention and e-mail customer acquisition services with the purchase of DoubleClick’s email deployment business, ClickAction, Yesmail and Markado. The Company also continued to consolidate the printed and online directory industry with its acquisition of Hill-Donnelly and City Publishing directory companies. infoUSA is the industry’s leading provider of both business and consumer information

Business Strategy

      There are approximately 14 million businesses in the United States and Canada. All of these businesses are looking for cost effective solutions to find new customers and increase their sales, especially during the slow economy.

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      Our goal is to be the leader in proprietary databases of businesses and consumers in the United States and Canada, and to produce innovative products and services that meet the needs of these businesses for finding new prospects and increasing their sales. The information provided by our databases is integral to the new customer acquisition process for businesses. Our organization is divided into three distinct groups: Database Compilation and Update Group, The infoUSA group (formerly known as Small & Medium Business Group) and The Donnelley Group (formerly known as The Large Business Customer Group). Additionally, we utilize the Internet for distribution of our proprietary content and business credit reports. Delivery of information via the Internet is the preferred method by our customers. We are investing in Internet technology to make our information more valuable to our customers.

Database Compilation and Update Group

      We believe that we have the most comprehensive and up-to-date databases of 14 million businesses, 200 million consumers, 17 million annual new movers, 3 million annual new households, 24 million households and businesses that have filed bankruptcies, tax liens or judgments, and 50 thousand new businesses each week. Our information databases are created with thousands of sources and hundreds of proprietary processes developed over the last 85 years. We employ nearly 500 people within our Database Group, and spend over $50 million annually to create, maintain, enhance and deliver our databases.

BUSINESS DATABASES

      Our proprietary business database contains information on nearly 14 million businesses in the United States and Canada. We believe that we compile the most accurate, timely and comprehensive file of business information through our proprietary compilation and verification processes. The business database contains a wealth of information about businesses such as: name, address, phone number, SIC codes, number of employees, business owner and key executive names, credit score and sales volume. We also provide fax and toll free numbers, website addresses, headline news, and public filings including liens, judgments and bankruptcies. Our data can also be further categorized in various segments such as Small Business Owners, Executives at Home, Big Businesses and their Corporate Affiliations, Growing Businesses, Places of Interest, Schools and Female Business Owners.

Sources

      We compile and update the business information from over 15,000 sources. These sources include:

•  Yellow Page Directories
•  SEC Filings
•  White Page Directories
•  Telephone Surveys
•  Public Filings
•  Annual Reports
•  Utility Connects and Disconnects

      In addition, we use information licensed from the United States Postal Service’s National Change of Address (NCOA) and Delivery Sequence File (DSF) to update and maintain our business database. Accuracy is the most important characteristic of any database and our database is approximately 92% accurate at any given time. This is the highest degree of accuracy in the industry.

 
Other Specialized Databases

      900,000 World’s Largest Corporations and 2 Million Executives by Job Title. Our idEXEC database of these large corporations and executives is the finest in the industry. This database provides a great deal of in-depth information on these individuals and companies, including revenue, asset and corporate linkage.

      200,000 New Businesses Data Per Month. Our New Business Database contains the repository of newly opened businesses. This database is updated from new business listings and utility new connections and is updated with nearly 50,000 new businesses on a weekly basis.

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      Doctors and Dentists Data. Our Medical file contains a very robust database of over 600,000 physicians, surgeons and dentists and contains in-depth information regarding physician specialties, prescription volume, medical schools attended, lifestyle information and many other related data elements.

CONSUMER DATABASES

      Our consumer database contains approximately 200 million individuals and 110 million households and includes hundreds of data elements. Key elements in our database include: name, address, phone number, age, income, marital status, religion, ethnicity, dwelling type and size, home value, length of residence, and dozens of self-reported lifestyle elements.

Sources

      We compile and update the consumer database with over 2 billion records annually. Examples of the sources that are used to create the database are:

•  White Page Directories
•  Utility Connects and Disconnects
•  Real Estate Assessments
•  Real Estate Transactions
•  Public Filings
•  Voter Registration
•  Self-Reported Surveys

      We believe that our consumer data is compiled to the highest accuracy standards in the industry. Additional investment in acquiring and compiling real estate transfer and assessor data has allowed us to improve our coverage and key demographic models.

 
Specialty Consumer Databases

      New Mover and New Homeowner Database. We believe that our New Mover and New Homeowner database is the most current file in the industry. We compile approximately 17 million new movers and over 3 million new homeowners annually. Our investment in nationwide utility new connects and disconnects has allowed us to identify new movers and new homeowners as they transact.

      Occupant Database. Our Occupant Database includes 123 million residential addresses and is used for address only mailings, which result in lower postal rates for direct mail.

      Public Filings Database. Our Public Filings Database contains over 24 million households and businesses that have filed for bankruptcy, or have tax liens or judgments recorded against them.

      Email Database. In 2003 we continued to collect and acquire business and consumer email addresses. We now offer a database of over 50 million consumer and 1.5 million business email addresses with postal addresses that are available for email marketing and email append applications. We have matched the email addresses to our demographic and firmographic information in our proprietary databases for targeted email marketing campaigns.

Products and Services Derived from the Database

      We create many products and services from our database to meet the needs of millions of potential customers. We create products and services such as prospect lists, mailing labels, 3 x 5 cards, diskettes, printed directories, DVDs, business credit reports, and many other products and services. We also offer our information on the Internet through our various websites, such as infoUSA.com, BusinessCreditUSA.com, CityDirectory.com, Drlists.com, referenceUSA.com, newleadsUSA.com, idEXEC.com and autolistsUSA.com. Our products and data processing services are used by clients for identifying and qualifying prospective customers, initiating direct mail and email campaigns, telemarketing, analyzing and assessing market potential, and surveying competitive markets in order to find new customers and increase their sales. Our data also enables extensive data hygiene and enhancement services and is included by many customers as a value-added enhancement to our flagship MarketZone product line. MarketZone Platinum is a fully hosted data warehousing solution including hygiene, updates, matching, campaign management, selection, reporting, and analytics for direct mail and email campaign development and execution. Market Zone Gold is a web-based

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prospecting tool allowing customers to integrate their customer and prospect data with InfoUSA data in a hosted environment. We are organized around two main customer groups: The infoUSA Group (formerly known as the Small & Medium Business Group) and larger customers through The Donnelley Group (formerly known as The Large Business Group). Our products and services are designed for the unique needs of each group.

Our Customers and Potential Markets

InfoUSA Group (formerly the Small & Medium Business Group)

      Approximately 90% of all businesses are small companies with less than 25 employees. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. We dedicated this division to meet the unique sales and marketing needs of small- and medium-sized businesses, including small office and home office businesses, and aspiring entrepreneurs. This market holds about 4 million potential prospects for infoUSA. Our products and services are used to find new customers, analyze current customers, research new markets and verify business information. Our database changes by nearly 70% annually. As a result, our customers have a great need for current information on an ongoing basis. Our Small &

      Medium Business Group offers sales leads and mailing lists in the following formats:

        Sales Leads on the Internet. Our customers can buy all of our databases on the Internet at infoUSA.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our site allows businesses to search our database by any number of variables, retrieve a count of the number of businesses in a particular market, or obtain a credit report on a particular company.
 
        Printed Prospect Lists, Mailing Labels, and Sales Lead Cards. The Company’s database can be “sliced and diced” to create customized sales lead and mailing lists for our customers. Our small business consultants work with a business to select the right criteria such as geography, type of business and size of business to generate the most revenue. The custom list can then be delivered in printed format, put on mailing labels or provided on 3 x 5 index cards.
 
        Diskette/ CD/ DVD Products. Many businesses prefer the flexibility of getting their list electronically so they can import the data into any software application. Customers have the flexibility of ordering their list on disk, DVD, CD, or downloading it from an FTP site.
 
        Directories and DVD Products — Printed Directories, CD-ROM, DVD and Internet access. The Company offers a variety of titles: US Business Directory, State Business Directories, Big Business Directory, Manufacturers Directory, 575,000 Physicians and Surgeons, Households USA, and Entrepreneurs Directory. Each printed directory is bundled with a CD-ROM or DVD and allows for access to the information on the Internet, for one low monthly subscription price. Our customers use the directories for lead generation, telemarketing and reference purposes.
 
        Business Credit Directories and Reports. Our business credit directories include a printed directory bundled with a CD-ROM or DVD and access to Business Credit Reports on BusinessCreditUSA.com. The product is used by customers for making credit decisions, verifying company information, assisting in collection support, and identifying potential new customers. Customers can purchase individual business credit reports for $5 from the Internet or they may select a subscription based plan offering unlimited access to its Business Credit reports for a flat fee of $50 per month per person.
 
        Polk Directories. Since 1870, The Polk City Directory® has been the trusted brand for providing residential, demographic, and business data information to small and medium businesses across the United States. Annually, over 900 versions of the directory are produced and delivered in hard cover book and CD-ROM format. Sales of these products are generated from approximately 200 field sales representatives, over 30 telemarketing sales representatives, and on-going direct mail programs. Polk Directories’ 110,000 customers cover a wide range of industries including service, financial, and retail businesses.

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  •  The Polk City Directory® consists of seven directories in one, designed to help businesses save time by planning sales calls efficiently, saving money by reducing undeliverable mail, and increasing sales by identifying prospects.
 
  •  InfoTYME®, our CD-ROM version of The Polk City Directory®, allows the customer to quickly search and select prospects, download prospect records into other applications for lead generation programs, and produce labels for telemarketing or direct mail campaigns.

        infoUSA acquired Polk Directories in the fourth quarter of 2001. Polk Directories provides us with another major channel for the sales and distribution of related infoUSA directory and list services products. We plan to offer Internet access and more directories in more cities to our subscribers.
 
        Hill-Donnelly Criss-Cross Directories. During 2002, infoUSA acquired Hill-Donnelly, the nation’s original publisher of Cross-Reference Directories. Hill-Donnelly, founded in 1917, offers Cross-Reference Directories in over 300 metro markets totaling more than 40 million listings. Cross-Reference Directories may be searched by telephone number or by street address (e.g. cross-reference directories).
 
        Small Office/ Home Office Products Division: The Company’s CD-ROM/ DVD division includes popular business and consumer titlesSalesLeads USA. In addition to being sold directly as subscription products through direct mail, print advertising and direct response television, a retail version of the product is also available at major retail outlets in North America, including Staples, CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics, Micro Center and Best Buy. Consumers and small business owners’ use these products to develop targeted direct mail campaigns, prospect for new customers, conduct market research, search for jobs and for general reference purposes. The retail product comes in the form of a DVD or CD-ROM and is currently priced between $149-$169 (dependent on the retailer).

      The retail channel is an excellent vehicle to build subscription sales of infoUSA products. The retail strategy is to encourage a one-time purchase that leads to an up sell of an annual subscription resulting in a recurring revenue stream at $25 per month. It is also an excellent way to cross-sell the many other products and services infoUSA offers.

      Sales GenieTM. In 2003, infoUSA developed and introduced Sales GenieTM, a revolutionary new vehicle for the generation of sales leads for small businesses. Packaged with infoUSA’s business and residential databases and business credit products, along with a computer, printer and labels, Sales GenieTM is a one stop solution for all their sales prospecting needs. This complete marketing and sales leads solution includes all the tools needed to help a business find new prospects and grow sales despite slow economy.

  •  Gateway® or Dell® PC with flat-panel monitor, printer, and one box of mailing labels
 
  •  Free demo, set-up and monthly consultative visit
 
  •  State Business Printed Directory and DVD
 
  •  State Residential Directory on DVD
 
  •  State Business Credit Printed Directory and unlimited access to Business Credit Report
 
  •  Access to Customer Analyzer® software
 
  •  City Business Directory (only for the seven metro areas that have Contacts Influential Directory)
 
  •  Four updates of data on DVD per year — every 3 months
 
  •  Access to internet for monthly database updates
 
  •  Unlimited viewing of data
 
  •  30,000 sales leads per year
 
  •  Price of only $250 per month

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      Sales GenieTM had a soft launch in 2003 and exceeded our expectations. We plan to increase our effort in launching this service nationwide.

Donnelley Group

      Our Donnelley Group (formerly the large business group), as we now refer to the Group that serves our largest clients, is comprised of Donnelley Marketing, Catalog VisionTM, Walter Karl, Yesmail, idEXEC and the infoUSA Database Licensing Group.

      Donnelley Marketing is one of the nation’s leading direct marketing solution providers, targeting large size firms where quality data and customer service is needed for their complete solution. Our mission is to help businesses find new customers, grow their sales, reduce selling costs and become more profitable. Donnelley’s reputation has been built by delivering consistent results to clients for over 85 years.

      Donnelley Marketing serves a variety of industries including traditional direct marketers, packaged goods, retailers, financial institutions, telecommunications, utilities, technology, fund raising, automotive and catalog companies. Our goal in 2003 was to continue to increase client access to our databases and data processing services while reducing turnaround time and lowering costs. Both MarketZone Platinum and infoConnectTM ONE PASS, which was introduced in 2002, have been very successful for us. infoConnectTM ONE PASS is an Internet driven software that performs data cleansing and enhancement services online. In the past, customers sent their tapes to us and we would match those tapes against our databases and send them back to the customers in days or weeks. Now, they can do it online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Not only does it save our customers money, but also our fulfillment costs are lower.

      infoConnectTM ONE PASS provides online, real-time data enhancement and file cleansing access to the following databases:

  •  220 Million National Consumer Database — the industry’s largest and most comprehensive consumer database.
 
  •  14 Million National Business Database — the world’s finest business content.
 
  •  15 Million National Privacy Database — provides marketers with the ability to eliminate people who will not respond to their offer.
 
  •  All Major USPS Data Hygiene Databases — Donnelley Marketing licenses all five of the major United State Postal Service data hygiene databases.

     

  •  infoConnect Privacy Protector — allows customers to process their files with the various do not call (DNC) lists, including the Federal Trade Commission, state attorney general offices, Direct Marketing Association and other do not call databases.

      Our newly positioned database marketing product MarketZone Platinum is, a closed loop, Internet-enabled, fully relational database tool for decision support, campaign management and execution system, was introduced to provided our clients the ability to expertly manage their customer relationships. This new product is an e-CRM (customer relationship management) solution that integrates the entire suite of Donnelley Marketing products to create real-time customer content integration.

      CatalogVisionTM, a division of Donnelley Marketing, has been specializing in the catalog marketing industry for over 30 years serving both business-to-business and consumer direct marketers. CatalogVisionTM clients maximize the return on their promotion dollars through use of our information and processing services. Address integrity and merge/purge toolsets eliminate wasted mailings and optimize postal discounts. Relational marketing database systems enable multichannel contact management and personalization.

      Walter Karl, a division of Donnelley Group, provides list brokerage, list management services and an array of database services to a broad range of direct marketing clients. Walter Karl also specializes in email list management and brokerage services for on-line marketers. Our specialized list management services provide a

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strong revenue base for our customers. In addition, we have our list brokerage business, which recommends and sells specialty lists to a wide range of businesses in many industries.

      The infoUSA Database Licensing Group continued its strategy of working with customers for whom data remains the core foundation of their product or service. The strength of our customers’ products is predicated on the accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of the data that drives it. Our distribution channel of value added resellers and original equipment manufacturers understand that the success and profitability of their service is largely dependent on the integration of infoUSA’s best-in-breed business and consumer information.

      In 2003 the Database Licensing Group also focused itself on maintaining and expanding its relationships with some of the most prominent companies in America. Furthermore, we increased our market share in Directory Assistance, Risk Management, and Navigation spaces.

      Also of note in 2003 was the continued success of the Database Licensing Group in the Vehicular Navigation System market. infoUSA has relationships with the OEM providers of navigation systems for select General Motors, Lexus, Mercedes, and Acura vehicles, among others, for access to on-demand point-of-interest (POI) information. The leaders of this market all rely on infoUSA to provide the highest quality POI and emergency services information. When a driver of one of these vehicles searches for a gas station, restaurant, or other service, infoUSA data powers the response.

      infoUSA’s databases impact every aspect of our customer’s business. From enterprise partnerships to direct consumer access, infoUSA provides a quality foundation to our partner’s database applications.

      During 2003, infoUSA acquired Yesmail. We have combined Yesmail and ClickAction, a 2002 acquisition, into a single business unit that specializes in providing customer retention solutions for direct marketers, publishers and organizations that want to grow their customer database, develop personalized relationships with these customers and execute more effective email marketing campaigns. Yesmail provides email marketing solutions to their clients that deliver high returns on investment and strong overall results.

Computer Operations and Database Protection

      The Company currently operates a primary data center located in Carter Lake, Iowa and two interdependent data centers located in Papillion, Nebraska and Ralston, Nebraska. Together, these three sites host the core products that are offered by infoUSA. The Company also contracts all mainframe data processing functions through (i)Structure, a subsidiary of Level3, headquartered and hosted in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company’s Greenwich, Connecticut data center was decommissioned in 2003 following a highly successful migration of processing to our upgraded Carter Lake facility.

      Business continuity is assured through our use of the enhanced Carter Lake facility and the remaining Papillion and Ralston data center locations along with our partnered mainframe processor, (i)Structure. With minimal effort, the Company will be able to reestablish administrative functions, sales and marketing operations, data delivery and limited product order fulfillment at any combination of the unaffected data center locations.

      The Carter Lake data center hosts our sales order entry systems, contact management system, Internet website systems, electronic data delivery systems, company enterprise systems (e.g. email, file/print servers) accounting systems, business and consumer order fulfillment systems, and a full range of servers hosting customer marketing and prospecting databases.

  •  Sales Order Entry and accounting systems run on an IBM AS/400 and (2) SUN servers. An additional SUN server provides contact management services for the Company.
 
  •  The Internet websites reside on several SUN and DELL servers.
 
  •  SUN servers provide electronic data delivery services for the Company.
 
  •  DELL servers drive the Company’s Enterprise systems.
 
  •  An IBM AS/400, and a myriad of DELL and SUN servers provide order fulfillment services.

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  •  Various high-end printers, CDROM, magnetic tape, and diskette devices are used to produce product for our customers.
 
  •  Several SUN servers, DEC Alpha servers, DELL servers, and a large PC/ LAN Network support the customer database solutions (migrated from Greenwich.)
 
  •  A dry chemical fire suppression system, redundant uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), a diesel generator and redundant air-conditioning units protect the Carter Lake data center. Critical data is backed up daily and stored off-site. This facility is staffed by 40 systems administration, production, operations, and shipping professionals.
 
  •  This center is also the central node for the Local and Wide Area Network connectivity for desktop computers and application servers.
 
  •  A Nortel Option 11C PBX provides facility telephone services.
 
  •  Voice and Data communications survivability have been enhanced by the utilization of the Qwest Self Healing Network Service between the core sites.
 
  •  WAN connectivity is achieved through 9 Meg of X.25 FRAME service.
 
  •  Data connectivity is facilitated through an ATM OC3 pipe integrated into our OC48
 
  •  Self Healing Network between the Carter Lake — Papillion — Ralston — facilities and the Omaha (i)Structure facility.
 
  •  Internet access is established through Tier 1 services of AT&T and Qwest at 25 Megs each.

      The Carter Lake facility also supports the Donnelley Marketing Group’s receipt of customer files and the creation of customer output. Customer data files are centrally received at Carter Lake, converted, uploaded and staged for further processing. When processing is complete, files are returned electronically, or via an electronic media created and shipped by Carter Lake staff.

      Donnelley Marketing is engaged in a computer services agreement with (i)Structure to outsource all of its mainframe processing. (i)Structure provides Donnelley a secure processing environment and state-of-the-art facilities infrastructure with a dedicated mainframe, disk storage, and a combination of virtual, silo, and manual tape. (i)Structure is considered one of the premier mainframe outsourcers in the industry. They focus heavily on providing superior customer service and maintaining a high level of security. Some mainframe hardware is located at the Carter Lake Data Center to support customer file processing. This equipment is connected to (i)Structure via multiple high speed DS3 data circuits employing CNT (channel extender technology). Heavy emphasis is placed on quick turnaround, while maintaining a high level of quality control, to ensure that customer needs are met.

      Our Papillion and Ralston Data Centers contain the data compilation systems, enterprise support systems, and software development platforms.

  •  The business database compilation process operates on an IBM AS/400 in conjunction with several SUN servers to support the DAVOX predictive dialing program.
 
  •  Software development and testing is done on a mixture of other IBM AS/400s and SUN servers.
 
  •  The consumer database compilation process utilizes several DELL servers
 
  •  Several DELL servers provide Enterprise systems.
 
  •  Network services to desktop computers and terminals and other data centers are supported in this center.
 
  •  This data center houses a Nortel Option 81C PBX with dial tone services provided by MCI and Qwest across the Self Healing Network.

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  •  A dry chemical fire suppression system, UPS, and a diesel generator insure protected operations at the Papillion center. Critical data is backed up daily and stored off-site. This facility is staffed with a team of over 80 Information Technology professionals.
 
  •  Our Ralston data center hosts file and print servers.
 
  •  The Ralston data center is protected by a dry chemical fire suppression system and a UPS system. Critical data is backed up daily and stored off-site.
 
  •  The Ralston data center houses a Nortel Option 81C PBX for telephone and ACD Sales call center services within the facility. MCI and Qwest provide primary long distance and local dial tone service over the Self Healing Network.

Competition

      The business and consumer marketing information industry is highly competitive. We believe that the ability to provide proprietary consumer and business databases along with data processing and database marketing services is a key competitive advantage. A number of competitors are active in specific aspects of our business. In the business sales lead products and credit report market, we face competition primarily from D & B (e.g. Dun & Bradstreet). In consumer databases, we compete primarily with Acxiom, Experian, Equifax and Harte-Hanks Data Technologies, both directly and through reseller networks.

Employees

      As of December 31, 2003, we employed approximately 2,400 people on a full-time basis. None of our employees is represented by a labor union or is the subject of a collective bargaining agreement. We have never experienced a work stoppage and believe that our employee relations are good.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

      The current executive officers of the Company are as follows:

             
Name Age Position



Vinod Gupta
    57     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Raj Das
    33     Chief Financial Officer
Tim Hoffman
    38     Chief Accounting Officer
Fred Vakili
    50     Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Administrative Officer
Ray Butkus
    52     President, Donnelley Group
D. Joseph Thayer
    37     President, InfoUSA Group
Monica Messer
    41     Chief Operations Officer, Database Compilation and Technology Group and Chief Information Officer
Edward C. Mallin
    54     President, Walter Karl

      Vinod Gupta is the founder of the Company and has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since its incorporation in 1972. Mr. Gupta served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from the time of its incorporation in 1972 until September 1997 and since August 1998. Mr. Gupta holds a B.S. in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, and an M.S. in Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Nebraska. Mr. Gupta also was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nebraska. He was appointed by President Clinton to serve as a Trustee on the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

      Raj Das has served as Chief Financial Officer since September 2003. Over the last ten years, Mr. Das worked in investment banking, most recently as a Vice President for Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., from

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April 2002 to August 2003, specializing in merger and acquisition and private equity transactions in the technology and media sectors. Prior to that, Mr. Das was a Vice President in the Technology Investment Banking Group at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. from August 2000 to October 2001, where he focused primarily on wireless and enterprise software, services, and infrastructure companies. Prior to that, Mr. Das was a Vice President in the Information and Internet Services Group at ING Barings LLC from February 1998 to August 2000, where he focused on advertising agencies, transaction processors, IT outsourcers, and Internet and marketing services providers. Prior to that, Mr. Das served as an Associate in the Investment Banking Department at Brenner Securities Corporation from June 1996 to February 1998 and as an Analyst in the M&A Department at Smith Barney Inc. from June 1993 to June 1995. In these capacities, he has originated and executed a wide range of financing, restructuring, and M&A transactions. From June 1995 to June 1996, Mr. Das worked as an Analyst in the Corporate Strategic Planning department at PepsiCo, Inc. Mr. Das is a summa cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

      Timothy F. Hoffman has served as Chief Accounting Officer of infoUSA since August 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Hoffman served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Donnelley Marketing (a subsidiary of infoUSA) from March 2001 to July 2003. He has also served as Vice President of Finance from August 2000 to February 2001 and as Director of Accounting and SEC Reporting from January 1996 to July 2000. Mr. Hoffman served as an audit manager for FirsTier Financial Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska from November 1993 to December 1996 and worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen in Omaha, Nebraska from December 1988 to October 1993. Mr. Hoffman holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska — Lincoln, and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive registrant) in the state of Nebraska.

      Fred Vakili has served as Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Administrative Officer since August 1998. Mr. Vakili served as Senior Vice President of Special Projects from October 1997 to August 1998, as Senior Vice President of Value Added-Resellers Group and Canada Operations from May 1987 to October 1997, and as Senior Vice President of various Company divisions from 1985 to 1987. Mr. Vakili joined the Company in 1985 as the Product Manager for the Directory Group. Mr. Vakili holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management from Iowa State University.

      Ray Butkus has served as President of Donnelley Marketing since December 2002. Mr. Butkus previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Naviant Marketing Solutions from early 1999 until the successful merger of the Company with Naviant Markets Group in late 2001. Mr. Butkus was the Vice President and General Manager for IntelliQuest’s IQ2 Net division from January 1998 through August 1999. Mr. Butkus was President and Chief Operating Officer of GEN Logistics Systems, a start-up Cyberspace venture providing information services to the transportation industry, from 1996 to 1997. Mr. Butkus worked for AT&T from 1976 to 1996, most recently as Sales Vice President, where he was responsible for a 700 person sales force and $650 million in annual revenues. Mr. Butkus holds a B.S. in Business Management from Providence College. Mr. Butkus also holds a MBA from the University of Puget Sound and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

      D. Joseph Thayer has served as President of the InfoUSA Group since May 1999, as Senior Vice President of the infoUSA Vertical Markets Group from October 1997 to May 1999, and as a Vice President and General Manager since joining the Company in 1993. Prior to that, Mr. Thayer worked as a manager for US West, Inc., and as a legislative aide handling foreign trade and agricultural issues in the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Thayer holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Auburn University.

      Monica Messer has served as President of the Database Compilation and Technology Group and Chief Information Officer of the Company since February 1997, and served as a Senior Vice President of the Company from January 1996 to January 1997. Ms. Messer joined the Company in 1983 and has served as a Vice President of the Company since 1985. Ms. Messer holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Bellevue University.

      Edward C. Mallin has served as President of Walter Karl since June 1998, as Executive Vice President of the National Accounts Division from January 1997 to June 1998 and as President of Compilers Plus from

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January 1990 to May 1998. Prior to that, Mr. Mallin was Executive Vice President of Compilers Plus which the Company acquired in January 1990. Mr. Mallin holds a B.A. in History from the University of Bridgeport and an M.A. in Business Administration from New York University.

Website Information

      The Company has a website at www.infousa.com. Contents of the website are not part of, or incorporated by this reference, into this Annual Report.

      Since November 15, 2002, the Company has made available on its website all annual and quarterly reports, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has filed such material with, or furnished it to, the SEC.

 
Item 2. Properties

      Our headquarters are located in a 148,000 square foot facility in Omaha, Nebraska, where we perform sales and administrative activities. Order fulfillment, shipping, and data center operations are conducted at our 30,000 square foot Carter Lake, Iowa facility, which is located 15 miles from our headquarters. Administration and management are also located in a 24,000 square foot facility in Omaha, Nebraska, which is adjacent to our sales and administration facility. Data compilation, telephone verification, data and product development, and information technology services are conducted at our 130,000 square foot Papillion, Nebraska facility which is located about 5 miles from our headquarters. Donnelley Marketing catalog sales operations are performed in a 40,000 square foot location in Marshfield, Wisconsin. We own these facilities, as well as adjacent land at certain locations for possible future expansion.

      In October 2003, the lease associated with the 69,000 square foot Donnelley Marketing facility in Greenwich, Connecticut expired. The data center operations from this facility migrated to our existing Carter Lake, Iowa facility.

      The sales and operations functions from the Greenwich, Connecticut facility was distributed to existing locations and a new leased facility in White Plains, New York. Donnelley Marketing also leases a 60,000 square foot facility in Ames, Iowa, which houses consumer database and client services operations. We also lease sales office space at approximately 50 different locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, the aggregate rental obligations of which are not significant.

 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings

      During 2003, the Company settled legal issues totaling $1.7 million in connection with the settlement of contractual disputes. There are no material pending legal or governmental proceedings involving the Company, other than ordinary routine litigation, incidental to the business of the Company.

 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securityholders

      No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

PART II

 
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

      Our Common Stock, $0.0025 par value, is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “IUSA.”

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      The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for our Common Stock during each quarter of 2003 and 2002.

COMMON STOCK

                   
High Low


2003
               
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 8.76     $ 7.41  
 
Third Quarter
  $ 9.88     $ 7.23  
 
Second Quarter
  $ 8.15     $ 4.87  
 
First Quarter
  $ 5.07     $ 4.10  
2002
               
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 5.14     $ 2.86  
 
Third Quarter
  $ 5.96     $ 3.92  
 
Second Quarter
  $ 8.20     $ 5.47  
 
First Quarter
  $ 8.60     $ 6.55  

      On March 10, 2004, the last reported sale price in the NASDAQ National Market System for our Common Stock was $10.14 per share. As of March 10, 2004, there were 128 stockholders of record of the Common Stock, and an estimated additional 3,300 stockholders who held beneficial interests in shares of Common Stock registered in nominee names of banks and brokerage houses.

      We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business and, therefore, do not anticipate paying cash dividends within the foreseeable future. Any future payment of dividends will be determined by our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Existing credit agreements restrict the payment of dividends or other distributions with respect to our Common Stock.

      The information required by this section concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is set forth in or incorporated by reference into Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report.

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Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

      The following selected consolidated financial data as of the end of, and for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2003 are derived from the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The Company has made several acquisitions since 1999 that would affect the comparability of historical data. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

                                             
Year Ended December 31,

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999





(In thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Net sales
  $ 311,345     $ 302,516     $ 288,738     $ 305,668     $ 265,853  
Costs and expenses:
                                       
 
Database and production costs
    87,074       84,710       80,880       101,831       78,644  
 
Selling, general and administrative
    144,068       131,985       112,402       149,721       108,435  
 
Depreciation of operating assets
    14,573       14,773       17,873       20,005       12,872  
 
Amortization of intangible assets(1)
    13,276       13,310       30,254       32,190       22,061  
 
Impairment of assets(2)
                      2,135       5,599  
 
Acquisition costs(3)
    57       181       493       2,287       4,166  
 
Non-cash stock compensation
    219       52       448       3,113        
 
Restructuring charges(4)
    1,861       2,531       4,899       5,800        
 
Provision for litigation settlement(5)
    1,667       417       1,104              
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total costs and expenses
    262,795       247,959       248,353       317,082       231,777  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
    48,550       54,557       40,385       (11,414 )     34,076  
Other income (expense):
                                       
 
Investment income
    1,149       179       953       1,250       14,196  
 
Interest expense
    (11,547 )     (16,059 )     (25,285 )     (26,651 )     (18,579 )
 
Minority interest income
                282       6,294        
 
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock(6)
                      14,634       8,886  
 
Other charges(7)
    (6,385 )     (5,528 )                 128  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    31,767       33,149       16,335       (15,887 )     38,707  
Income tax expense
    12,072       12,713       11,371       1,320       14,047  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    19,695       20,436       4,964       (17,207 )     24,660  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(8)
                      (4,160 )     (1,474 )
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax(9)
                      (10,266 )      
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964     $ (31,633 )   $ 23,186  
     
     
     
     
     
 

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Year Ended December 31,

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999





(In thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
  $ 0.38     $ 0.43     $ 0.10     $ (0.34 )   $ 0.51  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
  $ 0.38     $ 0.43     $ 0.10     $ (0.34 )   $ 0.51  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.38     $ 0.40     $ 0.10     $ (0.63 )   $ 0.48  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.38     $ 0.40     $ 0.10     $ (0.63 )   $ 0.48  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    51,576       51,170       50,651       50,304       48,470  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    51,714       51,193       50,651       50,304       48,613  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Other Data:
                                       
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as adjusted(10)
  $ 76,618     $ 82,692     $ 88,960     $ 46,029     $ 74,608  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Cash Flow Data:
                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 56,564     $ 53,202     $ 54,549     $ 36,151     $ 30,995  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (14,991 )     (14,749 )     (32,028 )     (29,491 )     (200,071 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net cash from (used in) financing activities
    (45,172 )     (36,550 )     (39,832 )     4,187       150,319  
     
     
     
     
     
 
                                         
December 31,

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999





Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Working capital (deficit)
  $ (13,065 )   $ (13,290 )   $ (3,670 )   $ 19,943     $ 40,899  
Total assets
    366,346       393,386       419,088       463,545       473,344  
Long-term debt, including current portion
    139,765       190,428       225,670       258,652       277,522  
Stockholders’ equity
    146,221       118,328       95,797       90,970       110,811  


  (1)  Effective July 1, 2001, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” As required by SFAS 142, goodwill amortization was not recorded on new acquisitions after July 1, 2001 for fiscal year 2001 and no goodwill amortization was recorded during 2003 and 2002, respectively.
 
  (2)  During 2000, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $2.1 million for certain capitalized software development costs, fixed assets related to the abandoned infoPIX business photograph project, as well as a cost for a proposed public offering and leasehold improvement costs of infoUSA.com, a subsidiary of the Company.

  During 1999, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.9 million on the Company’s existing consumer database due to the acquisition of Donnelley Marketing and an impairment loss of $1.7 million on leasehold improvements and in-process construction projects due to the move of the Company’s data processing operations from Montvale, New York to Greenwich, Connecticut.

  (3)  Includes the following acquisition costs: 1) $57 thousand in 2003 for various acquisitions, including Clickaction, Yesmail and Markado 2) $0.2 million related to various acquisitions made during 2002, 3) $0.5 million in 2001 for the acquisition of Polk City Directories from Equifax, Inc., 4) $1.8 million in 2000 for the attempted acquisition of the consumer database division of R.L. Polk and $0.5 million

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  related to the acquisitions of idEXEC, American Church Lists and Getko Direct Response, 5) $4.2 million in 1999 associated with the acquisition and integration of Donnelley Marketing. These costs are not direct costs of acquisition and therefore cannot be capitalized as part of the purchase price. Rather, these are general and administrative costs incurred in connection with the integration of these businesses.
 
  (4)  During 2003, the Company recorded restructuring charges for severance costs of $1.9 million for 140 employees terminated during the year. During 2002, the Company recorded restructuring charges for severance costs of $2.5 million for 230 employees terminated during the year. During 2001, the Company recorded the following restructuring charges: 1) $2.1 million of severance costs for the termination of 265 employees, and 2) estimated lease termination costs of $2.8 million associated with the infoUSA.com Foster City, California location. During 2000, the Company recorded the following restructuring charges: 1) $2.1 million of severance costs for 350 employees terminated during December 2000, and 2) estimated lease termination costs of $3.7 million associated with the infoUSA.com Foster City, California location.
 
  (5)  During 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company settled legal issues totaling $1.7 million, $0.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in connection with the settlement of various contractual disputes.
 
  (6)  During 2000 and 1999, infoUSA.com, completed its first and second rounds of venture capital financing. As a result of the issuance of common stock of this subsidiary, the Company recorded gains of $14.6 million and $8.9 million, respectively.
 
  (7)  During 2003, the Company recorded other charges totaling $6.4 million for: 1) $1.6 million for non-amortized debt issue costs and a $3.2 million premium to purchase $67 million of the Company’s 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes, 2) $0.8 million in bank fees to amend and restate the Senior Secured Credit Facility and $0.8 million in non-amortized costs associated with the previous credit facility. During 2002, the Company recorded other charges totaling $5.5 million for: 1) a loss of $2.8 million for the net unamortized debt issue costs related to the Deutsche Bank credit facility, 2) a loss of $1.1 million for another-than-temporary decline in the value of a nonmarketable equity investment, 3) a loss of $1.2 million for the reclassification of an interest rate swap agreement due to the refinancing of the Company’s senior debt credit facility during the year, and 4) a loss related to the Company’s repurchase of $9.0 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. As part of the repurchases, the Company recorded a loss totaling $0.4 million for net unamortized debt issue costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes and for amounts paid in excess of carrying value of the debt. During 1999, the Company repurchased $9.0 million of its Senior Subordinated Notes. As part of the repurchase, the Company recorded a net gain of $0.1 million.
 
  (8)  During December 2000, the Company discontinued the operations of its VideoYellowPages.com Internet unit and recorded a loss of $4.2 million, net of tax. The loss is comprised of two components: 1) the loss of its results of operations of $3.4 million, net of tax for the full fiscal year, and 2) charges totaling $0.8 million, net of tax, for asset impairments. The loss from this discontinued operation for 1999 was 1.5 million, net of tax.
 
  (9)  During 2000, the Company changed its revenue recognition method for data licensing revenue. Effective January 1, 2000, the Company began to recognize revenue on data license arrangements on a straight-line basis. This change in method was made because a growing proportion of such license revenue is from long-term and continuous access agreements. The Company believes the newly adopted method of accounting better reflects the service commitment inherent in its various license agreements. The cumulative effect of the change in method of $10.3 million is net of income tax benefit of $3.5 million. Assuming the above described revenue recognition policy had been implemented on January 1, 1999,

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  pro forma consolidated net sales, net income from continuing operations and net income from continuing operations per share would have been as follows:
         
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1999

Net sales
  $ 261,466  
Net income from continuing operations
  $ 21,812  
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.45  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.45  

(10)  “EBITDA”, as adjusted, is defined as net income adjusted to exclude interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-cash or non-operating items such as non-cash impairment of assets, non-operating other charges (gains), investment income, minority interest, changes in accounting principles, discontinued operations, subsidiary stock gains and non-cash stock compensation expenses. EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted measure of performance that eliminates the effects of a variety of methods used for depreciation and amortization that have changed over time. However, EBITDA does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities as reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows, is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Also, the measure of EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.

      The following provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA, as adjusted:

                                           
Year Ended December 31,

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999





Net income (loss)
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964     $ (31,633 )   $ 23,186  
 
Other charges
    6,385       5,528                   (128 )
 
Minority interest
                (282 )     (6,294 )      
 
Cumulative change in accounting principle, net
                      10,266        
 
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock
                      (14,634 )     (8,886 )
 
Discontinued operations
                      4,160       1,474  
 
Investment income
    (1,149 )     (179 )     (953 )     (1,250 )     (14,196 )
 
Interest expense
    11,547       16,059       25,285       26,651       18,579  
 
Income taxes
    12,072       12,713       11,371       1,320       14,047  
 
Depreciation of operating assets
    14,573       14,773       17,873       20,005       12,872  
 
Amortization of intangible assets
    13,276       13,310       30,254       32,190       22,061  
 
Impairment of assets
                      2,135       5,599  
 
Non-cash stock compensation expense
    219       52       448       3,113        
     
     
     
     
     
 
EBITDA, as adjusted
  $ 76,618     $ 82,692     $ 88,960     $ 46,029     $ 74,608  
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

 
Products and Services

      infoUSA is a leading provider of business and consumer information, data processing, and database marketing services. The Company’s key assets include proprietary databases of 14 million businesses in the United States and Canada and 200 million individuals and 110 million households in the United States. We believe our proprietary content is the most comprehensive and accurate data available. We leverage these key assets by selling through multiple distribution channels to over 4 million customers that include small and medium-sized businesses, Fortune 1000 companies, consumers, and Internet users.

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Sales Overview

      Our revenue has historically been derived predominantly through the sale of customized sales lead generation products. We have successfully capitalized on new markets and applications for our proprietary databases, as our Company expanded product and service offerings. We began to recognize significant revenue from data processing services in 1997, following the acquisition of Database America and continued expanding our data processing revenue with the acquisition of Donnelley Marketing in July of 1999. The acquisition of Donnelley Marketing enhanced our proprietary consumer database and database marketing services. The merger made us the only company in our industry to offer proprietary business and consumer data, data processing, and database marketing services and gave us the ability to offer complete solutions and fulfill substantially all the database, data processing, and database marketing needs of our Fortune 1000 customers. Walter Karl and JAMI Marketing were acquired in 1998 providing the Company’s direct entry into the complimentary sales list brokerage and list management industries. The Company has recognized strong Internet license revenue and Internet content sales since 1999 and believes there is significant opportunity to expand the market for our products and services over the Internet. The Company acquired Polk City Directories in 2001 and Hill-Donnelly and City Publishing in 2002, expanding the Company’s presence in the published directories markets, specifically the criss-cross reference directory market. Finally, the Company’s acquisitions of ClickAction, Yesmail and Markado during 2002 and 2003 provided the entrance to yet another complimentary sales market offering e-mail customer acquisition and customer retention solutions. We estimate that no customer represented greater than approximately 5% of our net sales in 2003.

 
Financial Performance

      Net sales of the Company for 2003 were $311.5 million, up 3% from $302.5 million for 2002. The results were promising, as net sales of the Donnelley group segment were up 6% over 2002 and net sales of the infoUSA group segment, excluding Polk City Directories, were up 7% over 2002. Operating income for 2003 was $48.6 million, down from $54.6 million for 2002, as the Company made extensive investments in increased sales staff, advertising and marketing to grow revenue internally. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), as adjusted, margins were down from 27% in 2002 to 25% in 2003 for the reasons previously described. Company management utilizes the non-GAAP financial disclosure of EBITDA, as adjusted, as a key financial measure in the analysis of its financial performance, as it does with similar GAAP financial measures including operating income and cash flows from operations. The Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for financial covenants that are based on EBITDA, as adjusted. Additionally, the Company has historically had a significant amount of recorded goodwill and purchased intangibles resulting from the acquisition of other companies, and the amount of non-cash amortization expense associated with these acquisitions has varied significantly between reporting periods. The Company’s calculation of EBITDA, as adjusted, is defined by footnote in the accompanying financial data tables.

      During 2001 and 2002, the Donnelley Group experienced softer customer demand due to the macroeconomic downturn that began in late 2000 and as a result of events surrounding September 11. As a result, some of its Fortune 1000 customers were impacted by budgetary constraints, forced to postpone capital spending decisions, reduced spending on direct marketing, and in certain cases, the customers brought much of the direct marketing function in-house. The Database Licensing Group was also impacted by the slow economy and by many of the Internet companies which licensed data but subsequently went out of business. Accordingly, the Donnelley Group reduced its operating cost structure and is well positioned to continue to focus on expense control and profitable revenue growth through the development and introduction of innovative new products. These new products include the recently introduced infoConnectTM ONE PASS that provides for automated data enhancement and file cleansing services, and MarketZone DS, a premier e-CRM solution that integrates the entire suite of Donnelley products to create a real-time customer content integration and decision support tool. Recent additions to the Donnelley Marketing management team will bring a fresh approach to selling a complete package of data and data processing services to its customers, creating a value model that positions Donnelley Marketing for profitable revenue growth.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

      The Company has supplemented its internal growth through strategic acquisitions. The Company has completed over 20 acquisitions since 1996. The Company has increased its presence in the consumer marketing information industry, greatly increased its ability to provide data processing solutions, increased its presence in list management and list brokerage services and broadened it offerings for e-mail and business marketing information. During 2002 and 2003, the Company enhanced its presence in e-mail marketing services and solutions with the acquisition of DoubleClick’s email deployment business, ClickAction, Yesmail and Markado. The Company also continued to consolidate the printed and online directory industry with its acquisition of Polk City Directories in 2001 and the Hill-Donnelly and City Publishing directory companies during 2002.

      The Company has systematically integrated the operations of the acquired companies into existing operations of the Company. In most cases, the results of operations for these acquired activities are no longer separately accounted for from existing activities. The Company cannot report the results of the operations of acquired companies upon completion of the integration as the results are “commingled” with existing results. Additionally, upon integration of the acquired operations, the Company frequently combines acquired products or features with existing products, and experiences significant cross selling of products between business units, including sales of acquired products by existing business units and sales by acquired business units of existing products. Due to recent and potential future acquisitions, future results of operations will not be comparable to historical data.

 
Summary of Acquisitions

      Through acquisitions, the Company has increased its presence in the consumer marketing information industry, greatly increased its ability to provide data processing and e-mail marketing solutions, added to its consumer CD-ROM/ DVD product lines, increased its presence in list management and list brokerage services and broadened its offerings of business and consumer marketing information. The following table summarizes the more significant acquisitions:

                                 
Principal Transaction
Acquired Company Key Asset Business Segment Type of Acquisition Date Acquired Value






(In millions)(1)
Digital Directory Assistance
  Consumer CD-Rom Products     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     August 1996     $ 17  
County Data Corporation
  New Businesses Database     infoUSA group     Pooling-of-interests     November 1996     $ 11  
Marketing Data Systems
  Data Processing Services     Donnelley group     Asset purchase     November 1996     $ 3  
BJ Hunter
  Canadian Business Database     infoUSA group     Stock purchase     December 1996     $ 3  
Database America Companies
  Consumer Database and Data Processing Services     Donnelley group     Stock purchase     February 1997     $ 105  
Pro CD
  Consumer CD-Rom Products     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     August 1997     $ 18  
Walter Karl
  Data Processing and List Management Services     Donnelley group     Stock purchase     March 1998     $ 19  
JAMI Marketing
  List Management Services     Donnelley group     Asset purchase     June 1998     $ 13  
Contacts Target Marketing
  Canadian Business Database     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     July 1998     $ 1  
Donnelley Marketing
  Consumer Database and Data Processing Services     Donnelley group     Stock purchase     July 1999     $ 200  
American Church Lists
  Religious Institution Database     infoUSA group     Stock purchase     March 2000     $ 2  
IdEXEC
  Executives Database     Donnelley group     Asset purchase     May 2000     $ 7  
Getko Direct Response
  Canadian Consumer Database and Data Processing Services     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     May 2000     $ 2  
InfoUSA.com minority interest
  Internet license and products     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     August 2001     $ 25  
Polk City Directories
  Business Directories Products     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     October 2001     $ 6  
DoubleClick e-mail list business
  e-mail list business     Donnelley group     Asset purchase     March 2002     $ 2  

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Principal Transaction
Acquired Company Key Asset Business Segment Type of Acquisition Date Acquired Value






(In millions)(1)
Hill Donnelly
  Business Directories Products     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     June 2002     $ 2  
City Publishing
  Business Directories Products E-mail solutions provider     infoUSA group     Asset purchase     September 2002     $ 2  
ClickAction
  and e-mail list business     Donnelley group     Stock purchase     December 2002     $ 4  
Yesmail
  E-mail solutions provider and e-mail list business     Donnelley group     Stock purchase     March 2003     $ 4  
Markado
  E-mail solutions provider and e-mail list business     Donnelley group     Asset purchase     September 2003     $ 1  


(1)  Transaction value includes total consideration paid including cash paid, debt and stock issued plus long-term debt repaid or assumed at the date of acquisition plus, in the case of DBA, a subsequent purchase price adjustment in October 1997.

      As part of these strategic acquisitions, the Company has incurred various acquisition-related charges to integrate operations, consisting of: 1) $57 thousand in 2003 related to the Yesmail and Markado acquisitions, 2) $0.2 million in 2002 in connection with several acquisitions, 3) $0.5 million in 2001 in connection with the acquisition of Polk City Directories, 4) $2.3 million in 2000 for the attempted acquisition of the consumer database division of R.L. Polk and the acquisitions of idEXEC, American Church Lists and Getko Direct Response, 5) $9.8 million in 1999 in connection with the acquisition of Donnelley Marketing.

      In February 2004, infoUSA acquired Triplex Direct Marketing Corp. The total purchase price was $7.6 million, of which, $6.1 million was payable in cash at closing and the remaining $1.5 million will be payable on the one year anniversary of the closing of the transaction if Triplex satisfies all its representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements. Triplex is a data processing service provider in the direct marketing industry that specializes in the nonprofit and catalog industries.

      While there are currently no binding commitments with respect to any particular future acquisitions, the Company frequently evaluates the strategic opportunities available and intends to pursue strategic acquisitions of complementary products, technologies or businesses that it believes fit its business strategy. In connection with future acquisitions, the Company expects that it will be required to incur additional acquisition-related charges to operations.

      Associated with the acquisitions previously described, the Company recorded amortization expense on goodwill and other purchased intangibles as summarized in the following table (amounts in thousands):

         
Fiscal Year Amount


1999
    22,061  
2000
    32,190  
2001
    30,254  
2002
    13,310  
2003
    13,276  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

      Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Of those policies, we have identified the following to be the most critical because they are the most important to our portrayal of our results of operations and financial condition and they require subjective or complex management judgments:

  •  Revenue recognition and related estimates of valuation allowances for doubtful accounts, sales returns and other allowances;
 
  •  Database acquisition, development and maintenance expenses; and
 
  •  Valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill.

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      Revenue recognition. Revenue from the sale of prospect lists (paper form or electronic), mailing labels, published directories, other sales lead products and DVD and CD information products are recognized upon shipment. These product sales are typically evidenced by a written purchase order or by credit card authorization. Terms and conditions for retail channel sales of DVD and CD information products include rights of return. Accordingly, we estimate and record an allowance for product returns and reduce the amount of recognized revenue by anticipated product returns. The estimate of the product returns is made by giving consideration to the historical trends in sales and product returns, estimates of product inventory currently in the channel of distribution, and the timing and release of new product versions.

      Data processing and e-mail customer retention solution revenues are billed on a time and materials basis, with the recognition of revenue occurring as the services are rendered to the customer.

      Revenue from the licensing of our data to third parties is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement, when we commit to provide the customer either continuous data access (i.e., “24/7” access via the Internet) or updates of data files over a period of time. Licenses are evidenced by written contracts. We adopted this policy in 2000 because we believe this method better reflects the service commitment inherent in the licensing agreements in light of a growing proportion of such long-term and continuous access agreements. We also license data to customers with no such commitments. In those cases, we recognize revenue when the data is shipped to the customer, provided all the revenue recognition criteria have been met.

      We assess collectibility of revenues and our allowance for doubtful accounts based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the customer and the credit-worthiness of the customer. We do not request collateral from our customers. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established to record our trade accounts receivable at estimated net realizable value. If we determine that collection of revenues are not reasonably assured at or prior to the delivery of our products, we recognize revenue upon the receipt of cash. Cash-basis revenue recognition periodically occurs in those cases where we sell or license our information products to a poorly capitalized company, such as an Internet startup company. However, sales recognized on this basis are not a significant portion of our total revenues.

      Database Costs. The Company’s database and production costs are generally charged to expense as incurred and relate principally to maintaining, verifying and updating its databases, fulfilling customer orders and the production of DVD/ CD titles. Costs to develop new databases are capitalized by the Company and amortized upon the successful completion of the databases, over a period ranging from one to five years. Our cost of maintaining the Company’s consumer and business databases does not necessarily vary directly with revenues since a significant portion of the cost is the maintenance and verification of our existing data. Consequently, operating income may vary significantly with changes in revenue from period-to-period, as our ability to adjust certain elements of our cost structure is limited in the short-run.

      Because we expense the costs of maintaining and verifying the Company’s existing database, our balance sheet does not include an asset for the value of our database. We believe that our databases of consumer and business information are valuable intellectual property assets. Our success in marketing our products and services depends, in large part, on our ability to maintain an accurate and reliable database of business and consumer information.

      Valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company assessed the impairment of identifiable intangibles, long-lived assets and related goodwill and enterprise level goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considered important which could trigger an impairment review included the following:

  •  Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results,
 
  •  Significant changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business,
 
  •  Significant negative industry or economic trends,

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  •  Significant decline in our stock price, and
 
  •  Our market capitalization relative to net book value.

      When we determine that the carrying value of intangibles, long-lived assets and related goodwill and enterprise level goodwill may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we measure impairment based on estimated fair value of the assets. Net intangible assets, long-lived assets, and goodwill amounted to $247.6 million as of December 31, 2003.

      The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 142 (“SFAS 142”), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” effective January 1, 2002. Therefore, the Company ceased to recognize annual amortization of approximately $16.5 million of goodwill effective January 1, 2002, that was amortized during 2001. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company performed an initial impairment test of goodwill and concluded no impairment existed at January 1, 2002. In addition, the Company completed an impairment test as of October 31, 2003 and determined that no impairment existed.

      The following accounting policies are also viewed by Company management as significant in the review and analysis of the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

      Related party transactions. As discussed in Note 12 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the Company paid $2.2 million during 2003 to Annapurna Corporation, which is 100% owned by Mr. Gupta, who is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, for use of NetJets aircraft for infoUSA management and employee travel expenses. The charges by Annapurna Corporation to the Company are comparable or less than charged by other services such as Marquis, and without any commitment by the Company. The expenses are authorized by the Company’s management and board of directors to support activities related to customer relationship, business development, new acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. Arrangements between the Company and Annapurna Corporation are subject to periodic review by the Company’s management and board of directors.

      Income Taxes. Accounting for income taxes requires significant judgments in the development of estimates used in income tax calculations. Such judgments include, but would not be limited to, the likelihood the Company would realize the benefits of net operating loss carryforwards, the adequacy of valuation allowances, and the rates used to measure transactions with foreign subsidiaries. As part of the process of preparing the Company’s financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The judgments and estimates used are subject to challenge by domestic and foreign taxing authorities. It is possible that either domestic or foreign taxing authorities could challenge those judgments and estimates and draw conclusions that would cause the Company to incur tax liabilities in excess of those currently recorded. Changes in the geographical mix or estimated amount of annual pretax income could impact the Company’s overall effective tax rate.

      To the extent recovery of deferred tax assets is not likely based on estimation of future taxable income in each jurisdiction, the Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Although the Company has considered future taxable income along with prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, if the Company should determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax assets in the future, and adjustment to deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period any such determination was made. Likewise, in the event the Company was able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to deferred tax assets would increase income in the period any such determination was made.

      Investments. The Company records a non-cash charge to earnings when it determines that an investment has experienced an “other than temporary” decline in market value. To make this determination, the Company reviews the carrying value of its non-marketable equity security investments at the end of each reporting period for impairment. Other-than-temporary impairments are generally recognized if the market value of the investment is below its current carrying value for an extended period, which the Company generally defines as six to nine months, or if the issuer has experienced significant financial declines or difficulties in raising capital to continue operations, among other factors. Future adverse changes in market

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conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the recorded marketable securities, thereby possibly requiring additional impairment charges in the future.

Results of Operations

      The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items from the Company’s statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales. The amounts and related percentages may not be fully comparable due to the Company’s acquisition of Polk City Directories in October 2001, the e-mail business from DoubleClick in March 2002, Hill Donnelly in June 2002, City Publishing in September 2002, ClickAction in December 2002, Yesmail in March 2003 and Markado in September 2003:

                             
Year Ended December 31,

2003 2002 2001



Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
                       
Net sales
    100 %     100 %     100 %
Costs and expenses:
                       
 
Database and production costs
    28       28       28  
 
Selling, general and administrative
    46       44       39  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    9       9       17  
 
Impairment of assets
                 
 
Acquisition costs
                 
 
Non-cash stock compensation
                 
 
Restructuring charges
    1       1       2  
 
Provision for litigation settlement
    1              
     
     
     
 
   
Total costs and expenses
    85       82       86  
     
     
     
 
Operating income
    15       18       14  
Other loss, net
    (5 )     (7 )     (8 )
     
     
     
 
Income before income taxes
    10       11       6  
Income tax expense
    4       4       4  
     
     
     
 
Net income
    6 %     7 %     2 %
     
     
     
 
EBITDA, as adjusted(1)
    25 %     27 %     31 %
     
     
     
 
Other Data:
                       
Sales by Segment:
                       
 
infoUSA group
  $ 155.3     $ 155.4     $ 133.7  
 
Donnelley group
    156.0       147.1       155.0  
     
     
     
 
   
Total
  $ 311.3     $ 302.5     $ 288.7  
     
     
     
 
Sales by Segment as a Percentage of Net Sales:
                       
 
infoUSA group
    50 %     51 %     46 %
 
Donnelley group
    50       49       54  
     
     
     
 
   
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %
     
     
     
 


(1)  “EBITDA”, as adjusted, is defined as net income adjusted to exclude interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-cash or non-operating items such as non-cash impairment of assets, non-operating other charges (gains), investment income, minority interest, changes in accounting principles, discontinued operations, subsidiary stock gains and non-cash stock compensation expenses.

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EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted measure of performance that eliminates the effects of a variety of methods used for depreciation and amortization that have changed over time. However, EBITDA does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities as reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows, is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Also, the measure of EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.

      The following provides a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, as adjusted:

                           
2003 2002 2001



Net income
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964  
 
Other charges
    6,385       5,528        
 
Minority interest
                (282 )
 
Investment income
    (1,149 )     (179 )     (953 )
 
Interest expense
    11,547       16,059       25,285  
 
Income taxes
    12,072       12,713       11,371  
 
Depreciation of operating assets
    14,573       14,773       17,873  
 
Amortization of intangible assets
    13,276       13,310       30,254  
 
Non-cash stock compensation expense
    219       52       448  
     
     
     
 
EBITDA, as adjusted
  $ 76,618     $ 82,692     $ 88,960  
     
     
     
 

2003 Compared to 2002

 
Net Sales

      Net sales for 2003 were $311.3 million, an increase of 3% from $302.5 million in 2002. Net sales of the infoUSA Group segment for 2003 were $155.3 million, a less than 1% decrease from $155.4 million in 2002. Excluding the results of the Polk City Directories division included within this segment, the infoUSA Group segment sales were $126.7 million in 2003, up 7% from $118.3 million in 2002. The decrease in net sales for the Polk City Directories division was principally due to changes in the timing of production and delivery of certain printed directories. The infoUSA Group segment principally engages in the selling of sales lead generation and consumer DVD products to small to medium sized companies, small office and home office businesses and individual consumers. This segment also includes the sale of content via the Internet.

      Net sales of the Donnelley Group segment for 2003 were $156.0 million, a 6% increase from $147.1 in 2002. The increase was principally due to the acquisition of ClickAction in December 2002, Yesmail in March 2003 and Markado in September 2003. The Donnelley Group segment principally engages in the selling of data processing services, licensed databases, database marketing solutions, e-mail marketing solutions and list brokerage and list management services to large companies. This segment includes the licensing of databases for Internet directory assistance services.

 
Database and Production Costs

      Database and production costs for 2003 were $84.1 million, or 28% of net sales, compared to $84.7 million, or 28% of net sales in 2002.

 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

      Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2003 were $144.1 million, or 46% of net sales, compared to $132.0 million, or 44% of net sales in 2002. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses principally relates to the Company’s planned increase in direct marketing costs and the addition of approximately 200 sales staff during 2003. Total advertising costs increased $10.2 million to $25.3 million during 2003, up from $15.1 million during 2002. Additionally, the increase is partially due to the acquisition of

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various companies during 2002 and 2003, including Hill-Donnelly, City Publishing, the e-mail list business of DoubleClick, ClickAction, Yesmail and Markado. These acquired companies historically had higher selling, general and administrative cost structures, expressed as a percentage of net sales, than the Company’s existing businesses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense was partially offset by a decrease in bad debt expense totaling $3.4 million during 2003 compared to 2002.
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

      Depreciation and amortization expenses for 2003 totaled $27.8 million, or 9% of net sales, compared to $28.1 million, or 9% of net sales in 2002. The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, as of January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires the Company to complete an annual impairment test on goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite life rather than record amortization expense on those assets. The Company completed impairment tests as of October 31, 2003, as required by SFAS 142, and established that no impairment exists.

 
Non-Cash Stock Compensation Expense

      During 2003, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $219 thousand, compared to $52 thousand in 2002. The Company recorded non-cash stock compensation expenses related to a non-employee consulting agreement executed during 2002. The Company will incur additional non-cash compensation expense for the 2002 consultant options during the vesting period of those options. The amount of compensation expense will be affected by changes in the fair value of the Company’s common stock.

 
Restructuring Costs

      The Company recorded restructuring charges during 2003 and 2002 of $1.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively, related to workforce reductions as a part of the Company’s continuing strategy to reduce unnecessary costs and focus on core operations. The workforce reduction charges included involuntary employee separation costs during 2003 and 2002 for approximately 140 and 230 employees, respectively.

 
Litigation Settlement Charges

      The Company recorded charges during 2003 and 2002 of $1.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to the Company’s disposition of certain legal matters. On May 14, 2002, a principal of one of the acquisitions made by the Company in 1996 was awarded $1.7 million by an arbitrator for settlement of a dispute regarding exercise of stock options issued by the Company. Although the Company has appealed the arbitrator’s decision, the Company’s management recorded a litigation charge of $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2003, for the arbitrators’ award.

 
Acquisition Costs

      The Company recorded integration-related costs during 2003 and 2002 of $57 thousand and $181 thousand, respectively. The integration-related costs included consulting costs, information system conversion and other direct integration-related charges. These costs were not directly related to the recent acquisition of various companies, and therefore could not be capitalized.

 
Operating Income

      Including the factors previously described, the Company had operating income of $48.6 million, or 16% of net sales for 2003, compared to operating income of $54.6 million, or 18% of net sales in 2002. The decrease in operating income as a percentage of net sales is a result of the following items: 1) the Company’s planned increase in direct marketing costs and the addition of sales staff, beginning during the quarter ended September 30, 2003: 2) a decline in net sales for Polk City Directories during the quarter ended September 30, 2003; 3) a litigation settlement charge of $1.7 million recorded during the quarter ended September 30, 2003; and 4) increased operating expenses represented as percentage of net sales associated

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with companies acquired during 2002 and 2003 including City Publishing, Hill-Donnelly, ClickAction, Yesmail and Markado.

      Operating income for the infoUSA Group segment for 2003 was $48.9 million, or 32% of net sales, as compared to $60.2 million, or 39% of net sales in 2002. The decrease in operating income as a percentage of nets sales is principally due to items 1), 2) and 4) described in the preceding paragraph.

      Operating income for the Donnelley Group segment for 2003 was $76.8 million, or 49% of net sales, as compared to $76.9 million, or 52% of net sales in 2002. The decrease in operating income as a percentage of net sales is principally due to increased operating expenses represented as percentage of net sales associated with companies acquired during 2002 and 2003 including ClickAction, Yesmail and Markado.

 
Other Income (Expense), Net

      Other expense, net was $(16.8) million, or 5% of net sales, and $(21.4) million, or 7% of net sales, for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Other income or (expense), net is comprised of interest expense, investment income, minority interest in subsidiary and other income or expense items, which do not represent components of operating expense of the Company.

      On May 27, 2003 the Company’s Secured Credit Facility was amended and restated to increase the credit available from $115 million to $145 million to facilitate the partial redemption of the Company’s 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. As a result of the refinancing, the Company expensed $0.8 million in non-amortized deferred financing costs associated with the issue of the previous facility and $0.7 million in bank fees associated with the new facility. During 2003, the Company purchased $67 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. As part of these purchases, the Company recorded charges of $1.7 million for related net non-amortized debt issue costs and $3.2 million for amounts paid in excess of carrying value of the debt.

      Interest expense was $11.5 million and $16.1 million for 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease is principally due to lower interest rates on the Senior Secured Credit Facility in May 2003, the continued reduction in the amount of 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding and favorable interest rates. Investment income was $1.1 million and $179 thousand, for 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 
Income Taxes

      A provision for income taxes of $12.1 million and $12.7 million was recorded for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, the Company ceased amortizing goodwill and certain intangible assets for financial reporting purposes and consequently, the amortization expense for those assets does not affect either book or taxable income in 2003 or 2002.

 
EBITDA, as adjusted

      The Company’s EBITDA, as adjusted, was $76.6 million, or 25% of net sales for 2003, compared to $82.7 million, or 27% of net sales in 2002. The decrease in EBITDA, as adjusted represented as a percentage of net sales principally relates to the Company’s planned increase in direct marketing costs and the addition of approximately 200 sales staff during 2003.

2002 Compared to 2001

 
Net sales

      Net sales for 2002 were $302.5 million, an increase of 5% from $288.7 million in 2001. The increase in net sales is principally due to the acquisition of Polk Directories in October 2001, and to a lesser extent, other smaller acquisitions made during 2002. The overall increase was offset by declines in data processing services and database licensing. Poor general economic conditions, the loss of certain larger data processing customers and the loss of certain internet database license customers contributed most significantly to the declines identified above.

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      Net sales of the small business segment for 2002 were $155.4 million, a 16% increase from $133.7 million in 2001. The small business segment principally engages in the selling of sales lead generation and consumer DVD products to small to medium sized companies, small office and home office businesses and individual consumers. This segment also includes the sale of content via the Internet. The increase in net sales is principally due to the acquisition of Polk Directories in October 2001 and various smaller acquisitions during 2002, including Hill-Donnelly, City Publishing, Key Contacts, Inc. and Database Concepts, Inc. The Company immediately integrated the operations of its various acquisitions into existing operations. As discussed in the overview above, the Company cannot separately report the results of operations of its various acquisitions upon completion of the integration.

      Net sales of the large business segment for 2002 were $147.1 million, a 5% decrease from $155.0 in 2001. The large business segment principally engages in the selling of data processing services, licensed databases, database marketing solutions and list brokerage and list management services to large companies. This segment includes the licensing of databases for Internet directory assistance services. The decrease in net sales is principally due to softer customer demand for Internet licensing and the loss of certain larger data processing customers. The overall decrease was offset by the acquisition of the e-mail list business of DoubleClick and ClickAction during 2002 Database license sales for 2002 were $38.6 million, compared to $46.5 million in 2001. Data processing sales for 2002 were $70.1 million, compared to $76.2 million in 2001.

 
Database and production costs

      Database and production costs for 2002 were $84.7 million, or 28% of net sales, compared to $80.9 million, or 28% of net sales in 2001. The dollar increase in database and production costs is primarily due to the acquisition of Polk City Directories in October 2001 and reflects additional printing and binding costs.

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses

      Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2002 were $132.0 million, or 44% of net sales, compared to $112.4 million, or 39% of net sales in 2001. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales is principally due to the acquisition of Polk Directories in October 2001, and to a lesser extent, the acquisitions of Hill-Donnelly and City Publishing during 2002. Polk City Directories utilizes a dedicated sales force that has a higher operating cost structure as a percentage of net sales than the Company’s existing businesses.

 
Depreciation and amortization expenses

      Depreciation and amortization expenses for 2002 totaled $28.1 million, or 9% of net sales, compared to $48.1 million, or 17% of net sales in 2001. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses is due to the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” as of January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires the Company to complete an annual impairment test on goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite life rather than record amortization expense on those assets. The Company completed impairment tests as of January 1, 2002 and October 31, 2002, as required by SFAS 142, and established that no impairment exists.

 
Non-cash stock compensation expense

      During 2002, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $52 thousand, compared to $0.4 million in 2001. The Company recorded non-cash stock compensation expenses during 2002 related to a non-employee consulting agreement. During 2001, non-cash stock compensation expense related to stock options granted by the Company’s former subsidiary, infoUSA.com. The decrease is due to the fact that the Company eliminated the minority interest in its infoUSA.com subsidiary through the purchase of assets as of September 30, 2001, and therefore did not incur non-cash stock compensation expense related to the infoUSA.com subsidiary options for the fourth quarter of 2001 and subsequent periods. However, the Company will incur additional non-cash compensation expense for the 2002 consultant options during the vesting period of those options. The

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amount of compensation expense will be affected by changes in the fair value of the Company’s common stock.
 
Restructuring costs

      During 2002, the Company recorded restructuring charges due to workforce reductions of $2.5 million as a part of the Company’s continuing strategy to reduce costs and focus on core operations. The workforce reduction charges included involuntary employee separation costs for approximately 230 employees in 2002.

      The Company recorded restructuring charges of $4.9 million for 2001, due to fiscal year 2001 workforce reductions totaling $2.1 million and early lease termination costs of $2.8 million, as a part of the Company’s overall strategy to reduce costs and focus its commitment on core business lines. The fiscal year 2001 workforce reduction charges included involuntary employee separation costs for approximately 265 employees.

 
Litigation settlement charges

      The Company is involved in various legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business. The Company recorded charges during 2002 and 2001 of $0.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the Company’s disposition of certain legal matters.

 
Acquisition costs

      The Company recorded integration-related costs during 2002 and 2001 of $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The integration-related costs included consulting costs, information system conversion and other direct integration-related charges. These costs were not directly related to the recent acquisition of various companies, and therefore could not be capitalized.

 
Operating income

      Including the factors previously described, the Company had operating income of $54.6 million, or 18% of net sales for 2002, compared to operating income of $40.4 million, or 14% of net sales in 2001.

      Operating income for the small business segment for 2002 was $60.2 million, or 39% of net sales, as compared to $60.4 million, or 45% of net sales in 2001. The decrease in operating income as a percentage of nets sales is principally due to increased sales and marketing expenses represented as a percentage of net sales associated with Polk Directories as discussed in the selling, general administrative section above.

      Operating income for the large business segment for 2002 was $76.9 million, or 52% of net sales, as compared to $81.1 million, or 52% of net sales in 2001. Operating income as a percentage of net sales remained constant although net sales in dollars decreased, as the Company was proactive in continuing cost reduction measures during 2002.

 
Other income (expense), net

      Other expense, net was $(21.4) million, or 7% of net sales, and $(24.1) million, or 8% of net sales, for 2002 and 2001, respectively. Other income or expense, net is comprised of interest expense, investment income, minority interest in subsidiary and other income or expense items that do not represent components of operating expense of the Company.

      During 1999 in conjunction with the acquisition of Donnelley, the Company negotiated a credit arrangement (“Senior Debt Credit Facility”). According to the terms of the Senior Debt Credit Facility, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Union Bank of California, to fix the rate on $60.5 million of the debt at an interest rate of 6.385% for the term of 3 years. During 2002, the Company refinanced the Senior Debt Credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. As a result of the refinancing, the Company recorded a charge of $1.2 million for amounts reported in Other Comprehensive Income related to the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement. Also during 2002, the Company wrote-off deferred financing costs of $2.8 million in connection with the refinancing of its Senior Debt Credit Facility as described above.

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      The Company recorded a non-cash loss of $1.2 million, on the interest rate swap agreement designated as a cash flow hedge for the Company’s Senior Debt Credit Facility described in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Senior Debt Credit Facility was refinanced on March 6, 2002. As a result of the refinancing, the Company recorded a charge of $1.2 million for unrealized interest expense that had been accounted for as a component of “Other Comprehensive Income” a stockholders’ equity account included on the accompanying Balance Sheet.

      During 2002, the Company recorded a loss of $1.1 million for an other-than-temporary decline in the value of a nonmarketable equity investment. The investment was determined to be impaired by management after consideration of recent equity transactions by the investee.

      During 2002, the Company wrote-off $0.4 million for net unamortized debt issue costs and amounts paid in excess of par related to the retirement of $9.0 million of the Company’s 9.5% senior notes.

      Interest expense was $16.1 million and $25.3 million for 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease was principally due to lower interest rates as a result of the refinancing of the senior credit facility in March 2002 and the continued reduction of total debt facilities by the Company. Investment income was $179 thousand and $1.0 million, for 2002 and 2001, respectively.

      Minority interest in gain of subsidiary of $0.3 million in 2001 represents the unaffiliated investors’ share of infoUSA.com’s net gain for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 
Income taxes

      A provision for income taxes of $12.7 million and $11.4 million was recorded for 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in the Company’s effective tax rate to 38% in 2002 from 70% in 2001 is the result of two factors. First, the Company’s 2001 net income did not include any deferred tax benefits related to operating losses of its former subsidiary infoUSA.com due to uncertainties surrounding the recoverability of these deferred tax assets. infoUSA.com was not previously included in the Company’s consolidated Federal income tax return. Second, the Company’s pre-tax book income for the fiscal year 2001 included nondeductible amortization expense of $16.5 million for goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives. Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, the Company ceased amortizing these assets for financial reporting purposes and consequently, the amortization expense for those assets does not affect either book or taxable income in 2002.

EBITDA, as adjusted

      The Company’s EBITDA, as adjusted was $82.7 million, or 27% of net sales for 2002, and $89.0 million, or 31% of net sales in 2001.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 
General Information- Debt Instruments, Financial Covenants and Sources and Uses of Cash

      The Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility (amended May 2003) provides for a term loan of $100 million due April 1, 2007 ($88.8 million outstanding at December 31, 2003) and $45.0 million ($9.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2003) under a revolving credit facility due May 2006, reducing to $40 million on April 1, 2004 and reducing to $35 million on April 1, 2005.

      The Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for grid-based interest pricing based upon the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and ranges from base rate + 1.00% to 2.00% for base rate loans and from LIBOR + 2.00% to 3.00% for LIBOR loans for use of the revolving credit facility. The term loan interest rate is base rate +3.00% or LIBOR + 4.00%. Substantially all of the assets of the Company are pledged as security under the terms of the credit facility. At December 31, 2003, the term loan had a balance of $88.8 million with an interest rate of 5.14% and $36.0 million was available under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.35% and 0.50%, dependent on the consolidated leverage ratio, on the average unused amount of the revolving credit facility.

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      The Company is subject to certain financial covenants in its various credit facilities, including total funded debt leverage ratio, senior debt leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum consolidated EBITDA. Management believes the Company is in compliance with or has obtained waivers for all restrictive covenants of the Company’s various debt facilities.

      The Company believes that its existing sources of liquidity and cash generated from operations will satisfy the Company’s projected working capital, debt repayments and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. Acquisitions of other technologies, products or companies, or internal product development efforts may require the Company to obtain additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available or may be dilutive.

 
Selected Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Information

      As of December 31, 2003, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity included $36 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility previously described. As of December 31 2003, the Company had a working capital deficit of $13.1 million.

      Net cash provided by operating activities during 2003 totaled $56.6 million compared to $53.2 million in 2002.

      During 2003, the Company spent $5.5 million for additions of property and equipment, $1.2 million related to software and database development costs and $50.8 million, net, on the repayment of long-term debt. The repayments on long-term debt included the repurchase of $67 million of 9.5% Senior Notes on the open market. The Company spent $0.9 million during 2003 related to the refinancing of its Senior Secured Credit Facility.

      During 2003, the Company spent $5.8 million for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired of $1.0 million. The Company paid $4.1 million for Yesmail (net of cash acquired of $1.0 million), $1.0 million for Markado and capitalized acquisition costs totaling $0.7 million.

 
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Information

      Trade accounts receivable increased slightly to $40.9 million at December 31, 2003 from $39.4 million at December 31, 2002. The day’s sales outstanding (“DSO”) ratio for 2003 was 49 days compared to 47 days in 2002.

      Marketable securities increased to $3.7 million at December 31, 2003 from $0.9 million at December 31, 2002. The Company made selected investments in other entities during 2003 and the investments are recorded at fair market value.

      Deferred marketing costs increased to $5.5 million at December 31, 2003 from $1.7 million at December 31, 2002. The increase is the direct result of the Company’s increased spending during the latter part of 2003 on direct marketing costs that are subject to deferral and amortization. Total advertising costs increased $10.2 million to $25.3 million during 2003, up from $15.1 million during 2002.

      Selected other balance sheet accounts including list brokerage trade accounts receivable, list brokerage trade accounts payable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued payroll expenses increased (decreased) moderately from their respective account balances at December 31, 2003 from their respective account balances at December 31, 2002. The increase (decrease) in these account balances is due to the acquisition of certain companies during 2003 and payment timing differences related to various general operating expenses.

      Deferred revenue increased to $19.8 million at December 31, 2003 from $13.8 million at December 31, 2002. The increase is due to increased database license sales, which are subject to deferral and amortization, during fiscal year 2003 from fiscal year 2002.

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      Long-term debt, net of current portion decreased to $122.5 million at December 31, 2003 from $164.1 million at December 31, 2002. The Company made repayments on long-term debt totaling $50 million during 2003.

      The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003:

                                 
Less than 1 to 4 to After
1 Year 3 years 5 Years 5 Years




(In thousands)
Long-term debt
  $ 16,820     $ 56,743     $ 65,020     $  
Capital lease obligations
    460       722              
Operating leases
    6,238       8,854       5,774       2,115  
Unconditional purchase obligations
    12,309       12,893              
     
     
     
     
 
Total cash contractual obligations
  $ 35,827     $ 79,212     $ 70,794     $ 2,115  
     
     
     
     
 

Accounting Standards

      In June 2001, the FASB released SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. SFAS No. 143 requires recognition of asset retirement obligations as a liability rather than a contra-asset. SFAS No. 143 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2003. SFAS No. 143 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

      In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13 and Technical Corrections.” SFAS No. 145, among other things, rescinds SFAS No. 4 which required all gains and losses from the extinguishments of debt to be classified as an extraordinary item and amends SFAS No. 13 to require that certain lease modification that have economic effect similar to sale-leaseback transactions be accounted for in the same manner as sale-leaseback transactions. Upon adoption of the new accounting standard in 2003, the Company is required to reclassify the extraordinary item of $1.8 million related to the extinguishment of debt as reported in the 2002 consolidated statement of operations. The reclassification will increase other non-operating expense by $2.9 million and decrease income tax expense by $1.1 million.

      In June 2002, the FASB released SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” which addresses accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, and nullifies EITF 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to exit an Activity.” SFAS No. 146 addresses involuntary one-time employee termination benefits, cost to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease, and other associated exit costs. Existing accounting guidelines require companies to recognize a liability when management commits itself or announces plans to exit or dispose of an activity. SFAS No. 146 will prohibit companies from recognizing an exit or disposal liability can be measured at fair value. The Company is required to be in conformity with the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for exist or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

      In October 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB reached tentative conclusion on the accounting for revenues in transactions that involve multiple deliverables. The expected guidance will govern how to identify whether goods or services or both, that are to be delivered separately in a bundled sales arrangement, should be accounted for separately. The guidance from the tentative reaches a consensus on the issue. The Company was required to adopt the guidance in the financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. The Company determined the impact of this issue on the consolidated financial statements was not material.

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      In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” an interpretation of SFAS No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34. This interpretation requires additional disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also specifies the requirements for liability recognition (at fair value) for obligations undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual financial statements ending after December 15, 2002, (December 31, 2002 financial statements for calendar year companies). The initial recognition and measurement provisions are effective for all guarantees within the scope of Interpretation 45 issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company has not yet determined the effect of Interpretation No. 45 on its financial statements with respect to initial recognition and measurement.

      In May 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued EITF 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. EITF 00-21 addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting. EITF 00-21 is effective for revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. EITF 00-21 has not had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

      In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability. The provisions of this statement are effective for financial instruments entered into of modified after May 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, management believes that SFAS No. 150 has no significant effect on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

      In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. As of December 31, 2003, management believes that SFAS No. 149 does not have a significant effect on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

      In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB interpretation No. 46 (Revised), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN No. 46® address consolidation by business enterprises of certain variable interest entities. The provisions of FIN No. 46 are effective immediately for variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003 and for variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. The provisions are effective in the first fiscal year of interim period beginning after December 15, 2003, for variable interest entities in which an enterprise hold a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. The Company does not currently have any variable interest entities; therefore FIN No. 46 will not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

Inflation

      We do not believe that the rate of inflation has had a material effect on our operating results. However, inflation could adversely affect our future operating results if it were to result in a substantial weakening economic condition.

Factors That May Affect Operating Results

 
Our Internet strategy is subject to review and revision.

      Our Internet strategy is to leverage our proprietary content into multiple vertical market applications and provide marketing solutions for electronic commerce applications. The strategy of developing more efficient and profitable applications of our content through the Internet is evolving. We cannot guarantee that our customers will choose to have our products and services delivered to them over the Internet. If we are successful in developing Internet applications, we may face strong competition from current and potential

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competitors, including other Internet companies and other providers of business and consumer databases. We will review our Internet strategy from time to time and may continue to revise it.
 
Our markets are highly competitive and many of our competitors have greater resources than we do.

      The business and consumer marketing information industry in which we operate is highly competitive. Intense competition could harm us by causing, among other things, price reductions, reduced gross margins, and loss of market share. Our competition includes:

  •  In consumer sales lead generation products, Acxiom, Experian (a subsidiary of Great Universal Stores, P.L.C. (“GUS”)), and Equifax, both directly and through reseller networks.
 
  •  In data processing services, Acxiom, Experian, Direct Marketing Technologies (a subsidiary of GUS) and Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc.
 
  •  In business sales lead generation products, Experian and Dun’s Marketing Services (“DMS”), a division of Dun & Bradstreet. DMS, which relies upon information compiled from Dun & Bradstreet’s credit database, tends to focus on marketing to large companies.
 
  •  In business directory publishing, we compete with Regional Bell Operating Companies and many smaller, regional directory publishers.
 
  •  In consumer products, certain smaller producers of CD-Rom products.
 
  •  Technologies which companies may install and implement in-house as part of their internal information systems functions, instead of purchasing or outsourcing such functions.

      In addition, we may face competition from new entrants to the business and consumer marketing information industry as a result of the rapid expansion of the Internet, which creates a substantial new channel for distributing business information to the market. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, better name recognition and greater financial resources than we do, which may enable them to implement their business strategies more readily than we can.

 
We are leveraged. If we are unable to service our debt as it becomes due, our business would be harmed.

      As of December 31, 2003, we had total indebtedness of approximately $139.8 million, including $30.0 million of Notes due under an indenture (the “Indenture”) and $97.8 million under a $145 million Senior Secured Credit facility. Substantially all of our assets are pledged as security under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit facility.

      Our ability to pay principal and interest on the Notes issued under the Indenture and the indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit facility and our ability to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend upon our future operating performance. Our performance will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors. Certain of these factors are beyond our control. The future availability of revolving credit under the Senior Secured Credit facility will depend on, among other things, our ability to meet certain specified financial ratios and maintenance tests. We expect that our operating cash flow should be sufficient to meet our operating expenses, to make necessary capital expenditures and to service our debt requirements as they become due. If we are unable to service our indebtedness, however, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying acquisitions and/or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness (including the Notes issued under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Credit facility) or seeking additional equity capital. We may not be able to implement any such measures or obtain additional financing or terms that are favorable or satisfactory to us, if at all.

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The terms of our current indebtedness may restrict our ability to take certain actions that fit our business strategy.

      Our existing credit facilities contain certain covenants that restrict our ability to:

  •  Incur additional indebtedness;
 
  •  Pay dividends and make certain other similar payments;
 
  •  Guarantee indebtedness of others;
 
  •  Enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
 
  •  Consummate certain asset sales, certain mergers and consolidations, sales or other dispositions of all or substantially all of our assets
 
  •  Acquire other companies; and
 
  •  Obtain dividends or certain other payments from our subsidiaries.

      These restrictions may impair our ability to take certain actions that fit our business strategy. A breach of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the terms of our existing credit facilities. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of any such indebtedness is accelerated, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full the indebtedness under our credit facilities and our other indebtedness. Moreover, if we were unable to repay amounts owed to the lenders under our credit facilities, the lenders could foreclose on our assets that secure the indebtedness.

 
Fluctuations in our operating results may result in decreases in the market price of our common stock.

      Our operating results may fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis. Our expense levels are relatively fixed and are based, in part, on our expectations as to future revenues. As a result, unexpected changes in revenue levels may have a disproportionate effect on operating performance in any given period. In some period or periods our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. Our failure to meet analyst or investor expectations could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock.

 
If we do not adapt our products and services to respond to changes in technology, they could become obsolete.

      We provide marketing information and services to our customers in a variety of formats, including printed formats, electronic formats such as CD-Rom and DVD, and over the Internet. Advances in information technology may result in changing customer preferences for products and product delivery formats. If we do not successfully adapt our products and services to take advantage of changes in technology and customer preferences, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

      We have adopted an Internet strategy because we believe that the Internet represents an important and rapidly evolving market for marketing information products and services. Our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected if we:

  •  Fail to develop products and services that are well suited to the Internet market;
 
  •  Experience difficulties that delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of these products and services; or
 
  •  Fail to achieve sufficient traffic to our Internet sites to generate significant revenues, or to successfully implement electronic commerce operations.

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Our ability to increase our revenues will depend to some extent upon introducing new products and services, and if the marketplace does not accept these new products and services, our revenues may decline.

      To increase our revenues, we must enhance and improve existing products and continue to introduce new products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer requirements, and achieve market acceptance. We believe much of our future growth prospects will rest on our ability to continue to expand into newer products and services. Products and services that we plan to market in the future are in various stages of development. We cannot assure you that the marketplace will accept these products. If our current or potential customers are not willing to switch to or adopt our new products and services, our ability to increase revenues will be impaired.

 
Changes in laws and regulations relating to data privacy could adversely affect our business.

      We engage in direct marketing, as do many of our customers. Certain data and services provided by us are subject to regulation by federal, state and local authorities in the United States as well as those in Canada and the United Kingdom. For instance, some of the data and services that we provide are subject to regulation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which regulates the use of consumer credit information, and to a lesser extent, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which regulates the use of non-public personal information. We are also subject to the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act of 1998, which became fully effective on October 24, 2001 and regulates the manner in which we can use third-party data, and recent regulatory limitations relating to use of the Electoral Roll, one of our key data sources in the United Kingdom. In addition, growing concerns about individual privacy and the collection, distribution and use of information about individuals have led to self-regulation of such practices by the direct marketing industry through guidelines suggested by the Direct Marketing Association and to increased federal and state regulation. There is increasing awareness and concern among the general public regarding marketing and privacy concerns, particularly as it relates to the Internet. This concern is likely to result in new laws and regulations. Compliance with existing federal, state and local laws and regulations and industry self-regulation has not to date seriously affected our business, financial condition or results of operations. Nonetheless, federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect the public from the misuse of personal information in the marketplace and adverse publicity or potential litigation concerning the collection, management or commercial use of such information may increasingly affect our operations. This could result in substantial regulatory compliance or litigation expense or a loss of revenue.

 
Our business would be harmed if we do not successfully integrate future acquisitions.

      Our business strategy includes continued growth through acquisitions of complementary products, technologies or businesses. We have made over 20 acquisitions since 1996 and completed the integration of these acquisitions into our existing business by the end of 2003. We continue to evaluate strategic opportunities available to us and intend to pursue opportunities that we believe fit our business strategy. Acquisitions of companies, products or technologies may result in the diversion of management’s time and attention from day-to-day operations of our business and may entail numerous other risks, including difficulties in assimilating and integrating acquired operations, databases, products, corporate cultures and personnel, potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses, difficulties in applying our internal controls to acquired businesses, and particular problems, liabilities or contingencies related to the businesses being acquired. To the extent our efforts to integrate future acquisitions fail, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

      The Company is exposed to material future earnings or cash flow exposures from changes in interest rates as over one-half of the Company’s debt is at variable rates. At December 31, 2003, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is based on quoted market prices at the reporting date or is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at rates currently offered to the Company for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities. At December 31, 2003, the Company had long-term debt with a

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carrying value of $139.8 million and estimated fair value of approximately $141.2 million. The market risk is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value of the Company’s long-term debt resulting from a hypothetical increase of 10% in the rates currently offered to the Company. An increase in interest rates would result in approximately a $1.3 million increase in fair market value of the Company’s long-term debt. The Company does not have operations subject to material risks of foreign currency fluctuations.
 
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

      The information required by this item (other than selected quarterly financial data which is set forth below) is incorporated by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The following table sets forth selected financial information for each of the eight quarters in the two-year period ended December 31, 2003. This unaudited information has been prepared by the Company on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements and includes all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly this information when read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

                                                                     
2003 Quarter Ended 2002 Quarter Ended


March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31








Statement of Operations Data:
                                                               
Net sales
  $ 76,080     $ 78,831     $ 77,379     $ 79,055     $ 76,723     $ 74,042     $ 77,171     $ 74,580  
Costs and expenses:
                                                               
 
Database and production costs
    20,900       22,240       21,416       22,518       21,260       21,313       20,618       21,519  
 
Selling, general and administrative
    33,134       33,864       36,827       40,243       31,881       31,966       34,711       33,427  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    7,175       7,033       7,006       6,635       7,104       7,149       6,805       7,025  
 
Acquisition costs(1)
    13       41             3       63       110       2       6  
 
Non-cash stock compensation
          69       76       74             27       8       17  
 
Litigation settlement charges(2)
                1,667                   307       110        
 
Restructuring charges(3)
    555       430       645       231       167       645       804       915  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Operating income
    14,303       15,154       9,742       9,351       16,248       12,525       14,113       11,671  
 
Other expense, net(4)
    (3,314 )     (7,260 )     (4,089 )     (2,120 )     (8,401 )     (5,899 )     (3,484 )     (3,624 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Income before income taxes
    10,989       7,894       5,653       7,231       7,847       6,626       10,629       8,047  
 
Income tax expense
    4,134       3,169       2,021       2,748       2,981       2,400       4,225       3,107  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 6,855     $ 4,725     $ 3,632     $ 4,483     $ 4,866     $ 4,226     $ 6,404     $ 4,940  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.09     $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.10     $ 0.08     $ 0.12     $ 0.10  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.09     $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.10     $ 0.08     $ 0.12     $ 0.10  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    51,144       51,221       51,676       52,245       50,908       50,923       50,991       51,070  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    51,144       51,239       52,357       52,526       51,223       51,088       50,991       51,070  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 


(1)  Includes the following acquisition costs: 1) $57 thousand in 2003 for various acquisitions, including Clickaction, Yesmail and Markado, and 2) 0.2 million related to various acquisitions made during 2002. These costs are not direct costs of acquisition and therefore can not be capitalized as part of the purchase price. Rather, these are general and administrative costs incurred in connection with the integration of these businesses.
 
(2)  During 2003 and 2002, the Company settled legal issues totaling $1.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in connection with the settlement of various contractual disputes.

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(3)  During 2003, the Company recorded restructuring charges for severance costs of $1.9 million for 140 employees terminated during the year. During 2002, the Company recorded restructuring charges for severance costs of $2.5 million for 230 employees terminated during the year.
 
(4)  During 2003, the Company recorded other charges totaling $6.4 million for: 1) $1.6 million for non-amortized debt issue costs and a $3.2 premium to purchase $67 million of the Company’s 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes, 2) $0.8 million in bank fees to amend and restate the Senior Secured Credit Facility and $0.8 million in non-amortized costs associated with the previous credit facility. During 2002, the Company recorded other charges totaling $5.5 million for: 1) a loss of $2.8 million for the net unamortized debt issue costs related to the Deutsche Bank credit facility, 2) a loss of $1.1 million for another-than-temporary decline in the value of a nonmarketable equity investment, 3) a loss of $1.2 million for the reclassification of an interest rate swap agreement due to the refinancing of the Company’s senior debt credit facility during the year, and 4) a loss related to the Company’s repurchase of $9.0 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. As part of the repurchases, the Company recorded a loss totaling $0.4 million for net unamortized debt issue costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes and for amounts paid in excess of carrying value of the debt.
                                                                   
2003 Quarter Ended 2002 Quarter Ended


March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31








Statement of Operations Data:
                                                               
As a Percentage of Net Sales:
                                                               
Net sales
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
Costs and expenses:
                                                               
 
Database and production costs
    27       28       28       28       28       29       27       29  
 
Selling, general and administrative
    44       43       47       51       42       43       45       45  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    9       9       9       9       9       10       9       9  
 
Impairment of assets
                                               
 
Acquisition costs
                                               
 
Non-cash stock compensation
                                               
 
Litigation settlement charges
                2                                
 
Restructuring charges
    1       1       1                   1       1       1  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Operating income
    19       19       13       12       21       17       18       16  
Other income (expense), net
    (5 )     (9 )     (5 )     (2 )     (11 )     (8 )     (5 )     (5 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income before income taxes
    14       10       7       10       10       9       13       11  
Income taxes
    5       4       2       (4 )     4       3       5       (4 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
    9 %     6 %     5 %     6 %     6 %     6 %     8 %     7 %
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

      None

 
Item 9A. Controls and Procedure

      Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation as of as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that infoUSA’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) were sufficiently effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by infoUSA in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is gathered, analyzed and disclosed with adequate timeliness, accuracy and completeness.

      Changes in internal controls. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation referred to above,

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nor were there any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in infoUSA’s internal controls. Accordingly, no corrective actions were required or undertaken.

PART III

 
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

      The required information regarding Directors of the registrant is incorporated by reference to the information under the caption “Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting” and “Incumbent Directors whose Terms of Office Continue After the Annual Meeting” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004.

      The required information regarding Executive Officers of the registrant is contained in Part I of this Form 10-K.

      The required information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act is incorporated by reference to the information under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004.

 
Code of Ethics

      We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website at www.infousa.com under the caption Investor Relations.

      We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by posting such information on our website, at the address and location specified above and, to the extent required by the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market, by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, disclosing such information.

 
Item 11. Executive Compensation

      Incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Election of Directors — Board Compensation,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Certain Transactions” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004.

 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

      Incorporated by reference to the information under the caption “Security Ownership” and “Executive Compensation — Equity Compensation Plan Table” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004.

 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      Incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Certain Transactions” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004.

 
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

      Incorporated by reference to the information under the caption “Auditors’ Fees” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2004.

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PART IV

 
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a) The following documents are filed as a part of the Report:

        1. Financial Statements. The following Consolidated Financial Statements of infoUSA Inc. and Subsidiaries and Report of Independent Accountants are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K:
         
Description Page No.


infoUSA Inc. and Subsidiaries:
       
Independent Auditors’ Report
    42  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002
    43  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 20001
    44  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    45  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    46  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    47 - 70  
Independent Auditors’ Report on Financial Statement Schedule
    71  

        2. Financial Statement Schedule. The following consolidated financial statement schedule of infoUSA Inc. and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 is filed as part of this Report and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements.
         
Description Page No.


Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    72  

      Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not applicable or are not required or the information required to be set forth therein is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

        3. Exhibits. The following Exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report:
             
  3.1       Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through October 22, 1999, is Incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed March 20, 2000.
  3.2       Bylaws are incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-42887), which became effective February 18, 1992.
  3.3       Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Participating Preferred Stock, filed in Delaware on October 22,1999, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, Filed March 20, 2000.
  4.1       Preferred Share Rights Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed March 20, 2000.
  4.2       Specimen of Common Stock Certificate is Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended), filed March 20, 2000.
  4.4       Purchase Agreement dated June 12, 1998 between the Company, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Hambrecht & Quist LLC is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1998.
  4.5       Indenture dated as of June 18, 1998 (the “Indenture”) by and between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company of California, N.A., as Trustee is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1998.

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  4.6       Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 18, 1998 by and among the Company and BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Hambrecht & Quist LLC as the Initial Purchasers is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1998.
  4.7       Form of New 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Note due 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-61645), filed December 15, 1999.
  4.8       Credit Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., various Lenders (as defined therein) and Bank of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  4.9       Pledge Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., Various Lenders (as defined therein) and Bank of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  4.10       Security Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., various Lenders (as defined therein) and Bank of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  4.11       Subsidiaries Guaranty Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., various Lenders (as defined therein) and of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  10.1       Form of Indemnification Agreement with Officers and Directors is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-51352), filed August 28, 1992.
  10.2       1992 Stock Option Plan as amended is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-37865), filed October 14, 1997.
  10.3       1997 Stock Option Plan as amended is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-82933), filed July 15, 1999.
  10.4       Employment Agreement dated February 11, 1997 between the Company and Allen F. Ambrosino, incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2000.
  10.5       Amended and Restated Database License Agreement between Donnelley Marketing, Inc. and First Data Resources, Inc. dated as of July 23, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999.
  10.6       Covenant not to compete by First Data Corporation to infoUSA Inc. dated as of July 23, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999.
  21.1       Subsidiaries and State of Incorporation, filed herewith.
  23.1       Consent of Independent Accountants, filed herewith.
  24.1       Power of Attorney, filed herewith.
  31.1       Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1       Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

      The Company filed a Form 8-K under Items 7 and 12 (filed under Item 9 as permitted by SEC guidance) on October 15, 2003 for a press release announcing third quarter results.

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SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

  INFOUSA INC.

  By:  /s/ TIM HOFFMAN
 
  Tim Hoffman
  Chief Accounting Officer
  (principal accounting officer)

Dated: March 15, 2004

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

             
Signature Title Date



 
/s/ VINOD GUPTA

Vinod Gupta
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  March 15, 2004
 
/s/ RAJ DAS

Raj Das
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
  March 15, 2004
 
/s/ TIMOTHY HOFFMAN

Tim Hoffman
  Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
  March 15, 2004
 
/s/ GEORGE F. HADDIX

George F. Haddix
  Director   March 15, 2004
 
/s/ ELLIOT S. KAPLAN

Elliot S. Kaplan
  Director   March 15, 2004
 
/s/ HAROLD ANDERSEN

Harold Andersen
  Director   March 15, 2004
 
/s/ DR. VASANT RAVAL

Dr. Vasant Raval
  Director   March 15, 2004
 
/s/ RICHARD J. BORDA

Richard J. Borda
  Director   March 15, 2004
 
/s/ DENNIS P. WALKER

Dennis P. Walker
  Director   March 15, 2004

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         
Page

infoUSA Inc. and Subsidiaries:
       
Independent Auditors’ Report
    42  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002
    43  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    44  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    45  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    46  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    47-70  
Independent Auditors’ Report on Financial Statement Schedule
    71  
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    72  

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

infoUSA Inc.:

      We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of infoUSA Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of infoUSA Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

      As discussed in Notes 2 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, “Business Combinations,” for all acquisitions subsequent to July 1, 2001 and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” as of January 1, 2002.

  /s/ KPMG LLP
 
  KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

January 15, 2004 except Note 20 which is
     as of February 2, 2004

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                     
December 31, December 31,
2003 2002


(In thousands, except share
and per share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,686     $ 6,285  
 
Marketable securities
    3,685       887  
 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,492 and $3,673, respectively
    40,922       39,352  
 
Officer note receivable
          510  
 
List brokerage trade accounts receivable
    12,844       16,635  
 
Prepaid expenses
    4,985       4,515  
 
Income taxes receivable
    1,046        
 
Deferred marketing costs
    5,457       1,746  
     
     
 
   
Total current assets
    71,625       69,930  
     
     
 
Property and equipment, net
    40,984       45,756  
Intangible assets, net
    247,609       273,246  
Other assets
    6,128       4,454  
     
     
 
    $ 366,346     $ 393,386  
     
     
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
               
 
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 17,280     $ 26,312  
 
Accounts payable
    16,212       13,303  
 
List brokerage trade accounts payable
    9,516       12,745  
 
Accrued payroll expenses
    17,793       11,410  
 
Accrued expenses
    824       1,827  
 
Income taxes payable
          3,287  
 
Deferred income taxes
    3,241       515  
 
Deferred revenue
    19,824       13,821  
     
     
 
   
Total current liabilities
    84,690       83,220  
     
     
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    122,485       164,116  
Deferred income taxes
    8,553       21,722  
Deferred revenue
    3,000       6,000  
Other liabilities
    1,397        
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Common stock, $.0025 par value. Authorized 295,000,000 shares; 52,808,835 shares issued and 52,271,323 shares outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 51,869,816 shares issued and 51,111,014 outstanding at December 31, 2002
    132       130  
 
Paid-in capital
    99,447       92,205  
 
Retained earnings
    51,932       32,237  
 
Treasury stock, at cost, 537,512 shares held at December 31, 2003 and 758,802 shares held at December 31, 2002
    (3,247 )     (4,538 )
 
Notes receivable from officers
    (325 )     (834 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,718 )     (872 )
     
     
 
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    146,221       118,328  
     
     
 
    $ 366,346     $ 393,386  
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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infoUSA INC. SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                           
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales
  $ 311,345     $ 302,516     $ 288,738  
Costs and expenses:
                       
 
Database and production costs
    87,074       84,710       80,880  
 
Selling, general and administrative (excluding non-cash stock compensation expense of $219, $52 and $448 for years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively)
    144,068       131,985       112,402  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    27,849       28,083       48,127  
 
Acquisition costs
    57       181       493  
 
Non-cash stock compensation
    219       52       448  
 
Restructuring charges
    1,861       2,531       4,899  
 
Provision for litigation settlement
    1,667       417       1,104  
     
     
     
 
      262,795       247,959       248,353  
     
     
     
 
Operating income
    48,550       54,557       40,385  
Other expense, net:
                       
 
Investment income
    1,149       179       953  
 
Interest expense
    (11,547 )     (16,059 )     (25,285 )
 
Minority interest
                282  
 
Other charges
    (6,385 )     (5,528 )      
     
     
     
 
 
Other expense, net
    (16,783 )     (21,408 )     (24,050 )
Income before income taxes
    31,767       33,149       16,335  
Income tax expense
    12,072       12,713       11,371  
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964  
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings per share:
                       
 
Net income
  $ 0.38     $ 0.40     $ 0.10  
     
     
     
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    51,576       51,170       50,651  
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
 
Net income
  $ 0.38     $ 0.40     $ 0.10  
     
     
     
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    51,714       51,193       50,651  
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001
                                                                         
Notes Accumulated
Unamortized Receivable Other Total
Common Paid-In Retained Treasury Stock for Officer Comprehensive Stockholders’
Stock Capital Earnings Stock Compensation Stock Income (Loss) Equity








(In thousands, except share amounts)
Balances, December 31, 2000
    129       96,539       6,837       (7,271 )     (4,543 )           (721 )     90,970  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
   
Net income
                4,964                               4,964  
     
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax
                                        (640 )     (640 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
       
Total comprehensive income
                4,964                         (640 )     4,324  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Issuance of 320,000 shares of common stock in connection with stock option exercises
    1       1,279                         (1,280 )            
 
Interest on notes receivable
                                  (16 )           (16 )
 
Issuance of 40,161 shares of treasury stock for Company’s match of 401(k) plan contribution
          (123 )           243                         120  
 
Capital withdrawal by principal stockholder
          (49 )                                   (49 )
 
Unamortized stock compensation
          (4,095 )                 4,543                   448  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balances, December 31, 2001
    130       93,551       11,801       (7,028 )           (1,296 )     (1,361 )     95,797  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
   
Net income
                20,436                               20,436  
     
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax
                                        489       489  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
       
Total comprehensive income
                20,436                         489       20,925  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Issuance of 15,553 shares of common stock in connection with stock option exercises
          88                                     88  
 
Interest on notes receivable
                                  (47 )           (47 )
 
Repayments on notes receivable
                                  509             509  
 
Issuance of 200,289 shares of treasury stock for Company’s match of 401(k) plan contribution
          (1,486 )           2,490                         1,004  
 
Non-cash stock compensation expense
          52                                     52  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balances, December 31, 2002
    130       92,205       32,237       (4,538 )           (834 )     (872 )     118,328  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
   
Net income
                19,695                               19,695  
   
Accumulated benefit obligation, net of tax
                                        (866 )     (866 )
     
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax
                                        20       20  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
       
Total comprehensive income
                19,695                         (846 )     18,849  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Issuance of 939,019 shares of common stock in connection with stock option exercises
    2       5,956                                     5,958  
 
Interest on notes receivable
                                  (9 )           (9 )
 
Tax benefit from employee stock options
          985                                     985  
 
Repayments on notes receivable
                                  518             518  
 
Issuance of 221,290 shares of treasury stock for Company’s match of 401(k) plan contribution
          82             1,291                         1,373  
 
Non-cash stock compensation expense
          219                                     219  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balances, December 31, 2003
  $ 132     $ 99,447     $ 51,932     $ (3,247 )   $     $ (325 )   $ (1,718 )   $ 146,221  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                 
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
 
Net income
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
   
Depreciation and amortization
    27,849       28,083       48,127  
   
Amortization of deferred financing fees
    549       776       1,494  
   
Deferred income taxes
    3,057       (1,234 )     (5,644 )
   
Non-cash stock option compensation expense
    219       52       448  
   
Non-cash 401(k) contribution in common stock
    1,373       1,004       120  
   
Tax benefit related to employee stock options
    985              
   
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiary
                (282 )
   
Impairment of other assets
                 
   
Loss on interest rate swap agreement
          1,204        
   
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
    (783 )     1,124        
   
Non-cash other charges
    2,433       2,027        
   
Non-cash withdrawal by principal shareholder
                (49 )
   
Non-cash interest earned on notes from officers
    (9 )     (47 )     (16 )
   
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
                       
     
Trade accounts receivable
    2,190       6,079       15,368  
     
List brokerage trade accounts receivable
    3,791       3,981       (3,493 )
     
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (802 )     2,819       198  
     
Deferred marketing costs
    (3,711 )     312       411  
     
Accounts payable
    930       3,618       (4,221 )
     
List brokerage trade accounts payable
    (3,229 )     (4,167 )     1,050  
     
Income taxes receivable and payable, net
    (5,089 )     (743 )     8,297  
     
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue
    7,116       (12,122 )     (12,223 )
     
     
     
 
       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    56,564       53,202       54,549  
     
     
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
 
Purchases of marketable securities
    (3,350 )           (1,000 )
 
Proceeds on sale of marketable securities
    747              
 
Purchase of other investments
          (76 )     (32 )
 
Purchases of property and equipment
    (5,482 )     (2,867 )     (5,876 )
 
Acquisitions of businesses and minority interests, net of cash acquired
    (5,763 )     (9,793 )     (22,738 )
 
Software development costs
    (1,143 )     (2,013 )     (2,382 )
     
     
     
 
       
Net cash used in investing activities
    (14,991 )     (14,749 )     (32,028 )
     
     
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
 
Repayments of long-term debt
    (150,784 )     (36,107 )     (41,931 )
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
    100,000             2,437  
 
Deferred financing costs
    (864 )     (1,040 )     (338 )
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and collection of notes
    6,476       597        
     
     
     
 
       
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (45,172 )     (36,550 )     (39,832 )
     
     
     
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (3,599 )     1,903       (17,311 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    6,285       4,382       21,693  
     
     
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 2,686     $ 6,285     $ 4,382  
     
     
     
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
                       
 
Interest paid
  $ 11,263     $ 15,685     $ 24,588  
     
     
     
 
 
Income taxes paid
  $ 12,203     $ 16,297     $ 8,230  
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
1. General

      infoUSA Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) provide business and consumer marketing information products and data processing services throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. These products include customized business lists, business directories and other information services.

      Reclassifications. In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13 and Technical Corrections.” SFAS No. 145, among other things, rescinds SFAS No. 4 which required all gains and losses from the extinguishments of debt to be classified as an extraordinary item and amends SFAS No. 13 to require that certain lease modification that have economic effect similar to sale-leaseback transactions be accounted for in the same manner as sale-leaseback transactions. Upon adoption of the new accounting standard in 2003, the Company was required to reclassify the extraordinary item of $1.8 million related to the extinguishment of debt as reported in the 2002 consolidated statement of operations. The reclassification increased other charges expense by $2.9 million and decreased income tax expense by $1.1 million.

 
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

      Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

      Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents, consisting of highly liquid debt instruments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and when purchased have an original maturity of three months or less, are carried at cost which approximates fair value.

      Trade Accounts Receivable. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience by industry and national economic data. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectibility. All other balances are reviewed on a pooled basis. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

      Marketable Securities. Marketable securities have been classified as available-for-sale and are therefore carried at fair value, which are estimated based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effects, are reported as other comprehensive income (loss) within the statement of stockholders’ equity until realized. Realized gains and losses are determined by the specific identification method. For investments in common stock where the Company has a 20 percent or less ownership interest and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee’s operating and financial policies, the cost method is used to account for the investment.

      Management monitors and evaluates the financial performance of the businesses in which it invests and compares the carrying value of the investment to quoted market prices (if available), or the fair values of similar investments. When circumstances indicate that a decline in the fair value of the investment has occurred and the decline is other-than-temporary, the Company records the decline in value as a realized impairment loss and a reduction in the cost of the investment. Impairment losses from other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the Company’s investments were $1.1 million in 2002 and are included in other charges on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      List brokerage trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable. For all list brokerage services, the Company serves as a broker between unrelated parties who wish to purchase a certain list and unrelated parties who have the desired list for sale. Accordingly, the Company recognizes trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable, reflecting a “gross-up” of the two concurrent transactions. The transactions are not structured to provide for the right of offset. List brokerage sales revenues are recognized net of costs on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

      Advertising Costs. Direct marketing costs associated with the mailing and printing of brochures and catalogs are capitalized and amortized over six months, the period corresponding to the estimated revenue stream of the individual advertising activities. All other advertising costs are expensed as the advertising takes place. Total unamortized marketing costs at December 31, 2003 and 2002, was $5.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Total advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 was $25.3 million, $15.1 million, and $12.2 million, respectively.

      Property and Equipment. Property and equipment (including equipment acquired under capital leases) are stated at cost and are depreciated or amortized primarily using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

     
Building and improvements
  30 years
Office furniture and equipment
  7 years
Computer equipment
  3 years
Capitalized equipment leases
  5 years

      Intangibles. Intangible assets are stated at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

     
Distribution networks
  2 years
Noncompete agreements
  Term of agreements
Purchased data processing software
  2 to 7 years
Database costs
  1 to 5 years
Core technology costs
  3 years
Customer base costs
  3 to 15 years
Tradename costs
  10 to 20 years
Perpetual software license agreement
  10 years
Software development costs
  1 to 5 years

      Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company evaluated the recoverability of goodwill pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 17, “Intangible Assets,” and used estimates of future cash flows in periodically evaluating goodwill for impairment. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value.

      Goodwill resulting from acquisitions of businesses and minority interests after June 30, 2001, are not subject to amortization in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company completed a discounted cash flow valuation analysis for six reporting units according to the guidance provided by FSAB 142.

      Software Capitalization. Until technological feasibility is established, software development costs are expensed as incurred. After that time, direct costs are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method, over one year to five years. Unamortized software costs included in intangible assets at December 31, 2003 and 2002, were $2.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively. Amortization of capitalized costs during the

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, totaled approximately $2.6 million, $4.0 million, and $7.0 million, respectively.

      Database Development Costs. Costs to maintain and enhance the Company’s existing business and consumer databases are expensed as incurred. Costs to develop new databases, which primarily represent direct external costs, are capitalized with amortization beginning upon successful completion of the compilation project. Database development costs are amortized straight-line over the expected lives of the databases generally ranging from one to five years. Unamortized database development costs were $149 thousand at December 31, 2003. There were no unamortized database development costs at December 31, 2002. Amortization of capitalized costs during the years ended December 31, 2003, and 2002 totaled approximately $0 thousand, and $10 thousand, respectively.

      Long-lived assets. All of the Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized in operating results. The impairment loss is measured using discounted cash flows or quoted market prices, when available. The Company also periodically reevaluates the remaining useful lives of its long-lived assets based on the original intended and expected future use or benefit to be derived from the assets. Changes in estimated useful lives are reflected prospectively by amortizing the remaining book value at the date of the change over the adjusted remaining estimated useful life.

      Revenue Recognition. The Company’s revenue is primarily generated from the sale of its products and services and the licensing of its data to third parties. Revenue from sales lead and directory products is recognized when the product is shipped. Revenue for consumer products sold through retail distribution channels is recognized when sold by the merchant. Revenue from database and data processing services is recognized on a time and materials basis as services are rendered. Revenue from data licensing arrangements sold with updates is recognized on a straight-line basis over the license term.

      Reserves are established for estimated returns and uncollectible amounts on sales of product where the customer has the right of return. Royalty revenue is recognized at the time it is earned under the Company’s license agreements. Advertising revenue is typically derived from advertising agreements in which the Company receives a fixed fee or a fee based on a per impression or click through basis and is recognized as the Company fulfills the terms of the agreement. Revenue from revenue-sharing agreements is recognized after the transaction has occurred and in the period the obligation to pay is reported by the product or service provider.

      Stock-based compensation. The Company and its subsidiaries account for its employee stock options using the intrinsic value method. When both the number of shares that an individual employee is entitled to receive and the option price are known at the grant date, total compensation cost for the Company’s grant of stock options to employees is measured at the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized as expense over the periods in which the employee performs the related services, which is generally presumed to be the vesting period.

      Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of grant. SFAS No. 123 also allows entities, as the Company has elected, to continue to use an intrinsic value method of measuring compensation expense and provide pro forma net income disclosure as if the fair-value method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. Had the Company determined

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income would have been:

                         
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income — as reported
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964  
Stock based compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of tax
    (2,193 )     (1,178 )     (2,288 )
Stock based compensation expense previously recognized under APB No. 25, net of tax
                221  
     
     
     
 
Net income — pro forma
  $ 17,502     $ 19,258     $ 2,897  
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings per share — as reported
    0.38       0.40       0.10  
Basic earnings per share — pro forma
    0.34       0.38       0.06  
Diluted earnings per share — as reported
    0.38       0.40       0.10  
Diluted earnings per share — pro forma
    0.34       0.38       0.06  

      The above pro forma results are not likely to be representative of the effects on reported net income for future years since options vest over several years.

      The fair value of the weighted average of each year’s option grants is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants in 2003, 2002 and 2001: expected volatility of 78.88% (2003), 11.94% (2002) and 12.34% (2001); risk free interest rate based on the U.S. Treasury strip yield at the date of grant; and expected lives of 4 to 6 years.

      Compensation cost for stock options and warrants granted to non-employees and vendors is measured based upon the fair value of the stock option or warrant granted. When the performance commitment of the non-employee or vendor is not complete as of the grant date, the Company estimates the total compensation cost using a fair value method at the end of each period. Generally, the final measurement of compensation cost occurs when the non-employee or vendors related performance commitment is complete. Changes, either increases or decreases, in the estimated fair value of the options between the date of the grant and the final vesting of the options result in a change in the measure of compensation cost for the stock options or warrants. Compensation cost is recognized as expense over the periods in which the benefit is received.

      Income Taxes. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances, if any, are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

      Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. In June 1998 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities.” In June 2000 the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activity, an Amendment of SFAS 133.” SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138 require that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138 are effective for all fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2000; the Company adopted SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138 on January 1, 2001. In

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

accordance with the transition provisions of SFAS 133, the Company recorded a net-of-tax cumulative-effect-type adjustment of $0.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive income to recognize at fair value the Company’s interest rate swap which was designated as a cash-flow hedging instrument.

      All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value” hedge) or a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow” hedge). The Company formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively and records changes in fair value of the derivative to income (loss).

      Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item.

      Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including contingently issuable shares. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted number of common shares outstanding, including contingently issuable shares, plus dilutive potential common shares outstanding (representing outstanding stock options).

      The following data show the amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effect on the weighted average number of shares of dilutive potential common stock. In 2001, the exercise price of all outstanding options were higher than the average market price of the underlying common stock and were therefore not dilutive. Certain options on shares of common stock were not included in computing diluted earnings because their effects were antidilutive.

                         
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in basic EPS
    51,576       51,170       50,651  
Net additional common equivalent shares outstanding after assumed exercise of stock options
    138       23        
     
     
     
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in diluted EPS
    51,714       51,193       50,651  
     
     
     
 

      Use of Estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

      New Accounting Standards. In May 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued EITF 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. EITF 00-21 addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting. EITF 00-21 is effective for revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. EITF 00-21 has not had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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      In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability. The provisions of this statement are effective for financial instruments entered into of modified after May 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, management believes that SFAS No. 150 has no significant effect on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

      In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. As of December 31, 2003, management believes that SFAS No. 149 does not have a significant effect on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

      In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB interpretation No. 46 (Revised), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN No. 46(R) address consolidation by business enterprises of certain variable interest entities. Under the guidance of FIN 46(R), entities that do not have interests in structures that are commonly referred to as special purpose entities are required to apply the provisions of the interpretation in financial statements for periods ending after March 31, 2004. The Company does not currently have any variable interest entities; therefore FIN No. 46(R) will not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

      In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” an interpretation of SFAS No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34. This interpretation requires additional disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also specifies the requirements for liability recognition (at fair value) for obligations undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual financial statements ending after December 15, 2002, (December 31, 2002 financial statements for calendar year companies). The initial recognition and measurement provisions are effective for all guarantees within the scope of Interpretation 45 issued or modified after December 31, 2002. Interpretation No. 45 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

      In June 2002, the FASB released SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” which addresses accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, and nullifies EITF 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to exit an Activity.” SFAS No. 146 addresses involuntary one-time employee termination benefits, cost to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease, and other associated exit costs. Existing accounting guidelines require companies to recognize a liability when management commits itself or announces plans to exit or dispose of an activity. SFAS No. 146 will prohibit companies from recognizing an exit or disposal liability that cannot be measured at fair value. The Company has applied the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for liability recognition for severance liability recognition and disposal activities that have been initiated after December 31, 2002.

      In September 2001, the FASB released SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. SFAS No. 143 requires recognition of asset retirement obligations as a liability rather than a contra-asset. SFAS No. 143 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2003. SFAS No. 143 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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3. Acquisitions

      During 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company completed several acquisitions of businesses. Each acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Capitalized purchase of the acquisitions included direct costs of acquisition of $0.7 million, $1.4 million and $0.3 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, in addition to amounts described below. The results of each acquired business has been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

      In September 2003, the Company purchased the assets of LTWC Corporation (“Markado”), a provider of email marketing services. Total consideration for the acquisition was cash of $1.0 million. The purchase price for the acquisition has been preliminarily allocated to current assets of $0.3 million, property and equipment of $0.1 million and goodwill of $0.6 million.

      In March 2003, the Company acquired all issued and outstanding common stock of Yesmail, Inc., a provider of email acquisition and retention services. The acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the operating results of Yesmail, Inc. have been included in the Company’s financial statements since the date of acquisition. Total consideration for the acquisition was cash of $5.0 million. The purchase price for the acquisition had been preliminarily allocated to current assets of $3.1 million, property and equipment of $1.4 million, current liabilities of $3.7 million and goodwill of $4.2 million. The transaction is subject to purchase price adjustment represented by an adjustment for finalized working capital and a two-year escrow for other contingent items specified within the merger agreement. During 2003, the Company recorded an adjustment for finalized working capital resulting in an increase to current assets of $1.0 million and an increase to current liabilities of $0.1 million. Intangibles recorded as part of the purchase as of December 31, 2003 total $3.3 million.

      In December 2002, the Company acquired all issued and outstanding stock of ClickAction Inc., a provider of email marketing automation solutions. Total consideration for the acquisition included cash of $4.1 million. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated to current assets of $3.1 million (including cash acquired of $1.5 million), property and equipment of $1.0 million, other assets of $1.4 million, current liabilities of $1.8 million, long-term liabilities of $0.1 million and goodwill of $0.5 million.

      In September 2002, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of City Publishing Company, Inc., a business directory provider. Total consideration for the acquisition included cash of $1.6 million. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated to current assets of $0.4 million, property and equipment of $20 thousand, current liabilities of $0.6 million and goodwill of $1.8 million.

      In June 2002, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Hill-Donnelly Inc., a business directory provider. Total consideration for the acquisition included cash of $1.8 million. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated to current assets of $0.3 million, property and equipment of $0.2 million, current liabilities of $0.1 million and goodwill of $1.4 million.

      In April 2002, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Key Contacts, Inc., a Canadian database list business. Total consideration for the acquisition was cash of $194 thousand. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated to property and equipment of $5 thousand, current liabilities of $34 thousand and goodwill of $223 thousand.

      In March 2002, the Company acquired the e-mail list business of DoubleClick, Inc. through an acquisition of assets and the assumption of certain liabilities. Total consideration for the acquisition was cash of $2.0 million. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated to current assets of $3.7 million, current liabilities of $2.0 million and goodwill of $0.3 million.

      In January 2002, the Company acquired all issued and outstanding common stock of Database Concepts, Inc., a Canadian database development business. Total consideration for the acquisition was cash of

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$224 thousand. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated to current assets of $44 thousand, property and equipment of $8 thousand, current liabilities of $160 thousand and goodwill of $332 thousand.

      In October 2001, the Company purchased the business of Polk City Directories through an acquisition of assets from Equifax. Polk City Directories provides printed reference guides listing business and residential information, that will complement and expand our state and national directory product offerings. Total consideration for the acquisition was $6.0 million in cash. During 2001, the Company recorded goodwill of $4.4 million in its preliminary purchase price allocation of the net assets acquired. During 2002, the Company completed the allocation of the purchase price for Polk City Directories, resulting in a reclassification of $0.5 million from current assets to goodwill. Intangibles recorded as part of the purchase included goodwill of $4.9 million.

      In August 2001, the Company purchased the minority interest of its subsidiary, infoUSA.com, through the acquisition of assets. Total consideration for the acquisition was $24.7 million, comprised of $15.7 million of restricted cash, $3.0 million cash provided by operations and a $6.0 million subordinated note, bearing 6% interest and payable in two years. Intangible assets recorded as a result of the purchase include goodwill of $19.6 million.

      Operating results for each of these acquisitions are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations from the respective acquisition dates. Assuming the above-described companies had been acquired on January 1, 2002, included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, unaudited pro forma consolidated net sales, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share would have been as follows:

                 
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31,
2003 2002


(In thousands, except per
share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Net sales
  $ 315,187     $ 339,236  
Net income (loss)
  $ 17,786     $ 838  
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.34     $ 0.02  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.34     $ 0.02  

      The pro forma information provided above does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that would actually have resulted if the acquisitions were made as of those dates or of results which may occur in the future. Pro forma net income includes adjustments for amortization of intangible assets and income taxes.

 
4. Marketable Securities

      At December 31, 2003, marketable securities available for-sale consists of common stock and mutual funds, which the Company records at fair market value. Any unrealized holding gains or losses are excluded from net income and reported as a component of comprehensive income. For the year ended December 31, 2003, there were proceeds of $747 thousand and a realized gain of $163 thousand. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, there were no proceeds or realized gains from the sale of marketable securities.

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5. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

      The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

                             
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Unrealized gain (loss) from investments:
                       
 
Unrealized gains (losses)
  $ (291 )   $ (329 )   $ (268 )
 
Related tax expense
    111       125       102  
     
     
     
 
   
Net
    (180 )     (204 )     (166 )
     
     
     
 
Unrealized gain (loss) pension plan:
                       
 
Unrealized gains (losses)
  $ (1,397 )            
 
Related tax expense
    531              
     
     
     
 
   
Net
    (866 )            
     
     
     
 
Interest rate swap agreement:
                       
 
Gains (losses)
                (850 )
 
Related tax expense
                323  
     
     
     
 
   
Net
                (527 )
     
     
     
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (672 )     (668 )     (668 )
     
     
     
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (1,718 )   $ (872 )   $ (1,361 )
     
     
     
 
 
6. Property and Equipment
                     
December 31, December 31,
2003 2002


(In thousands)
Land and improvements
  $ 3,955     $ 3,225  
Buildings and improvements
    33,008       31,037  
Furniture and equipment
    69,855       65,519  
Capitalized equipment leases
    15,502       16,046  
     
     
 
      122,320       115,827  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization:
               
 
Owned property
    74,471       61,732  
 
Capitalized equipment leases
    6,865       8,339  
     
     
 
   
Property and equipment, net
  $ 40,984     $ 45,756  
     
     
 

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7. Intangible Assets

      Intangible assets consist of the following:

                 
December 31, December 31,
2003 2002


(In thousands)
Goodwill
  $ 261,398     $ 269,452  
Noncompete agreements
    13,534       13,534  
Core technology
    4,800       4,800  
Customer base
    8,372       8,372  
Trade names
    15,815       15,802  
Purchased data processing software
    73,478       73,478  
Acquired database costs
    19,000       19,000  
Perpetual software license agreement
    2,933       8,000  
Software development costs
    2,128       3,826  
Database costs
    149        
Deferred financing costs
    8,216       9,080  
     
     
 
      409,823       425,344  
Less accumulated amortization
    162,214       152,098  
     
     
 
    $ 247,609     $ 273,246  
     
     
 

      During 2003, the Company finalized the purchase price allocation for several acquisitions that resulted in a reduction of goodwill and deferred tax liabilities of approximately $13.5 million. The remaining change in goodwill was a result of acquisitions in 2003 which increased goodwill by approximately $5.5 million.

      Beginning January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 142. As a result, goodwill is no longer amortized but is tested for impairment in the fourth quarter every year or more often if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment loss has been incurred, by comparing each reporting unit’s implied fair value to its carrying value. Prior to adoption of SFAS 142, amortization expense for goodwill of $16.5 million, net of tax benefit of $1.5 million, was recorded during 2001 that was not recorded during 2002 or 2003.

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      Assuming the provisions of SFAS 142 had been implemented as of January 1, 2001, adjusted net income and earnings per share would have been:

                         
For the Years Ended,

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



Reported net income
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 4,964  
Goodwill amortization, net of tax
                15,054  
     
     
     
 
Adjusted net income
  $ 19,695     $ 20,436     $ 20,018  
     
     
     
 
Reported income from continuing operations
  $ 0.38     $ 0.43     $ 0.10  
Goodwill amortization, net of tax
                0.30  
     
     
     
 
Adjusted income from continuing operations
  $ 0.38     $ 0.43     $ 0.40  
     
     
     
 
Reported net income per share
  $ 0.38     $ 0.40     $ 0.10  
Goodwill amortization, net of tax
                0.30  
     
     
     
 
Adjusted net income per share
  $ 0.38     $ 0.40     $ 0.40  
     
     
     
 

      Future amounts by calendar year for amortization of intangibles as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

         
2004
  $ 12,653  
2005
    12,040  
2006
    7,459  
2007
    2,160  
2008
    1,019  

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8. Financing Arrangements

      Long-term debt consists of the following:

                 
December 31, December 31,
2003 2002


(In thousands)
9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
  $ 30,020     $ 97,000  
Senior Secured Credit Facilities — Term A Loan
          34,250  
Senior Secured Credit Facilities — Term B Loan
          40,750  
Senior Secured Credit Facilities — Term Loan
    88,750        
Senior Secured Credit Facilities — Revolving Credit Facility
    9,000        
Mortgage note, collateralized by deed of trust. Note bears a variable interest rate of Libor plus 2.75%. Principal is due October 2006. Interest is payable monthly
    6,860       7,516  
Mortgage note, collateralized by deed of trust. Note bears a variable interest rate of Libor plus 2.50%. Principal is due August 2006. Interest is payable monthly
    2,033       2,201  
Uncollateralized note payable for purchase of infoUSA.com minority interest. Note bears a fixed interest rate of 6.0%. Principal due August 2003. Interest is payable monthly
          6,000  
Collateralized note payable for equipment. Note bears a variable interest rate of Libor plus 2.25%. Principal is due October 2005. Interest is payable monthly
    1,338       2,128  
Collateralized note payable for equipment. Note bears a fixed interest rate of 4.50%. Principal is due April 2006. Interest is payable monthly
    326        
Collateralized note payable for equipment. Note bears a fixed interest rate of 4.30%. Principal is due June 2006. Interest is payable monthly
    255        
Uncollateralized note payable for leasehold improvements. Note bears a fixed interest rate of 5.0%. Principal due September 2003. Interest is payable quarterly
          75  
Capital lease obligations (See Note 15)
    1,183       508  
     
     
 
      139,765       190,428  
Less current portion
    17,280       26,312  
     
     
 
Long-term debt
  $ 122,485     $ 164,116  
     
     
 

      Future maturities by calendar year of long-term debt as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

         
2004
  $ 17,280  
2005
    28,025  
2006
    29,440  
2007
    35,000  
2008
    30,020  
Thereafter
     
     
 
Total
  $ 139,765  
     
 

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      In May 27, 2003 the Company amended and restated the Senior Secured Credit Facility administered by Bank of America, N.A. The total credit available was increased from $110 million to $145 million. The existing term loans A and B were combined into a single term loan of $100 million maturing April 30, 2007. In addition, the revolving credit facility of $18 million was increased to $45 million and is due May 27, 2006, reducing to $40 million on April 1, 2004 and reducing to $35 million on April 1, 2005. During 2003, the Company expensed $0.8 million in non-amortized costs associated with retirement of the previous facility and $0.8 million in bank fees associated with the new facility, which are classified as other charges in the statement of operations.

      The Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for grid-based interest pricing based upon the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and ranges from base rate + 1.00% to 2.00% for base rate loans and from LIBOR + 2.00% to 3.00% for LIBOR loans for use of the revolving credit facility. The term loan interest rate is base rate + 3.00% or LIBOR + 4.00%. Substantially all of the assets of the Company are pledged as security under the terms of the credit facility. At December 31, 2003, the term loan had a balance of $88.8 million with an interest rate of 5.14% and $36.0 million was available under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.35% and 0.50%, dependent on the consolidated leverage ratio, on the average unused amount of the revolving credit facility.

      During 2002, the Company wrote-off deferred financing costs of $2.9 million in connection with the refinancing of its Senior Secured Credit Facility. Additionally, the refinancing resulted in a loss of $1.2 million for the reclassification of interest rate swap agreement from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

      During 2003, the Company purchased $67 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes of which $11.5 million of the notes were held by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. All purchases of 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes occurred at the same price and under the same terms. As part of these purchases, the Company recorded charges of $1.6 million for related net non-amortized debt issue costs and $3.1 million for amounts paid in excess of carrying value of the debt. The remaining outstanding notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, on or after June 15, 2003, at designated redemption prices outlined in the Indenture governing the Notes, plus any accrued interest to the date of redemption. In the event of a change in control, each holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase such holder’s Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued interest to the repurchase date.

      The Company is subject to certain financial covenants in the Credit Facility and for the Notes, including minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, maximum consolidated leverage ratio and minimum consolidated EBITDA. Management believes the Company is in compliance with or has obtained waivers for all restrictive covenants of the Company’s various debt facilities.

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9. Income Taxes

      The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

                           
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands)
Current:
                       
 
Federal
  $ 20,244     $ 15,390     $ 10,441  
 
State
    1,754       1,385       900  
     
     
     
 
      21,998       16,775       11,341  
     
     
     
 
Deferred:
                       
 
Federal
    (9,143 )     (3,694 )     28  
 
State
    (783 )     (368 )     2  
     
     
     
 
      (9,926 )     (4,062 )     30  
     
     
     
 
    $ 12,072     $ 12,713     $ 11,371  
     
     
     
 

      The effective income tax rate for continuing operations varied from the Federal statutory rate as follows:

                         
For the Years Ended

December 31, December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands)
Expected Federal income taxes at statutory rate of 35%
  $ 11,118     $ 11,602     $ 5,724  
State taxes, net of Federal effects
    631       661       586  
Amortization of nondeductible intangibles
                4,577  
Other
    323       450       484  
     
     
     
 
    $ 12,072     $ 12,713     $ 11,371  
     
     
     
 

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      The components of the net deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:

                     
December 31, December 31,
2003 2002


(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
               
 
Unrealized losses
  $ 111     $ 125  
 
Other than temporary decline
          427  
 
Pension plan obligation
    531        
 
Accounts receivable
    828       1,130  
 
Accrued vacation
    1,293       1,192  
 
Depreciation
    326       440  
 
Net operating losses
    1,304       1,371  
     
     
 
      4,393       4,685  
     
     
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
 
Intangible assets
    (11,816 )     (23,869 )
 
Deferred marketing costs
    (2,074 )     (663 )
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (2,297 )     (2,390 )
     
     
 
      (16,187 )     (26,922 )
     
     
 
   
Net deferred tax liabilities
  $ (11,794 )   $ (22,237 )
     
     
 

      The Company had no valuation allowance at December 31, 2003 or 2002. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, carryback opportunities, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

      The Company had net operating loss carryforwards (NOL’s) for tax purposes of $3.4 million at December 31, 2003 that will begin to expire in 2017. All of the NOL’s are attributable to the pre-acquisition periods of acquired subsidiaries. The utilization of these NOL’s may be limited pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as a result of these prior ownership changes.

 
10. Stock Option Plans

      As of December 31, 2003, 4.8 million options to purchase the Company’s Common Stock were issued and outstanding, 2.4 million exercisable to officers, key employees and non-employee directors under the Company’s Stock Option Plan. Options are generally granted at the stock’s fair market value on the date of grant, vest generally over a four or five year period and expire five or six years, respectively, from date of grant. Options issued to shareholders holding 10% or more of the Company’s stock have generally been issued at 110% of the stock’s fair market value on the date of grant and vest over periods ranging from five to six years with early vesting if certain financial goals are met. Certain options issued to directors at the stock’s fair market value vested immediately and expire five years from grant date. On January 20, 2004, the company announced the implementation of a management stock purchase plan and that it would discontinue granting stock options, effective immediately.

      The Company’s former subsidiary, infoUSA.com, sponsored an Equity Incentive Plan in which shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the subsidiary.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

No options were granted during 2001. The Company recorded a non-cash charge of $0.4 million during 2001, related to the issuance of stock options and warrants of infoUSA.com common stock prior to 2001 at exercise prices that were less than the estimated fair value of the former subsidiary’s stock. Options to purchase common stock of the infoUSA.com subsidiary were effectively retired with the Company’s acquisition of the minority interest during 2001. The Company reduced additional paid-in-capital and unamortized stock compensation by $4.2 million in connection with this transaction.

      In October 2001, the Company implemented a stock option program for certain executive employees whereby fully vested options to purchase 320,000 shares of common stock were issued at fair value on the grant date. The options were immediately exercised by the employees and, in lieu of cash for the exercise price, the Company accepted full recourse notes receivable of $1.2 million from the employees for the exercise price. The notes receivable bear interest at an annual rate of 5%. The grant of stock options has been accounted for using fixed plan accounting under APB 25 because, in management’s view, the interest rates on the notes are at market rates, the employees have sufficient personal assets to back the notes and the Company has the intent to exercise its recourse rights against the employee’s personal assets in the event of a default. At December 31, 2003, the notes receivable had a balance of $325 thousand and is in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet.

      During 2002, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to a non-employee consultant of the Company in connection with a consulting agreement executed by the Company. The options vest evenly over four years and have a five-year life. The fair value of the option was estimated, as of the grant date, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: no dividend yield for any year, expected volatility of 78.88%, risk free interest rate of 3.12% and an expected life of 5 years. During 2003 and 2002, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $219 thousand and $52 thousand, respectively, related to stock options granted to the consultant. The consulting agreement also commits the Company to make cash payments of $775 thousand and $200 thousand in 2004 and 2005, respectively, to the consultant for services rendered. Expense recorded for the cash consulting fees was $667 thousand and $450 thousand for 2003 and 2002, respectively.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The following information relates to options to purchase the Company’s common stock:

                                                 
December 31, 2003 December 31, 2002 December 31, 2001
Weighted Average Weighted Average Weighted Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise



Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price






Outstanding beginning of period
    5,560,384     $ 8.08       6,547,402     $ 8.54       7,129,381     $ 8.66  
Granted
    1,405,000       7.38       1,300,000       9.82       2,268,000       7.38  
Exercised
    (939,019 )     6.35       (15,553 )     5.75       (320,000 )     4.00  
Forfeited/expired
    (1,236,280 )     8.99       (2,271,465 )     10.17       (2,529,979 )     8.41  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Outstanding end of period
    4,790,085     $ 7.98       5,560,384     $ 8.08       6,547,402     $ 8.54  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Options exercisable at end of period
    2,355,230     $ 7.80       3,014,616     $ 7.65       3,748,173     $ 9.13  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Shares available for options that may be granted
    621,970               901,753               4,306,948          
     
             
             
         
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options, granted during the period — exercise price equals stock price at grant
          $ 4.79             $ 6.49             $ 2.27  
             
             
             
 

      The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2003:

                                         
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable


Weighted-
Average Weighted- Weighted-
Remaining Average Average
Number Contractual Exercise Number Exercise
Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding Life Price Exercisable Price






$4.28 to $5.70
    64,757       4.0 years     $ 5.03       63,589     $ 5.03  
$5.70 to $7.13
    1,642,984       1.9 years       6.52       1,114,103       6.58  
$7.13 to $8.55
    2,258,803       3.4 years       8.32       796,294       8.45  
$9.98 to $11.40
    763,541       3.3 years       10.00       322,496       10.00  
$11.40 to $12.83
    10,000       1.0 years       12.63       9,791       12.63  
$12.83 to $14.25
    50,000       1.0 years       13.13       48,957       13.13  
     
     
     
     
     
 
$4.28 to $14.25
    4,790,085       2.8 years     $ 7.98       2,355,230     $ 7.80  
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
11. Savings Plan

      Employees who meet certain eligibility requirements can participate in the Company’s 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. Under the Plan, the Company may, at its discretion, match a percentage of the employee contributions. The Company recorded administration expenses for matching contributions totaling $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $1.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

      The Company can make matching contributions to its 401(k) Plan using treasury stock or in cash. Contribution expense is measured as the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. During 2003, the Company contributed 221,291 shares at a recorded value of $1.4 million. During 2002, the

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Company contributed 200,289 shares at a recorded value of $1.0 million. During 2001, the Company contributed 40,161 shares at a recorded value of $120 thousand.

 
12. Related Party Transactions

      During 2003, the Company purchased the rights to a skybox at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln football stadium for $617 thousand from Annapurna Corporation, which is 100% owned by Mr. Gupta, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The cost covers the remaining 21 years of the lease and has been recorded in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Expense recognized for 2003 was $17 thousand. The Company also purchased $11.5 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes from Mr. Gupta at the same terms and prices offered to unrelated parties.

      Mr. Gupta was eligible for a cash bonus in 2002 based on Company performance. The criteria for Mr. Gupta’s bonus specified that he would receive 10% of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA in excess of $80 million. In January 2002, the Company paid an advance of $1.5 million to Mr. Gupta (based on the Company’s 2001 performance) to be off set against any 2002 bonus payable to Mr. Gupta pursuant to his bonus program. The advance was to be applied to part of or his entire 2002 bonus or repaid by Mr. Gupta by January 2004. In May 2002, Mr. Gupta repaid $0.6 million of the original advance, leaving an advance balance of $0.9 million. Mr. Gupta’s 2002 bonus was determined to be $0.4 million. The remaining balance of $0.5 million was awarded as bonus for 2003 and salary for 2004, resulting in the note receivable being paid in full. Mr. Gupta will not be entitled to any bonus in 2004.

      Annapurna Corporation has fractional ownership in certain aircraft with NetJets. Annapurna Corporation bills the Company when the Company’s employees and officers use the aircraft. The Company paid a total of $2.2 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, to Annapurna Corporation for usage of the aircraft and other travel expenses. The Company capitalized acquisition costs related to these payments of $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $49 thousand 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The charges by Annapurna Corporation to the Company are comparable or less than charged by other services such as Marquis, and without any commitment by the Company.

      During 2003, the Company paid $182 thousand of discretionary bonus and expense reimbursement to Alborz Corporation which is 100% owned by Fred Vakili, the Company’s Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Administrative Officer.

      During 2002, the Company paid Everest Asset Management $415 thousand for acquisition-related expenses on certain acquisition transactions. Everest Asset Management is 100% owned by Mr. Gupta.

      The Company paid Everest Investment Management $120 thousand in 2001 for rented office space in a building adjacent to the Company’s facility. Everest Investment Management is 40% owned by Mr. Gupta. During 2001, the Company acquired a building adjacent to the Company’s facility by assuming a mortgage from Everest Investment Management. The purchase price for the building was $2.8 million.

      Mr. Gupta paid for Company expenses totaling $129 thousand in 2001 related to entertainment and investment management services.

      During 2001, the Company invested $1 million in the Everest3 Fund, a blend of three index funds (S&P 500, Dow Jones and NASDAQ 100). Everest Funds Management LLC manages the fund. Mr. Gupta, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, owns 100% of the voting stock in Everest Funds Management LLC.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

      The Company made certain acquisitions during 2003, 2002 and 2001 (See Note 3) and assumed liabilities as follows:

                         
2003 2002 2001



(In thousands)
Fair value of assets
  $ 9,885     $ 13,509     $ 30,894  
Cash paid
    (5,072 )     (9,793 )     (22,738 )
     
     
     
 
Liabilities assumed
  $ 4,813     $ 3,716     $ 8,156  
     
     
     
 

      The Company acquired property and equipment under capital lease obligations or financing arrangements totaling $1.8 million, $738 thousand and $512 thousand, in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 
14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

      The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties.

      The carrying amounts shown in the following table are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions.

                                   
December 31, 2003 December 31, 2002


Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value




(Amounts in thousands)
Financial assets:
                               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,686     $ 2,686     $ 6,285     $ 6,285  
 
Marketable securities
    3,685       3,685       887       887  
 
Other assets — nonmarketable investment securities
    2,494       2,494       3,000       3,000  
Financial liabilities:
                               
 
Long-term debt
    139,765       141,190       190,428       191,482  

      The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

      Cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

      Marketable securities. The fair values of debt securities and equity investments are based on quoted market prices at the reporting date for those or similar investments.

      Other assets, including investments in other companies. Investments in companies not traded on organized exchanges are valued on the basis of comparisons with similar companies whose shares are publicly traded. Values for companies not publicly traded on organized exchanges may also be based on analysis and review of valuations performed by others independent of the Company.

      Long-term debt. The 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due June 2008 are valued based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. All other debt obligations are valued at the discounted amount of future cash flows.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
15. Commitments and Contingencies

      Under the terms of its capital lease agreements, the Company is required to pay ownership costs, including taxes, licenses and maintenance. The Company also leases office space under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2011. Certain of these leases contain renewal options. Rent expense on operating lease agreements was $6.6 million, $5.9 million, and $5.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

      Following is a schedule of the future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2003:

                 
Capital Operating


(In thousands)
2004
  $ 501     $ 6,238  
2005
    401       5,107  
2006
    353       3,747  
2007
          3,297  
2008
          2,477  
Thereafter
          2,115  
     
     
 
Total future minimum lease payments
    1,255     $ 22,981  
             
 
Less amounts representing interest
    (72 )        
     
         
Present value of net minimum lease payments
  $ 1,183          
     
         

      The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in other legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that any resulting liability should not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 
16. Acquisition Costs, Litigation Settlement Charges, Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges

      On May 14, 2002, a principal of one of the acquisitions made by the Company in 1996 was awarded $1.7 million by an arbitrator for settlement of a dispute regarding exercise of stock options issued by the Company. Although the Company appealed the arbitrator’s decision, the Company’s management, under advise from outside counsel, determined during 2003 that the Company was not likely to be successful in the appeal. Consequently, the Company recorded a litigation charge of $1.7 million.

      During 2002 and 2001, the Company settled legal issues totaling $0.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in connection with the settlement of various contractual disputes.

      Included within the accompanying consolidated statement of operations are the following: 1) $57 thousand in 2003 for various acquisitions expenses related to Yesmail and Markado 2) $0.2 million during 2002 related to the various acquisitions made, 3) $0.5 million during 2001 for the acquisition of Polk City Directories from Equifax, Inc. These costs are not direct costs of acquisition and therefore cannot be capitalized as part of the purchase price. Rather, these are general and administrative costs incurred in connection with the integration of these businesses.

      During 2003, the Company recorded restructuring charges for severance costs of $1.9 million for 140 employees terminated during the year. During 2002, the Company recorded restructuring charges for severance costs of $2.5 million for 230 employees terminated during the year. During 2001, the Company recorded the following restructuring charges: 1) $2.1 million severance costs for 265 employees terminated during 2001, and 2) estimated lease termination costs of $2.8 million associated with the infoUSA.com Foster City, California location. As of December 31, 2003, an outstanding accrual of $0.2 million was included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for severance costs remaining to be paid.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The following table summarizes activity related to the restructuring charges recorded by the Company, including the liability accrual balances:

                                 
Beginning Amounts Amounts Ending
Fiscal Year Accrual Expensed Paid Accrual





(In thousands)
2001
  $ 5,598     $ 4,899     $ 10,418     $ 79  
2002
  $ 79     $ 2,531     $ 1,190     $ 1,420  
2003
  $ 1,420     $ 1,861     $ 3,034     $ 247  
 
17. Stock Combination and Stockholders Rights Plan

      The Company has a stockholder rights plans with respect to its common stock. The rights are not exercisable until ten days after a person or group announces the acquisition of 15% or more of the Company’s voting stock or announces a tender offer for 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Each right entitles the holder to purchase common stock at one half the stock’s market value. The rights are redeemable at the Company’s option for $0.001 per Right at any time on or prior to public announcement that a person has acquired 15% or more of the Company’s voting stock. The rights are automatically attached to and trade with each share of common stock.

 
18. Other Charges

      During 2003, the Company recorded other charges totaling $6.4 million. The Company purchased $67 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes of which $11.5 million of the notes were held by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. As part of these purchases, the Company recorded charges of $1.6 million for related net non-amortized debt issue costs and $3.1 million for amounts paid in excess of carrying value of the debt.

      On May 27, 2003 the Company amended and restated the Senior Secured Credit Facility administered by Bank of America, N.A. in order to take advantage of lower interest rates and make significant redemptions of the 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. The total credit available was increased from $110 million to $145 million. The existing term loans A and B were combined into a single term loan of $100 million maturing April 30, 2007. In addition, the revolving credit facility of $18 million was increased to $45 million and is due May 27, 2006, reducing to $40 million on April 1, 2004 and reducing to $35 million on April 1, 2005. The Company expensed $0.8 million in non-amortized costs associated with the issue of the previous facility and $0.8 million in bank fees associated with the new facility, which are classified as other charges in the statement of operations.

      During 2002, the Company recorded other charges totaling $5.5 million for: 1) a loss of $2.8 million for the net unamortized debt issue costs related to the Deutsche Bank credit facility, 2) a loss of $1.1 million for another-than-temporary decline in the value of a nonmarketable equity investment, 3) a loss of $1.2 million for the reclassification of an interest rate swap agreement due to the refinancing of the Company’s senior debt credit facility during the year, and 4) a loss related to the Company’s repurchase of $9.0 million of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. As part of the repurchases, the Company recorded a loss totaling $0.4 million for net unamortized debt issue costs related to the Senior Subordinated Notes and for amounts paid in excess of carrying value of the debt.

 
19. Segment Information

      The Company currently manages existing operations utilizing financial information accumulated and reported for two business segments.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The infoUSA group (formerly known as the small business segment) principally engages in the selling of sales lead generation and consumer DVD products to small to medium sized companies, small office and home office businesses and individual consumers. This segment also includes the sale of content via the Internet.

      The Donnelley group (formerly known as the large business segment) principally engages in the selling of data processing services, licensed databases, database marketing solutions, e-mail marketing solutions and list brokerage and list management services to large companies. This segment includes the licensing of databases for Internet directory assistance services. The infoUSA group and Donnelley group reflect actual net sales, direct order production, and identifiable direct sales and marketing costs related to their operations. The remaining indirect costs are presented as a reconciling item in Corporate Activities.

      Corporate activities principally represent the information systems technology, database compilation, database verification, and administrative functions of the Company. Investment income (loss), interest expense, income taxes, amortization of intangibles, and depreciation expense are only recorded in corporate activities. The Company does not allocate these costs to the two business segments. The infoUSA group and Donnelley group segments reflect actual net sales, direct order production, and identifiable direct sales and marketing-related costs related to their operations. The Company records unusual or non-recurring items including acquisition-related and restructuring charges and provisions for litigation settlement in corporate activities to allow for the analysis of the sales business segments excluding such unusual or non-recurring charges.

      The Company accounts for property and equipment on a consolidated basis. The Company’s property and equipment is shared by the Company’s business segments. Depreciation expense is recorded in corporate activities.

      The Company has no intercompany sales or intercompany expense transactions. Accordingly, there are no adjustments necessary to eliminate amounts between the Company’s segments.

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infoUSA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The following tables summarize certain segment information:

                                 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2003

infoUSA Donnelley Corporate Consolidated
Group Group Activities Total




(In thousands)
Net sales
  $ 155,363     $ 155,982     $     $ 311,345  
Non-cash stock compensation
                219       219  
Restructuring charges
                1,861       1,861  
Provision for litigation settlement
                1,667       1,667  
Acquisition costs
                57       57  
Operating income (loss)
    48,923       76,778       (77,151 )     48,550  
Investment income
                1,149       1,149  
Interest expense
                (11,547 )     (11,547 )
Other charges
                (6,385 )     (6,385 )
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations
    48,923       76,778       (93,934 )     31,767  
                                 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2002

infoUSA Donnelley Corporate Consolidated
Group Group Activities Total




(In thousands)
Net sales
  $ 155,455     $ 147,061     $     $ 302,516  
Non-cash stock compensation
                52       52  
Restructuring charges
                2,531       2,531  
Provision for litigation settlement
                417       417  
Acquisition costs
                181       181  
Operating income (loss)
    60,154       76,920       (82,517 )     54,557  
Investment income
                179       179  
Interest expense
                (16,059 )     (16,059 )
Other charges
                (2,675 )     (2,675 )
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations
    60,154       76,920       (101,072 )     36,002  
                                 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2001

infoUSA Donnelley Corporate Consolidated
Group Group Activities Total




(In thousands)
Net sales
  $ 133,722     $ 155,016     $     $ 288,738  
Non-cash stock compensation
                448       448  
Acquisition costs
                493       493  
Restructuring charges
                4,899       4,899  
Provision for litigation settlement
                1,104       1,104  
Operating income (loss)
    60,447       81,149       (101,211 )     40,385  
Investment income
                953       953  
Interest expense
                (25,285 )     (25,285 )
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations
    60,447       81,149       (125,261 )     16,335  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
20. Subsequent Event

      On February 2, 2004, the Company acquired Triplex Direct Marketing Corp., a provider of data processing services to nonprofit and catalog customers. The total purchase price was $7.6 million, of which, $6.1 million was payable in cash at closing and the remaining $1.5 million will be payable on February 2, 2005 if Triplex satisfies all its representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

infoUSA Inc.:

      Under date of January 15, 2004, except Note 20 which is as of February 2, 2004, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of infoUSA Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, which are included in the Form 10-K. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related financial statement schedule in the Form 10-K. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.

      In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

      As discussed in Note 2 and Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 141, “Business Combinations,” for all acquisitions subsequent to July 1, 2001 and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” as of January 1, 2002.

  /s/ KPMG LLP
 
  KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

January 15, 2004

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SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                           
Additions

Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and Other End of
Description of Period Expenses Accounts* Deductions Period






(In thousands)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
                                       
 
receivable:
                              (A)        
 
December 31, 2001
  $ 2,191     $ 2,878     $     $ 2,114     $ 2,955  
 
December 31, 2002
  $ 2,955     $ 3,843     $ (488 )   $ 3,336     $ 2,974  
 
December 31, 2003
  $ 2,974     $ 2,959     $ 231     $ 3,984     $ 2,180  
Allowance for sales returns:
                              (B)        
 
December 31, 2001
  $ 2,533     $ 3,133     $     $ 3,952     $ 1,714  
 
December 31, 2002
  $ 1,714     $ 1,782     $     $ 2,797     $ 699  
 
December 31, 2003
  $ 699     $ 1,339     $     $ 1,726     $ 312  


 
 * Recorded as a result of acquisitions
 
(A) Charge-offs during the period indicated
 
(B) Returns processed during the period indicated

See accompanying independent auditors’ report.

72


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EXHIBIT INDEX

             
  3.1       Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through October 22, 1999, is Incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed March 20, 2000.
  3.2       Bylaws are incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-42887), which became effective February 18, 1992.
  3.3       Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Participating Preferred Stock, filed in Delaware on October 22,1999, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, Filed March 20, 2000.
  4.1       Preferred Share Rights Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed March 20, 2000.
  4.2       Specimen of Common Stock Certificate is Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended), filed March 20, 2000.
  4.4       Purchase Agreement dated June 12, 1998 between the Company, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Hambrecht & Quist LLC is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1998.
  4.5       Indenture dated as of June 18, 1998 (the “Indenture”) by and between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company of California, N.A., as Trustee is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1998.
  4.6       Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 18, 1998 by and among the Company and BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Hambrecht & Quist LLC as the Initial Purchasers is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1998.
  4.7       Form of New 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Note due 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-61645), filed December 15, 1999.
  4.8       Credit Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., various Lenders (as defined therein) and Bank of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  4.9       Pledge Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., Various Lenders (as defined therein) and Bank of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  4.10       Security Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., various Lenders (as defined therein) and Bank of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  4.11       Subsidiaries Guaranty Agreement by and among infoUSA, Inc., various Lenders (as defined therein) and of America, N.A. dated as of March 6, 2002 and amended May 27, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  10.1       Form of Indemnification Agreement with Officers and Directors is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-51352), filed August 28, 1992.
  10.2       1992 Stock Option Plan as amended is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-37865), filed October 14, 1997.
  10.3       1997 Stock Option Plan as amended is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-82933), filed July 15, 1999.
  10.4       Employment Agreement dated February 11, 1997 between the Company and Allen F. Ambrosino, incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2000.


Table of Contents

             
  10.5       Amended and Restated Database License Agreement between Donnelley Marketing, Inc. and First Data Resources, Inc. dated as of July 23, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999.
  10.6       Covenant not to compete by First Data Corporation to infoUSA Inc. dated as of July 23, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999.
  21.1       Subsidiaries and State of Incorporation, filed herewith.
  23.1       Consent of Independent Accountants, filed herewith.
  24.1       Power of Attorney, filed herewith.
  31.1       Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1       Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.