Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM10-K

FORM 10-K

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2020

2023

OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from      to      .
Commission File Number file number001-39877

890 5th Avenue Partners,

BuzzFeed, Inc.

(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as specifiedSpecified in its charter)Its Charter)

Delaware85-3022075
(State or Other Jurisdictionother jurisdiction of Incorporation)incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
229 West 43rd Street New York, New York10036

14 Elm Place, Suite 206

Rye, NY

10580
(Address of principal executive offices)(zip code)Zip Code)

(575) 914-6575

(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (646) 397-2039

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

Title of Each Classeach classTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchangeeach exchange on Which Registeredwhich registered
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock,Common Stock, $0.0001 par value and one-third of one redeemable warrantThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per shareBZFDThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for sharesone share of common stockClass A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per shareBZFDWThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrantregistrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the pastpreceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirementrequirements for the past 90 days. Yes ¨x No x

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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. x

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer¨oAccelerated filer¨o
Non-accelerated filerxxSmaller reporting companyx
Emerging growth companyx

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ¨

o

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x.Yes o No ¨

x


The registrant was incorporated on September 9, 2020, and has a fiscal year ending on December 31. Therefore, asaggregate market value of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the registrant has not yet completed a second fiscal quarter. Accordingly, there was no market value for the registrant’s shares of common stock on such date.

As of March 31, 2021, 29,527,500 shares of Class A common stock par value $0.0001 per share,held by non-affiliates, based on the closing sale price as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $57.1 million. Shares of common stock beneficially owned by each executive officer, director, and 7,187,500holder of more than 10% of common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.

As of March 27, 2024, there were 140,315,010 shares of the registrant’s Class FA common stock par value $0.0001 per share, were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference: The information contained inoutstanding, 5,473,940 shares of the registrant’s prospectus dated January 11, 2021, as filed withClass B common stock outstanding, and no shares of the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2021, pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) (SEC File No. 333-251650) is incorporated into certain portionsregistrant’s Class C common stock outstanding.



Table of Parts I, II, and III, as disclosed herein.

BUZZFEED, INC.

890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Risk Factors.2
Item 1B.
3
10
20

i

2


Table of PART I

ContentsITEM 1. BUSINESS

In

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K references to the “Company” and to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc., except where the context requires otherwise.

We are a blank check company incorporated on September 9, 2020, as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”). While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geography, we intend to focus on industries that align well with the relationships and experience of our team and sponsor. We will seek to capitalize on the exceptional operating experience, capital markets expertise and vast network of our management team and advisors across the technology, media and telecommunications sectors.

On October 15, 2020, our sponsor, 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), purchased an aggregate of 7,187,500 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which shares were later designated as shares of Class F common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Founder Shares”), for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share. In December 2020, our Sponsor sold 621,222 Founder Shares to PA 2 Co-Investment LLC (“PA 2 Co-Investment”). In January 2021, our Sponsor sold an aggregate of 266,238 Founder Shares to Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”) and its affiliate and an aggregate of 105,000 Founder Shares to our independent director nominees (20,000 Founder Shares to each of Linda Yaccarino, Scott Flanders, David Bank and Jon Jashni, and 25,000 Founder Shares to Kelli Turner), in each case at their original per share purchase price. 937,500 of the Founder Shares were subject to forfeiture depending upon the extent to which the underwriters did not exercise their over-allotment option with respect to our Initial Public Offering (as defined below).

On January 14, 2021, we consummated our initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) of 28,750,000 units (“Units”), which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), and one-third of one redeemable warrant (“Warrant”), each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $287,500,000.

Simultaneously with the consummation of our Initial Public Offering, we consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 777,500 units (the “Private Placement Units”) to our Sponsor, PA 2 Co-Investment, Craig-Hallum and John Lipman at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, generating total gross proceeds to the Company of $7,775,000 (the “Private Placement”). In the Private Placement, our Sponsor purchased 657,500 Private Placement Units, PA 2 Co-Investment purchased 84,000 Private Placement Units, Craig-Hallum purchased 18,000 Private Placement Units and John Lipman purchased 18,000 Private Placement Units. The Private Placement Units are identical to the Units, except that the Private Placement Units (including the underlying securities) are subject to certain transfer restrictions and the holders thereof are entitled to certain registration rights, and, if held by the original holder or their permitted assigns, the underlying warrants (i) may be exercised on a cashless basis, (ii) are not subject to redemption and (iii) with respect to such warrants held by PA 2 Co-Investment, Craig-Hallum and John Lipman, will not be exercisable more than five years from the commencement of sales in the Initial Public Offering. If the Private Placement Units are held by holders other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, then the warrants included in the Private Placement Units will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering.

Following the closing of the over-allotment option and sale of additional Private Placement Units, an aggregate amount of $287,500,000 of the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement has been placed in the trust account established in connection with the Initial Public Offering.


Transaction costs amounted to approximately $6,221,000 in the aggregate consisting of $5,750,000 of underwriting fees and approximately $471,000 of other offering costs. In addition, approximately $1,554,000 of cash was available for working capital purposes, unused portions of which are held outside of the trust account established in connection with the Initial Public Offering.

As a result of the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option in full, 937,500 of the Founder Shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.

For further details regarding our business, see the section titled “Proposed Business” contained in our prospectus dated January 11, 2021, incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For the risks relating to our operations, see the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our prospectus dated January 11, 2021, incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We currently maintain our executive offices at 14 Elm Place, Suite 206, Rye, New York 10580. The cost for this space and any successor space is included in a $20,000 per month fee that we pay to our Sponsor for office space, utilities, general office and secretarial support, and administrative and support services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.


PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our Units are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “ENFAU.” Commencing on March 5, 2021, holders of the Units could elect to separately trade the Class A Common Stock and Warrants comprising the Units. The Class A Common Stock and Warrants that are separated trade on Nasdaq under the symbols “ENFA” and “ENFAW,” respectively. Those Units not separated continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “ENFAU.”

Holders

As of March 31, 2021, there was 1 holder of record of our Units, 1 holder of record of our Class A Common Stock, 9 holders of record of our Class F Common Stock, 1 holder of record of our Warrants, and 4 holders of record of our Private Placement Units. The actual number of holders is greater than this number of registered record holders, and includes holders who are beneficial owners, but whose shares are held in “street name” by brokers and other nominees.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial Business Combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial Business Combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial Business Combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial Business Combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

On October 15, 2020, our Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 7,187,500 Founder Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share, in connection with our organization. Such shares were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”).

On January 14, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 28,750,000 Units, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A Common Stock, and one-third of one redeemable Warrant, each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $287,500,000.

On January 14, 2021, simultaneously with the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 777,500 Private Placement Units to the Sponsor, PA 2 Co-Investment, Craig-Hallum and John Lipman at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $7,775,000. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to the Private Placement. The Private Placement was conducted as a non-public transaction and, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering, is exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.  In the Private Placement, the Sponsor purchased 657,500 Private Placement Units, PA 2 Co-Investment purchased 84,000 Private Placement Units, Craig-Hallum purchased 18,000 Private Placement Units and John Lipman purchased 18,000 Private Placement Units. The Private Placement Units are identical to the Units, except that the Private Placement Units (including the underlying securities) are subject to certain transfer restrictions and the holders thereof are entitled to certain registration rights, and, if held by the original holder or their permitted assigns, the underlying warrants (i) may be exercised on a cashless basis, (ii) are not subject to redemption and (iii) with respect to such warrants held by PA 2 Co-Investment, Craig-Hallum and John Lipman, will not be exercisable more than five years from the commencement of sales in the Initial Public Offering. If the Private Placement Units are held by holders other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, then the warrants included in the Private Placement Units will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering. 


Transaction costs amounted to approximately $6,221,000 in the aggregate consisting of $5,750,000 of underwriting fees and approximately $471,000 of other offering costs. In addition, approximately $1,554,000 of cash was available for working capital purposes, unused portions of which are held outside of the trust account established in connection with the Initial Public Offering.

We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account not previously released to us (less taxes payable) to complete our initial Business Combination. We may withdraw interest to pay our franchise and income taxes. To the extent that our equity or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions, and pursue our growth strategies.

We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, structure, negotiate and complete a Business Combination, and to pay taxes to the extent the interest earned on the trust account is not sufficient to pay our taxes.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not required for a smaller reporting company.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includesconsidered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on September 9, 2020. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar Business Combination with one or more businesses or entities.


Our Sponsor is 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The registration statement for our Initial Public Offering was declared effective on January 11, 2021. On January 14, 2021, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 28,750,000 Units (and the Class A Common Stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), including 3,750,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $287.5 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $6.2 million.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the private placement of 777,500 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit to the Sponsor, PA 2 Co-Investment (an affiliate of Cowen and Company, LLC, a representative of the underwriters), and Craig-Hallum (a representative of the underwriters) and its affiliate, generating proceeds of approximately $7.8 million.

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, $287.5 million ($10.00 per Unit) of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement was placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,1933, as amended (the “Investment Company“Securities Act”) having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, until the earlier of (i) the completion of the Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

If we are unable to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or January 14, 2023 (the “Combination Period”), we will (1) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (2) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its franchise and income taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (3) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

Results of Operations

Our entire activity since inception through December 31, 2020 related to our formation, and the preparation for the Initial Public Offering. We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. We will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial Business Combination. Subsequent to the closing of the Initial Public Offering our activity includes the search for a prospective initial Business Combination and generation of non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents. We expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the period from September 9, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 we had net loss of approximately $11,000, which consisted solely of general and administrative expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $202,000 in cash and working capital deficit of approximately $325,000.


Through December 31, 2020, our liquidity needs were satisfied through the receipt of $25,000 from our Sponsor in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares, the proceeds of the Note (as defined below) from our Sponsor of $300,000, and approximately $13,000 in advances from a related party. We repaid the Note in full on January 14, 2021 and reimbursed the advances from the related party in full in February 2021. Subsequent to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement, our liquidity needs have been satisfied with the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor, members of our management team or any of their affiliates or other third parties, may, but are not obligated to, provide us working capital loans.

Based on the foregoing, our management believes that we will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet our needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on our financial position, results of our operations and/or our search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

In October 2020, our Sponsor purchased 7,187,500 shares of our Founder Shares for an aggregate price of $25,000. The initial stockholders agreed to forfeit up to 937,500 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters, so that the Founder Shares would represent 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the shares comprising the Private Placement Units). The underwriter exercised its over-allotment option in full on January 14, 2021; thus, the 937,500 Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.

The initial stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination, or (y) the date following the completion of the initial Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.

Private Placement

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the Private Placement of 777,500 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit to the Sponsor, PA 2 Co-Investment, and Craig-Hallum and its affiliate, generating proceeds of approximately $7.8 million.

The Private Placement Units (including the shares comprising the Private Placement Units and the Private Placement Warrants (as defined below) and shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Private Placement Warrants) are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

Each whole private placement warrant underlying the Private Placement Units (the “Private Placement Warrants”) is exercisable for one whole share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement Units has been added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account. If we do not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Units and the underlying securities will expire worthless.


Our Sponsor, officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Private Placement Units until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

Related Party Loans

On October 15, 2020, our Sponsor agreed to loan us an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan was non-interest bearing and payable upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company borrowed $300,000 under the Note as of December 31, 2020 and repaid the Note in full on January 14, 2021. In addition, an affiliate of our Sponsor advanced approximately $13,000 to cover for certain expenses on behalf of us and we reimbursed the advances from the affiliate of our Sponsor in full in February 2021.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor, members of our management team or any of their affiliates or other third parties may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If we complete a Business Combination, we would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination or, at the lenders’ discretion, up to $1.5 million of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into units of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender. The units would be identical to the Private Placement Units. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. To date, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.

Contractual Obligations

Registration Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Units and units that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Units and units that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. These holders are entitled to make up to certain demands, excluding short form demands, that we registered such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial Business Combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or approximately $5.8 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering.

Administrative Support Agreement

Commencing on the date of the listing of the Units on the Nasdaq Capital Market through the earlier of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or our liquidation, we will pay the Sponsor $20,000 per month for office space, utilities, general office and secretarial support, and administrative and support services.

In addition, the Sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential partner businesses and performing due diligence on suitable Business Combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to the Sponsor, executive officers or directors, or the Company's or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial Business Combination will be made using funds held outside the Trust Account.

Recent accounting standards

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our unaudited condensed financial statements.

Off-balance sheet financing arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K as of December 31, 2020.

JOBS Act

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our Initial Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have not identified any critical accounting policies.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Our management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to Pages F-1 through F-16 comprising a portion of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROL AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officers (our “Certifying Officers”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Certifying Officers concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.


PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

Directors and Executive Officers

Our directors and executive officers are as follows:

NameAgeTitle
Adam Rothstein49Executive Chairman, Secretary and Director
Emiliano Calemzuk47Chief Executive Officer and Director
Michael Del Nin50Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Linda Yaccarino58Director
Kelli Turner50Director
David Bank51Director
Scott Flanders64Director
Jon Jashni57Director

Adam Rothstein has served as an executive officer and a member of our board of directors since our inception. Mr. Rothstein has served as our Executive Chairman since inception and our Secretary since December 2020. Mr. Rothstein also had served as our President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer and Secretary from inception until November 2020. Mr. Rothstein is a Co-Founder and General Partner of Disruptive Technology Partners, an Israeli technology-focused early-stage investment fund, and Disruptive Growth, a collection of late-stage investment vehicles focused on Israeli technology, which he co-founded in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Since 2014, Mr. Rothstein has been the Managing Member of 1007 Mountain Drive Partners, LLC, which is both a consulting and investment vehicle. Mr. Rothstein is also a sponsor and director of Roth CH Acquisition II Co. (NASDAQ: ROCC, ROCCW, ROCCU) and Roth CH Acquisition III Co. (NASDAQ: ROCRU), which are special purpose acquisition companies. Previously, from July 2019 until January 2021, Mr. Rothstein was a director of Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp. (NEO: SVC.A.U) (OTCQX: SBVCF), a special purpose acquisition company that partnered with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Roc Nation in January 2021 to acquire CMG Partners Inc. and Left Coast Ventures, Inc. and which now trades as TPCO Holding Corp. (NEO: GRAM.U) (OTCQX: GRAMF). Additionally, from February 2020 until March 2021, Mr. Rothstein was a director of Roth CH Acquisition I Co. (NASDAQ: ROCH), a special purpose acquisition company that acquired PureCycle Technologies LLC and which now trades as PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCT, PCTTW, PCTTU). Mr. Rothstein has over 20 years of investment experience, and currently sits on the boards of directors of several early- and mid-stage technology and media companies both in the US and in Israel and is on the Advisory Board for the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Mr. Rothstein graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and has a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Finance from the University of Cambridge. We believe Mr. Rothstein is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to his business experience, as well as his contacts and relationships.


Emiliano Calemzuk serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors since November 2020. Mr. Calemzuk is a media executive and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the international media and management space. He currently serves as the Lead Independent Director and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance at MercadoLibre, Inc. (Nasdaq: MELI), an e-commerce and payments platform in Latin America. Mr. Calemzuk was recently Co-Founder and CEO of RAZE, a Los Angeles-based media venture which produces traditional and social content geared toward a Hispanic and Latin American audience in the United States. In 2015 and 2016 Mr. Calemzuk partnered with Time Inc., publisher of Time, Sports Illustrated, People, and other major magazine titles to assist with Time Inc.’s entry into digital video. In 2013 and 2014 Mr. Calemzuk joined Jeff Sagansky’s and Harry Sloan’s $400 million special purpose acquisition company, Silver Eagle Acquisition Company, as target company Chief Executive Officer designate. Mr. Calemzuk had a 14-year career at 21st Century Fox / News Corp in the C-suite. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Shine Group Americas, a unit of 21st Century Fox, from 2010 to 2012. In this capacity Mr. Calemzuk oversaw scripted and non-scripted television series. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Calemzuk served as President of Fox Television Studios. From 2002 to 2007 Mr. Calemzuk was based in Rome, Italy, as President of FOX International Channels Europe where he managed the operation of the FOX Italian TV group. In addition, Mr. Calemzuk supervised the FOX operation in Spain, France, Germany, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. Before moving to Rome, Mr. Calemzuk was Vice President and Deputy Managing Director of FOX Latin American Channels. In 2000 Mr. Calemzuk held the post of General Manager of Fox Kids Latin America. Mr. Calemzuk was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and is a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. We believe Mr. Calemzuk is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to his business experience, as well as his contacts and relationships.

Michael Del Nin has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer since January 11, 2021. Mr. Del Nin was the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (Nasdaq: CETV), one of Europe’s leading television broadcasters, from September 2013 until its sale in October 2020, and was a member of its Board of Directors from October 2009 until September 2013. Mr. Del Nin previously was the Senior Vice President of International and Corporate Strategy at Time Warner Inc. from 2008 until 2013, in which capacity he helped drive Time Warner Inc.’s global strategy and business development initiatives, with a particular focus on international operations and investments. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Del Nin was the Senior Vice President responsible for Mergers and Acquisitions at Time Warner Inc. Mr. Del Nin’s prior experience includes roles at New Line Cinema, as Senior Vice President, Business Development, and as an investment banker at Salomon Smith Barney focused on the media industry. Mr. Del Nin holds an undergraduate business degree from Bocconi University and a law degree from the University of New South Wales.

Linda Yaccarino has served as a member of our board of directors since January 11, 2021. As Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal, Ms. Yaccarino is responsible for managing over $10 billion in revenue annually and stewarding the company’s industry-leading portfolio of linear networks, digital platforms, distribution partnerships, and client relationships. At NBCUniversal, Ms. Yaccarino, with the help of her 1,500-person team, connects established and emerging brands to hundreds of millions of viewers. Ms. Yaccarino also leads a joint Global Advertising & Partnerships team at NBCUniversal, which oversees the company’s One Platform offering worldwide. Ms. Yaccarino is the Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s Taskforce on Future of Work, and the Vice Chairman of The Advertising Council. Ms. Yaccarino sits on the Board of Directors of Ascena Retail Group (OTC: ASNAQ) and is a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Ms. Yaccarino is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. We believe Ms. Yaccarino is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to her business experience, as well as her contacts and relationships.


Kelli Turner has served as a member of our board of directors since January 11, 2021. Ms. Turner is currently President and Chief Operating Officer at SESAC, Inc., a music rights licensing company. She is also general partner of RSL Venture Partners. She recently joined the Board of Directors of DoubleVerify, a leading software platform for digital media measurement and analytics, and was on the Board of Directors of Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (Nasdaq: CETV), a media and entertainment company operating in Central and Eastern European markets, until its sale in October 2020. She was previously President and Chief Financial Officer of RSL Management Corporation from February 2011 to April 2012. Ms. Turner previously was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., a diversified media and merchandising company, from 2009 to 2011, where she was responsible for all aspects of the company’s financial operations, while working closely with the executive team in shaping Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.’s business strategy and capital allocation process. A lawyer and a registered certified public accountant with significant experience in the media industry, Ms. Turner joined Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. in 2009 from Time Warner Inc., where she held the position of Senior Vice President, Operations in the Office of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President, Business Development for New Line Cinema from 2006 to 2007 after having served as Time Warner Inc.’s Vice President, Investor Relations from 2004 to 2006. Ms. Turner worked in investment banking for years with positions at Allen & Company and Salomon Smith Barney prior to joining Time Warner Inc. Early in her career, she also gained tax and audit experience as a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young, LLP. Ms. Turner received her undergraduate business degree and her law degree from the University of Michigan. We believe Ms. Turner is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to her business experience, as well as her contacts and relationships.

David Bank has served as a member of our board of directors since January 11, 2021. Mr. Bank is Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy for A+E Networks. He was named to the role in July 2019 and is responsible for long-term strategic and business development plans, including identifying potential partners in the marketplace, and exploring opportunities that align with the company’s forecasted objectives. Mr. Bank is also member of the board of directors of Johnson Production Group. Mr. Bank is a veteran analyst and financial professional with expertise in the media and entertainment industry. Prior to joining A+E Networks, he served as Executive Vice President, Investor Relations at CBS Corp. Previously, Mr. Bank had a 16-year career as a sell-side equity research analyst and Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets where he primarily covered Large Cap Media and Entertainment Companies. He also served as Associate Director of The US Equity Research Department at RBC Capital Markets. Mr. Bank began his career as an investment banker focusing on financial institutions at First Boston, then joined Furman Selz as an Investment Banker focused on Media. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College and a Master of Business Administration from The Yale School of Management. We believe Mr. Bank is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to his business experience, as well as his contacts and relationships.

Scott Flanders has served as a member of our board of directors since January 11, 2021. In his current role as Chief Executive Officer for eHealth, Inc. (Nasdaq: EHTH), Mr. Flanders has managed the company through vast industry changes. In addition to eHealth, Inc., Mr. Flanders has served as Chief Executive Officer of The Columbia House Company, Freedom Communications and Playboy Enterprises. Mr. Flanders holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a Juris Doctor from Maurer School of Law at Indiana University. Mr. Flanders is also a Certified Public Accountant. We believe Mr. Flanders is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to his business experience, as well as his contacts and relationships.

Jon Jashni has served as a member of our board of directors since January 11, 2021. Mr. Jashni is a media investor, advisor and content executive who provides services through his consulting firm Raintree Ventures. He is currently a Founding Advisor to Influence Media, a music fund allied with Warner Music, and Sreda Global, a leading Russian TV studio. Mr. Jashni also serves as a strategic advisor to such entities as Mass Appeal, Bonfire Game Studios, Prometheus Entertainment and Wevr and is a Founding Partner of Synthesis Entertainment. Over the course of his career, Mr. Jashni has been associated with the creation and monetization of content that has generated over $7 billion in gross revenue. From 2006 to 2016, Mr. Jashni was Co-Founder, President and Chief Creative Officer of Legendary Entertainment. During his 10-year tenure at the company he was integral to establishing and evolving the company into a leading, diversified, multi-platform media company. Comprised of film, television, digital and comics divisions, Legendary Entertainment is dedicated to owning, producing and delivering mainstream content to global audiences. Mr. Jashni has been a lead participant in corporate transactions involving such companies as Time Warner, Comcast NBCUniversal, Fidelity, Waddell & Reed, Softbank and Wanda (which purchased Legendary Entertainment in 2016). Mr. Jashni has also been involved in the acquisition and scaling of a vanguard applied analytics entity which developed proprietary methodologies for optimizing media buying, leveraging social media and finely calibrating consumer interactions. Prior to co-founding and joining Legendary Entertainment, Mr. Jashni was President of Hyde Park Entertainment, President of Irving Azoff’s Warner Bros-based Giant Pictures, Senior Vice President of Production at 20th Century Fox and Creative Executive at Columbia Pictures. Mr. Jashni holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance from the University of Southern California. We believe Mr. Jashni is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board due to his business experience, as well as his contacts and relationships.


Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors

Effective as of January 11, 2021, we have seven directors. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of David Bank and Emiliano Calemzuk, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Scott Flanders and Jon Jashni, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Adam Rothstein, Kelli Turner and Linda Yaccarino, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders. In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq.

Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Co-Chairman of the Board, Executive Chairman, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, a Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors. 

Director Independence

Nasdaq rules require that a majority of our board of directors be independent within one year of our initial public offering. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Effective January 11, 2021, we have five “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq rules and applicable SEC rules prior to completion of our initial public offering. A majority of our board of directors is comprised of independent directors. Our board has determined that each of Mses. Yaccarino and Turner and Messrs. Bank, Flanders and Jashni are independent directors under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.

Audit Committee

Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent, subject to the following exception: because we expect to list our securities on Nasdaq in connection with our initial public offering, we have one year from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part to have our audit committee be comprised solely of independent members. The members of our audit committee are David Bank, Jon Jashni and Kelli Turner. Kelli Turner has agreed to serve as chair of the audit committee.

Each member of the audit committee is financially literate, and our board of directors has determined that Kelli Turner qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:

assisting board oversight of (1) the integrity of our financial statements, (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) our independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors;

the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for us;


pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;

reviewing and discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm all relationships the independent registered public accounting firm has with us in order to evaluate their continued independence;

setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (1) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures and (2) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;

reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction;

meeting to review and discuss our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, including reviewing our specific disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”; and

reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

Nominating Committee

We do not have a standing nominating committee, though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by applicable law or stock exchange rules. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2) of the Nasdaq listing rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq listing rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.

Prior to our initial Business Combination, the board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at an annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to the board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.

Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees

We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.

Compensation Committee

Effective January 11, 2021, we established a compensation committee of the board of directors. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have a compensation committee comprised entirely of independent directors. The members of our Compensation Committee are David Bank, Scott Flanders and Linda Yaccarino. Scott Flanders serves as chair of the compensation committee. We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:

·reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;


·reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other officers;

·reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;

·implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

·assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

·approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;

·producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

·reviewing, evaluating, and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

The compensation committee charter provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser.

Code of Ethics

Effective January 13, 2021, we adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We have filed a copy of our form of Code of Ethics and our audit committee charter as exhibits to our registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) (Registration No. 333-251650). These documents may be reviewed by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We will disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

None of our officers or directors has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date that our securities were first listed on Nasdaq through the earlier of consummation of our initial Business Combination and our liquidation, we will pay an affiliate of our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month, for up to 24 months, for office space, utilities, general office and secretarial support, and administrative and support services. Our founders, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable Business Combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our founders, officers, directors or our or any of their affiliates.

Any such payments prior to an initial Business Combination have been, and will continue to be made from funds held outside the Trust Account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial Business Combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, have been paid by the company to our founders, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial Business Combination.


After the completion of our initial Business Combination, directors or members of our management team or advisors who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other compensation from the combined company. All compensation will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed Business Combination. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers after the completion of our initial Business Combination will be determined by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors.

We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business, and we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial Business Combination should be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential Business Combination.

Since our formation, we have not granted any stock options or stock appreciation rights or any other awards under long-term incentive plans to any of our executive officers or directors.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of January 11, 2021, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our common stock included in the units offered by Initial Public Offering prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in or following the Initial Public Offering, by:

·each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

·each of our executive officers, executive officer nominees, directors and director nominees; and

·all our executive officers, executive officer nominees, directors and director nominees as a group.

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the Private Placement Warrants as they are not exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof.


  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  Percentage of
Outstanding
Common Stock
 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner1        
200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC (our sponsor)2  6,852,5402  18.66%
PA 2 Co-Investment LLC3  705,2223  1.92%
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC4  302,2384  * 
Adam Rothstein  6,852,540   18.66%
Emiliano Calemzuk     * 
Michael Del Nin     * 
Linda Yaccarino5  20,000   * 
Kelli Turner5  25,000   * 
David Bank5  20,000   * 
Scott Flanders5  20,000   * 
Jon Jashni  20,000   * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 individuals)  6,957,540   18.95%

* Less than one percent.

(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 14 Elm Place, Suite 206, Rye, New York 10580.

(2) Represents 657,500 shares underlying Private Placement Units and 6,195,040 Founder Shares held of record by our Sponsor. Our Sponsor is controlled by Mr. Rothstein, as manager, and therefore Mr. Rothstein has voting and dispositive power over such shares and Founder Shares held by our Sponsor and may be deemed to beneficially own such Founder Shares. In addition, certain of our other officers, directors, and advisors are members of our Sponsor.

(3) Represents 84,000 shares underlying Private Placement Units and 621,222 Founder Shares held directly by PA 2 Co-Investment. As the sole member of PA 2 Co-Investment, Cowen Investments II LLC may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned directly by PA 2 Co-Investment. As the sole member of Cowen Investments II, RCG LV Pearl, LLC (“RCG”) may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned directly by PA 2 Co-Investment. As the sole member of RCG, Cowen Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned directly by PA 2 Co-Investment. As Chief Executive Officer of Cowen Inc., Mr. Jeffrey Solomon may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned directly by PA 2 Co-Investment. The business address is 599 Lexington Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10022.


(4) Represents 36,000 shares underlying Private Placement Units and 266,238 Founder Shares; includes shares held by certain affiliates of Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. The Board of Directors of Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (the “CH Board”) controls Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. There are 6 members of the CH Board: Brad Baker, Steve Dyer, William Hartfiel III, Kevin Harris, James Zavoral and Tom Emmel. Each member of the CH Board has one vote, and majority approval is required to approve an action. Under the so-called “rule of three,” if voting and dispositive decisions regarding an entity’s securities are made by three or more individuals, and a voting or dispositive decision requires the approval of a majority of those individuals, then none of the individuals is deemed a beneficial owner of the entity’s securities. Based upon the foregoing analysis, no individual member of the CH Board controls Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC or exercises voting or dispositive control over any of the securities held by Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, even those in which he or she holds a pecuniary interest. Accordingly, none of them is deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of such shares. The business address of each of Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC and its affiliates is 222 South Ninth Street, Suite 350, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

(5) Does not include any securities held by 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC, of which each person is a member.

With certain limited exceptions, the Founder Shares will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our initial stockholders until the earlier of (1) one year after the completion of our initial Business Combination and (2) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization, or other similar transaction after our initial Business Combination that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the last reported sale price of our common stock shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial Business Combination, the Founder Shares will be released from the lock-up. With certain limited exceptions, the shares comprising the Private Placement Units, the Private Placement Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying such Private Placement Warrants, will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our initial stockholders until 30 days after the completion of our initial Business Combination.

 Our executive officers and Sponsor are our “promoters,” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws.

Equity Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2020, we had no compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities of the registrant were authorized for issuance.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

For a complete discussion regarding certain relationships and related transactions, see the section titled “Related Party Transactions” contained in our prospectus dated January 11, 2021, incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

The firm of Marcum LLP, or Marcum, acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees paid to Marcum for services rendered.


Audit Fees

Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements, reviews of our quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Marcum for audit fees, inclusive of required filings with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2020 and of services rendered in connection with our Initial Public Offering, totaled $55,000.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our year-end financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not pay Marcum any audit-related fees.

Tax Fees

Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services relating to tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not pay Marcum any tax fees.

All Other Fees

All other fees consist of fees billed for all other services. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not pay Marcum any other fees.

Audit Committee Approval

Because our audit committee was not formed until January 11, 2021, the audit committee did not pre-approve all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. However, in accordance with Section 10A(i) of the Exchange Act, before we engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services on a going-forward basis, the engagement will be approved by our audit committee.


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

(1) Financial Statements:

Description
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Financial Statements:
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020F-3
Statement of Operations for the Period from September 9, 2020 (Inception) to December 31, 2020F-4
Statement of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity for the Period from September 9, 2020 (Inception) to December 31, 2020F-5
Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from September 9, 2020 (Inception) to December 31, 2020F-6
Notes to Financial StatementsF-7

(2) Financial Statement Schedules:

None.

(b) The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report:

Exhibit No.Description
1.1Underwriting Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and Cowen and Company, LLC and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. (1)
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. (1)
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company. (1)
4.1Specimen Unit Certificate. (2)
4.2Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate. (2)
4.3Specimen Warrant Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.4).
4.4Warrant Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. (1)
4.5Description of Securities.
10.1Promissory Note, dated October 15, 2020, issued to 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC. (2)
10.2Securities Subscription Agreement, dated October 15, 2020, between the Company and 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC. (2)
10.3Letter Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, among the Company, 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC, PA 2 Co-Investment LLC, John Lipman and each of the executive officers, directors and initial stockholders of the Company. (1)
10.4Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. (1)
10.5Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, among the Company, 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC and certain securityholders. (1)
10.6Private Placement Unit Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC. (1)
10.7Private Placement Unit Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and PA 2 Co-Investment LLC. (1)
10.8Private Placement Unit Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. (1)
10.9Private Placement Unit Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and John Lipman. (1)
10.10Form of Indemnity Agreement. (2)


10.11Business Combination Marketing Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and Cowen and Company, LLC and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC.
10.12Administrative Services Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, between the Company and 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC.
31.1Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(1)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2021.
(2)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-251650).

Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15 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 on the 31st day of March, 2021.

890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.
By:/s/ Emiliano Calemzuk
Name: Emiliano Calemzuk
Title:Chief Executive Officer

In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

NameTitleDate
/s/ Adam RothsteinExecutive Chairman and DirectorMarch 31, 2021
Adam Rothstein
/s/ Emiliano CalemzukChief Executive Officer and DirectorMarch 31, 2021
Emiliano Calemzuk

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Michael Del NinChief Financial Officer and Chief Operating OfficerMarch 31, 2021
Michael Del Nin(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Linda YaccarinoDirectorMarch 31, 2021
Linda Yaccarino
/s/ Kelli TurnerDirectorMarch 31, 2021
Kelli Turner
/s/ David BankDirectorMarch 31, 2021
David Bank
/s/ Scott FlandersDirectorMarch 31, 2021
Scott Flanders
/s/ Jon JashniDirectorMarch 31, 2021
Jon Jashni


890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Financial Statements:
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020F-3
Statement of Operations for the Period from September 9, 2020 (Inception) to December 31, 2020F-4
Statement of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity for the Period from September 9, 2020 (Inception) to December 31, 2020F-5
Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from September 9, 2020 (Inception) to December 31, 2020F-6
Notes to Financial StatementsF-7


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from September 9, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from September 9, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Marcum LLP

Marcum LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

New York, NY

March 31, 2021


890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

BALANCE SHEET

  December 31, 2020 
Assets:    
Current assets:    
Cash $201,781 
Prepaid expenses  6,815 
Total current assets  208,596 
Deferred offering costs associated with the initial public offering  338,798 
Total Assets $547,394 
     
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity:    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $120,269 
Accrued expenses  99,931 
Franchise tax payable  450 
Advances from related party  13,050 
Note payable  300,000 
Total current liabilities  533,700 
     
Commitments and Contingencies    
     
Stockholder's Equity:    
Class F common stock, $0.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 7,187,500 shares issued and outstanding (1)  719 
Additional paid-in capital  24,281 
Accumulated deficit  (11,306)
Total stockholder's equity  13,694 
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity $547,394 

(1)This number includes up to 937,500 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters. On January 14, 2021, the over-allotment option was exercised in full. Accordingly, none of these shares were forfeited.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-3 

890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

  For the Period from
September 9, 2020 (inception) to
 
  December 31, 2020 
Operating expenses    
General and administrative expenses $10,856 
Franchise tax expenses  450 
Net loss $(11,306)
     
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (1)  6,250,000 
     
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(0.00)

(1)This number excludes an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters. On January 14, 2021, the over-allotment option was exercised in full. Accordingly, none of these shares were forfeited.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

For the Period from September 9, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020

  Common Stock        Total 
  Class F  Additional Paid-In  Accumulated  Stockholder's 
  Shares (1)  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
Balance - September 9, 2020 (inception)  -  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Issuance of Class F common stock to Sponsor  7,187,500   719   24,281   -   25,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   (11,306)  (11,306)
Balance - December 31, 2020  7,187,500  $719  $24,281  $(11,306) $13,694 

(1)This number includes up to 937,500 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters. On January 14, 2021, the over-allotment option was exercised in full. Accordingly, none of these shares were forfeited.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

  For the Period from
September 9, 2020 (inception)
through
 
  December 31, 2020 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:    
Net loss $(11,306)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Prepaid expenses  (6,815)
Accounts payable  9,844 
Franchise tax payable  450 
Net cash used in operating activities  (7,827)
     
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to Sponsor  25,000 
Proceeds from note payable to related party  300,000 
Payment of offering costs  (115,392)
Net cash provided by financing activities  209,608 
     
Net increase in cash  201,781 
     
Cash - beginning of the period  - 
Cash - end of the period $201,781 
     
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:    
Offering costs included in accounts payable $110,425 
Offering costs included in accrued expenses $99,931 
Offering costs paid by related party under promissory note $13,000 
Expenses paid by related party $50 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


890 5TH AVENUE PARTNERS, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Description of Organization and Business Operations

Organization and General

890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on September 9, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from September 9, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

Sponsor and Financing

The Company’s sponsor is 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on January 11, 2021. On January 14, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 28,750,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), including 3,750,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments (the “Over-Allotment Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $287.5 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $6.2 million.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 777,500 units (each, a “Private Placement Unit” and collectively, the “Private Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit to the Sponsor, PA 2 Co-Investment LLC (an affiliate of Cowen and Company, LLC, a representative of the underwriters), and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (a representative of the underwriters) and its affiliate, generating proceeds of approximately $7.8 million (Note 5).

Trust Account

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, an aggregate of $287.5 million ($10.00 per Unit) of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement was held in a  trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

Initial Business Combination

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Units, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of signing a definitive agreement in connection with the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.


The Company will provide the holders (the “Public Stockholders”) of the Public Shares with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then held in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share). The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. The Company will not redeem the Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “A&R Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the initial stockholders (as defined below) agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined below in Note 4) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination. In addition, the initial stockholders agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination.

The A&R Certificate of Incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 1321E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “affect,” “believe,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be restrictedthose that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks (some of which are beyond our control), uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from redeeming its sharesthose expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. anticipated trends, growth rates, and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we operate. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
developments relating to our competitors and the digital media industry, including overall demand of advertising in the markets in which we operate;
demand for our products and services or changes in traffic or engagement with respectour brands and content;
changes in the business and competitive environment in which we and our current and prospective partners and advertisers operate;
macroeconomic factors including: adverse economic conditions in the United States (“U.S.”) and globally, including the potential onset of recession; current global supply chain disruptions; potential government shutdowns or a failure to more than an aggregateraise the U.S. federal debt ceiling or to fund the federal government; the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas and any related sanctions and geopolitical tensions, and further escalation of 15%trade tensions between the U.S. and China; the inflationary environment; high unemployment; high interest rates, currency fluctuations; and the competitive labor market;
our future capital requirements, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional capital in the future, to settle conversions of our unsecured convertible notes, repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change such as the delisting of our Class A common stock, or repay the notes in cash at their maturity, any restrictions imposed by, or commitments under, the indenture governing the notes or agreements governing any future indebtedness, and any restrictions on our ability to access our cash and cash equivalents;
developments in the law and government regulation, including, but not limited to, revised foreign content and ownership regulations, and the outcomes of legal proceedings, regulatory disputes or governmental investigations to which we are subject;
the benefits of our restructuring;
our success divesting of companies, assets or brands we sell or in integrating and supporting the companies we acquire;
technological developments including artificial intelligence (“AI”);
our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, officers, other key employees or directors;
use of content creators and on-camera talent and relationships with third parties managing certain of our branded operations outside of the U.S.;
the security of certain of our information technology (“IT”) systems or data;
disruption in our service, or by our failure to timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and infrastructure;
our ability to maintain the listing of our Class A common stock and warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”); and
3

other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors.”
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains estimates and information concerning our industry, our business, and the Public Shares, without the prior consentmarket for our products and services, including our general expectations of our market position, market growth forecasts, our market opportunity, and size of the Company.

The holdersmarkets in which we participate, that are based on industry publications, surveys, and reports that have been prepared by independent third parties. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. Although we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the Founder Shares (as defineddata contained in Note 4) priorthese industry publications, surveys, and reports, we believe the publications, surveys, and reports are generally reliable, although such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and imprecision. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, those described in the Initial Public Offeringsection entitled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

Investors and others should note that we may announce material business and financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (https://investors.buzzfeed.com), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, webcasts, press releases, and conference calls. We use these mediums to communicate with investors and the general public about our company, our products and services, and other issues. It is possible that the information that we make available may be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information that we post on our investor relations website.
4

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
For convenience, the terms “BuzzFeed,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refer to BuzzFeed, Inc. and one or more of our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
On December 3, 2021, we consummated a business combination (the “initial stockholders”“Business Combination”) agreed not to propose an amendment towith 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (“890”), certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of 890, and BuzzFeed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy BuzzFeed”). In connection with the A&R Certificate of Incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeemBusiness Combination, we acquired 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) ormembership interests of CM Partners, LLC. CM Partners, LLC, together with respectComplex Media, Inc., is referred to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 24 months fromherein as “Complex Networks.” Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or January 14, 2023 (the “Combination Period”), theBusiness Combination, 890 was renamed “BuzzFeed, Inc.”

Our Company will (i) cease all operations except Overview
BuzzFeed is a premier digital media company for the purposemost diverse, most online, and most socially connected generations the world has ever seen. Across entertainment, news, food, pop culture and commerce, our brands drive conversation and inspire what audiences watch, read, and buy now and into the future. With a portfolio of winding up; (2)iconic, globally-loved brands that includes BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Tasty, and First We Feast (including Hot Ones), we are the number one destination for audiences amongst our competitive set, in terms of time spent, according to Comscore.
BuzzFeed’s mission is to spread truth, joy, and creativity on the Internet. We are committed to making the Internet better: providing trusted, high-quality, brand-safe entertainment and news; making content on the Internet more inclusive, empathetic and creative; and inspiring our audience to live better lives.
BuzzFeed curates the Internet, and acts as promptly as reasonably possible but notan “inspiration engine,” driving both online and real-world action and transactions. Our strong audience signal and powerful content flywheel have enabled us to build category-leading brands, a deep, two-way connection with our audiences, and an engine for high-quality content at massive scale and low cost. As a result, each of our brands has a large, loyal, highly engaged audience that is very attractive to advertisers and creators, and through our rich first party data offering and contextual marketing solutions, we are able to help both advertisers and creators effectively and efficiently reach their target audiences. In 2023, our audiences consumed more than 10300 million hours of content and drove over $500 million in attributable transactions. For additional discussion on Time Spent, refer to Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Note, Time Spent presented above excludes time spent on Facebook, as effective January 1, 2023, we exclude Facebook from our measure of Time Spent. Additionally, Time Spent presented above excludes time Spent on Complex Networks, as Complex Networks is presented as discontinued operations throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Time Spent on Facebook and Complex Networks was approximately 58 million and 76 million hours in 2023, respectively.
Our strength has always been to adapt our business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equalmodel to the aggregate amount thenevolution of the digital landscape. Founded by Jonah Peretti in 2006, BuzzFeed started as a lab in New York City’s Chinatown, experimenting with how the Internet could change how content is consumed, distributed, interacted with, and shared. This pioneering work was followed by a period of significant growth, during which BuzzFeed became a household name. Over the last few years, we have focused on depositrevenue diversification and profitability (on an Adjusted EBITDA basis, a non-GAAP measure as defined in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our data-driven approach to content creation and our cross-platform distribution network have enabled us to monetize our content by delivering a comprehensive suite of digital advertising products and services and introducing new, complementary revenue streams.
Our Market Opportunity
We believe that BuzzFeed is well-positioned to adapt to the rapidly changing digital media environment. We have strong and differentiated IP in BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Tasty and First We Feast (including Hot Ones), each with a trusted and established brand identity. The brands we have built are valuable and hard to replicate. Audiences spend more time consuming our content than that of any other digital media company in our competitive set, according to Comscore. This is why, even amid an uncertain economic environment and increasing competition for audience time and advertising dollars, we continue to be a trusted partner for advertisers looking to reach young audiences at scale with brand-safe content.
5

Reputation, ethics, and quality matter now more than ever. Advertisers continue to face brand safety risks on the largest social platforms. These platforms have become reliant on user-generated content that is often toxic and / or misleading. As platforms continue to struggle with the policing of user-generated content and the impact to advertisers on their platforms, BuzzFeed has become a trusted partner in providing high-quality, brand-safe content at scale to serve advertiser demand. Our iconic, category-leading brands have loyal, highly engaged audiences — from food lovers to shoppers to parents — and everyone in between.
Further, amid the rapidly evolving data privacy landscape, it is becoming increasingly difficult for advertisers to drive returns on the large tech platforms. With a broad and diverse audience and scaled distribution across platforms, we capture rich first party data and third-party platform insights across our audience — offering advertisers the contextual alignment and tools they need to effectively and efficiently reach massive young audiences — particularly as the Internet continues to move toward a cookieless future. By leaning further into AI, we see the opportunity to capture and better understand a much bigger data set around our audience and the performance of our content.
These trends reinforce our value proposition. Through our category-leading brand-safe content, proprietary first-party data, and our suite of ad products, we offer advertisers the tools and contextual alignment needed to effectively and efficiently reach large, young audiences without running afoul of emerging data privacy regulations.
For years, young people have continued to come to BuzzFeed for culturally relevant content that inspires them to discover new things. We extended this relationship to our commerce business to create trusted shopping content that inspires our audiences to discover new products. This content is led by our editorial team and informed by audience insights, yielding hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions annually on behalf of some of the world’s largest retailers, including Amazon, Target and Walmart. Our approach provides retailers with an incremental channel for capturing high-quality, actionable consumer traffic.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the annual U.S. e-commerce market to be approximately $1.1 trillion, comprising 15% of total retail sales in the Trust Account, including interest earnedfourth quarter of 2023. The U.S. e-commerce market is expected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027 and comprise 21% of total retail sales, according to eMarketer. The ability of our content to inspire millions of consumers to transact and deliver meaningful results for our retail partners is what sets us apart from other digital publishers. And, as the e-commerce market continues to grow, we see an opportunity to expand and deepen these relationships over time.
Our Brands
The Company has built and assembled a portfolio of iconic, category-leading brands for Gen Z and Millennial audiences across entertainment, news, food, pop culture, and commerce.
Our flagship BuzzFeed brand has become a go-to authority for curating entertainment, pop culture, and the best of the Internet. With articles, lists, quizzes, videos, and original series — our audience comes to BuzzFeed to learn what to watch, read, and buy now— and into the future.
HuffPost is a global, award-winning media platform for news, politics, opinion, entertainment, features, and lifestyle content that continues to attract millions of loyal readers directly to its front page.
Tasty, first launched in 2015, has grown into the largest, most engaged food community on the funds heldInternet, pioneering the overhead video format that is now ubiquitous across most major food brands, and is a leading platform for food creators. Eight in 10 audience members try a recipe after seeing it on Tasty.
First We Feast began with creating an award-winning website and has since established its credibility as a voice at the Trust Accountintersection of food and not previously releasedpop culture that has spawned proprietary IP like The Burger Show and Pizza Wars. The most prominent example of this is the hit celebrity interview series Hot Ones, with more than 25 billion minutes watched, multiple Emmy nominations and several consumer product extensions.
Complex Networks is a global youth entertainment company targeting Gen Z and Millennial audiences. We sold Complex Networks in February 2024. The sale of Complex Networks represents a strategic inflection point for us as we plan to focus on scalable, higher margin, technology-enabled revenue lines (e.g., AI). Refer to Notes 22 and 23 to the Company to pay its franchise and income taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (3) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subjectconsolidated financial statements included elsewhere in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to providethis Annual Report on Form 10-K for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

The initial stockholders agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Accountadditional details with respect to the Founder Sharessale.

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Our Audience
Our content reflects the voice of the most diverse generation in history, and creates an “inspiration engine” that helps millions explore new things, try unique experiences, and discover novel products. Across our network of brands we reach millions of monthly viewers, who consumed more than 300 million hours of content and drove hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions in 2023. Our cross-platform distribution network gives us the ability to connect with the Internet generations at a massive scale on whatever platform they are using to consume content. We attract and retain audiences as a function of our data-driven approach to content creation. As audiences engage with our content, we capture insights into their preferences and apply those learnings to new content development. This enables us to attract larger, more engaged audiences and capture deeper, more reliable insights. We are the number one destination for audiences amongst our competitive set, in terms of Time Spent, according to Comscore.
Our Technology Platform and Data-Driven Content Flywheel
Creating meaningful content requires data, technology, and scale, all of which are key competitive differentiators that BuzzFeed uses to reach our audience wherever they are. Our data-driven approach to content creation is designed to benefit all stakeholders across our ecosystem: audiences, creators, and advertisers alike.
BuzzFeed began as a lab in New York City, experimenting with content, formats, and distribution on the Internet. Over 15 years, we have established a deep understanding of modern media and developed proprietary technology designed to rapidly scale and monetize digital content. Machine learning and analytics power everything from our scaled tech stack of quiz makers built into a content management system to proprietary algorithms and custom tools for content creators and brand advertisers to headline optimization.
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Supported by our highly scalable and repeatable technology platform, our data-driven content flywheel informs our most important decisions. Our content and brands are designed for modern-day consumption patterns, providing engagement behavior data and learnings across the BuzzFeed network. With this distribution strategy driving scale, efficiency, and adaptability, we capture the interests of our audience, inform our content creators and journalists, and help advertisers reach their target audiences, with a commitment to brand-safety.
Our proprietary technology stack is powered by AI and machine learning, and trained on BuzzFeed proprietary data to optimize publishing across our owned and operated and third-party platforms. This enables us to attract larger, more engaged audiences and capture deeper, more reliable insights — delivering high-quality content at massive scale and low cost. In doing so, we are able to capture rich first party data and third-party platform insights that our advertising partners can leverage to more effectively reach their target audiences.
Our differentiated model for content creation and distribution is designed to serve all stakeholders in our ecosystem.
These proprietary tools and technologies ensure we are serving our audiences compelling, culturally relevant content.
Our content creators and journalists also benefit greatly, as internal dashboards and metrics provide heightened visibility on audience interaction, allowing them to focus on content and formats that maximize engagement and revenue.
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Similarly, advertisers rely on our audience insights and first-party data tools to optimize their ad campaigns.
Our data-driven approach to content creation also offers advertisers an alternative to the risk of advertising alongside user-generated content on the largest social platforms.
Our Business Model
Powered by our highly scalable data-driven content flywheel, BuzzFeed has grown into a large scale, global media company that distributes content across owned and operated, as well as third-party, platforms. In recent years we have leveraged our media network to develop a comprehensive suite of digital advertising products and services and extend into complementary business lines, such as long-form content development and commerce.
We measure our success in terms of engagement, monetization, retention, and operating efficiency using four key metrics: (1) audience time spent across owned and operated sites, as well as on third-party platforms; (2) revenue generated from advertising, content and commerce and other; (3) net branded content advertiser revenue retention as an indicator of our ability to retain spend of existing customers from one year to the next; and (4) profitability (on an Adjusted EBITDA basis, a non-GAAP financial measure).
We generate revenue from advertising, content, and commerce and other.
Advertising revenues consist primarily of payments we receive from advertisers, both programmatically and directly, for ads distributed against our editorial and news content, including display, pre-roll and mid-roll video products, as well as homepage takeovers. We distribute these ad products across our owned and operated properties as well as third-party platforms. This revenue source is driven by our industry-leading engagement, an overall shift to digital advertising, and our scaled reach to multiple demographics. We provide significant and differentiated value to advertisers by consistently delivering best-in-class audience engagement, with the most Time Spent among audiences as compared to other digital media companies in our competitive set, according to Comscore.
Content revenues consist primarily of payments received from clients for custom assets, including both long-form and short-form content, from branded quizzes to Instagram takeovers to branded content videos. These revenues also include feature films as well as content licensing. Our content production approach increasingly allows for turn-key, lightweight options that are scalable and repeatable and resonate with advertisers. Our content revenue is driven by continued investment in our content team, a strong data-informed understanding of our audience, demand for trusted, brand-safe digital content, and our brand integrity.
Commerce and other revenues consist primarily of affiliate commissions earned on transactions initiated from our editorial shopping content, as well as revenues from product licensing. Our editorial shopping content drives hundreds of millions of dollars in attributable transactions each year. Moving forward, we plan to continue to onboard new marketplaces beyond consumer retail, expanding into new shopping categories to drive additional growth. With strong brand recognition and audience trust, BuzzFeed is well positioned to capitalize on the continued shift to online purchases.
Our Differentiation
Leading Destination for Audiences — Audiences spend more time consuming our content than that of other digital media companies in our competitive set, according to Comscore.
Premium, Brand-Safe Advertising — As platforms continue to struggle with the policing of user-generated content and the impact to advertisers on their platforms, BuzzFeed has become a trusted partner in providing high-quality, brand-safe content at scale to serve advertiser demand. Our iconic, category-leading brands have loyal, highly engaged audiences — from food lovers to shoppers to parents — and everyone in between.
AI-enabled Technology Stack — Our proprietary technology stack is powered by AI and machine learning, and trained on BuzzFeed proprietary data to optimize publishing across our owned and operated and third-party platforms. This enables us to attract larger, more engaged audiences and capture deeper, more reliable insights — delivering high-quality content at massive scale and low cost.
Rich First Party Data — With a broad and diverse audience and scaled distribution across platforms, we capture rich first party data and third-party platform insights across our audience — offering advertisers the contextual alignment and tools they need to effectively and efficiently reach massive young audiences — particularly as the
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Internet continues to move toward a cookieless future. By leaning further into AI, we see the opportunity to capture and better understand a much bigger data set around our audience and the performance of our content.
Our Strategy
Grow and deepen audience engagement — We plan to continue to leverage our iconic brands and invest in our technology and data-driven content flywheel to deliver engaging content that brands and advertisers trust to reach, grow, and engage audiences, at scale and across platforms. There is a significant opportunity to further penetrate our existing customer base with our diverse offerings, as well as to add new customers through our proven ability to reach audiences at scale and drive awareness, inspiration, and transactions. Representing more than 85% of audience Time Spent for the year ended December 31, 2023, our owned and operated properties are an area of focus, including through the use of AI to make our owned and operated properties more engaging, personalized, and efficient to operate.
Empower our content creator teams — We are extremely fortunate to have many talented journalists, video creators, writers, and Internet visionaries, whose contributions are critical to our success. BuzzFeed will continue to focus on building the future of creative work by empowering our teams, providing them with next-generation tools, data, and an environment that fosters collaboration, diversity, and innovation to produce best-in-class digital content.
Expand strategic partnerships — Our diversified and complementary advertising, content, and commerce offerings enhance our value proposition and strengthen our relationships with our customers. In particular, partners who purchase several of our solutions often increase their average spend with BuzzFeed, which drives longer term relationships and improves customer retention.
Drive sustainable, profitable growth — Following several years of discipline and cost management initiatives, our business is benefiting from significant operating leverage. As we prioritize resources towards the highest margin businesses, we are committed to building a business that delivers significant margin expansion and generates strong cash flows.
BuzzFeed operates within the digital media space, a category that we have pioneered and helped develop. We broadly compete against other Internet companies that might attract audiences and advertisers to their platforms and away from BuzzFeed’s. More specifically, with a common core demographic of Millennials and Gen Z, online content providers that target younger generations are natural competitors to BuzzFeed. Historically, these have included digital publishers such as Vox Media (which combined with Group Nine Media), Bustle Digital Group, Dotdash Meredith, and Condé Nast. Additionally, our entertainment competitors include, but are not limited to, People and Entertainment Weekly, and our food brand competitors include, but are not limited to, New York Times Cooking and Food Network. We believe that engagement, and specifically Time Spent, is a key indicator of competitive positioning, and BuzzFeed Inc. outperforms its peers by this measure, with audiences spending more time with our content than that of any other company in our competitive set, according to Comscore. Furthermore, we believe that audience leadership, brand safety, our AI-powered tech stack, and rich first party data are structural differentiators that set us apart from the competition.
BuzzFeed both competes with and partners with the largest social media platforms, streaming services, retailers, and traditional publishers. We believe that BuzzFeed’s unique, data-informed, brand-safe content is increasingly valued by ecosystem participants and enables BuzzFeed to grow alongside the largest consumer Internet and publishing businesses.
Customers
BuzzFeed offers a strong value proposition to customers and business partners looking to reach Millennial and Gen Z audiences at scale, in order to generate awareness and drive discovery, inspiration, and ultimately transactions involving their products and services. Customers rely on our high-quality, engaging and brand-safe content, creativity, and audience insights to accomplish these objectives. Our customer base consists of U.S.-based and global corporations, including several Fortune 500 companies, across a variety of industries including, among others, media and entertainment, consumer packaged goods, and retail, financial services, insurance, and technology, who utilize one or more of our offerings in advertising, content, and commerce and other.
We provide our advertising customers with a broad array of offerings including display, programmatic, and video advertising inventory to target users on our owned and operated sites, applications, and third-party platforms. Our content customers include third-parties seeking to promote their businesses, products and services with our content (for example, we can create customized promotional content for a third-party’s film release). Our commerce customers are e-commerce
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operators who partner with us through affiliate programs, or retailers with whom we enter into licensing and merchandising agreements. Customers can achieve the best results when tapping into a combination of our offerings, and we see increased retention from those customers that do so. We maintain a diverse customer base and do not have a significant concentration of revenue around any particular customers, with our top 10 direct customers making up approximately 13%of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition to these top 10 direct customers, we derive a significant portion of our revenue from companies such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon through their various advertising and affiliate exchanges.
Human Capital Resources
Our Employees
We consider the management of our global talent to be essential to the ongoing success of our business. As of December 31, 2023, we had 925 employees located across seven countries. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 10.5% of our employees were unionized, with certain employees associated with BuzzFeed Canada, Inc. in Canada belonging to the Canadian Media Guild, and certain employees associated with HuffPost in the U.S. belonging to the Writers Guild of America, East.
In February 2024, we completed our sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks and we also announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 16% reduction in our then-current workforce. Following the execution of these combined actions, the Company has 735 employees as of March 27, 2024. An additional 33 employees will transfer to Independent Digital News and Media Limited on April 1, 2024. Moreover, an additional 60 employees were impacted by the aforementioned reduction in workforce; however, they will remain on our payroll until April 29, 2024. Refer to Note 23 to our consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
We are focused on supporting our employees across the full employee lifecycle from recruitment to onboarding through ongoing development, and have implemented programs designed to support both career satisfaction and overall wellness. We offer access to a range of wellness services addressing mental health, family support, child care, and other areas.
Our Culture
At BuzzFeed, we value openness and collaboration, experimentation and growth, and diversity and equality. This is demonstrated through our content, as well as in the way we work together within the company. We aspire to provide outstanding people experiences, through our workplace practices, benefits, employee programs, communication, and diversity.
We believe in having a direct relationship between employees and management where ideas are shared and both work together toward a common purpose.
We believe in the principle of equal pay for equal work and having compensation programs that provide for such equality.
We believe in treating each other respectfully and employing principles of fairness when concerns or problems arise.
We are committed to demonstrating diversity of thought, background, and experience across all functions and levels.
We believe in supporting the wellness of our employees and their dependents, in championing progressive changes where needed and adjusting our policies to address the changing needs of employees.
We believe that people should be able to bring their whole self to work, and feel that the workplace is supportive and inclusive.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At BuzzFeed, we value Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (“DI&B”) and strive to weave this value into everything we do. We attract a diverse group of employees that reflect the world we are trying to reach through our content and we welcome the unique skills, experiences, and backgrounds each employee brings to the table every day. Since 2014, we have
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been committed to holding ourselves accountable to this work by publishing our diversity and demographics report annually. As of December 31, 2023, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (“BIPOC”) employees constituted 38% of our U.S.-based employee population. In addition, 61% of our global population identify as female.
We continually refine our approach to hiring, training, career development, and education to support our mission of DI&B. Our recruiting team continues to be intentional about our diversity strategy to ensure that BIPOC talent and candidates from other underrepresented groups are actively recruited, and that the company hires and retains talent with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. In the recruitment and hiring process, we also emphasize educating all team members involved about internal and unconscious biases and how to overcome them, and ensuring that all job descriptions and interview processes are inclusive and accessible. BuzzFeed is committed to increasing the representation of diverse employees and we have concentrated our efforts to both advance and retain current BIPOC and additional diverse employees.
We are committed to ensuring our culture allows employees to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We want all employees to feel safe and supported, without threat of microaggressions or bias.
In 2023, we continued to develop and launch key educational opportunities, including Identity and Allyship training, and host a myriad of Heritage Month educational events, learning opportunities, and social events sponsored by the DI&B team, BuzzFeed employee resource groups, and the DI&B Council.
Intellectual Property
We depend on our iconic brands to build and maintain household name recognition and audience loyalty, and regard our intellectual property as critical to our success. We own numerous domestic and foreign trademarks and other proprietary rights that are important to our business and protect those rights in our brands including, but not limited to, BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Tasty, and First We Feast. We also maintain rights to the domain names www.buzzfeed.com, www.huffpost.com, www.tasty.co, www.firstwefeast.com, among others. We retain the rights to an extensive content library that is monetized through multiple revenue streams. In addition to our brand, domain, and content assets, we have a proprietary technology platform that powers our business. We rely on, and expect to continue to rely on, a combination of work for hire, assignment, license and confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties with whom we have relationships, as well as trademark, trade dress, domain name, copyright, trade secret and patent laws, to protect our brands, content, proprietary technology, and other intellectual property rights.
As of December 31, 2023, excluding COMPLEX marks, we held 123 registered trademarks in the U.S., including the BUZZFEED mark and the HUFFPOST mark, and also held 427 registered trademarks in foreign jurisdictions. We continually review our development efforts to assess the existence and our ability to register new intellectual property, and whether to decommission certain of our intellectual property assets. We intend to continue to file additional applications with respect to our intellectual property assets.
Regulatory Matters
We are subject to many laws and regulations in the U.S., Canada, the European Union (the “EU”), the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), Japan, Australia, India, and Mexico and throughout the world, including, but not limited to, those related to contracts, securities, privacy, data protection, content regulation, intellectual property, consumer protection, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, messaging, rights of publicity, libel and defamation, health and safety, employment and labor, bribery and corruption, economic and trade sanctions, product liability, accessibility, competition, and taxation. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving and may be interpreted, applied, created, or amended in a manner that could harm or require us to change our current or future business and operations. In addition, it is possible that certain governments may seek to block or limit use or distribution of our products and services or otherwise impose other restrictions that may affect access to or operation of any or all of our products and services for an extended period of time or indefinitely.
Data Privacy and Security Laws
We are subject to various federal, state and international laws, policies, and regulations relating to the privacy and security of personal data, including personal data of consumers, customers, and employees. These laws often require companies to implement specific information security controls to protect certain types of data (such as personal data,
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“special categories of personal data” or employee data), and / or impose specific requirements relating to the collection or other processing of such data.
In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the Department of Commerce, and various states continue to call for greater regulation of the collection and processing of personal data, as well as restrictions for certain targeted advertising practices. Section 5(a) of the FTC Act grants the agency enforcement powers to combat and address “unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce,” and the FTC has used this authority extensively to hold businesses to fair and transparent privacy and security standards. Numerous states have also enacted, or are proposing legislation to enact, state-level data privacy laws and regulations governing the collection, use, disclosure, and other processing of personal data. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CCPA”) provides specific privacy rights to consumers residing in the state and imposes a range of compliance obligations on covered businesses. Compliance with the CCPA has caused, and will continue to cause, BuzzFeed to incur compliance related costs and expenses. Additionally, a number of other states have adopted or are considering similar legislation. Future changes in laws and regulations throughout the U.S., at both the federal and state levels, could impact our ability to collect data, exploit the data we do collect, limit the extent to which we can monetize that data, give rise to additional compliance costs, require us to make substantial investments in technology tools to satisfy new regulatory rules, and expose us to potential non-compliance liability. We are also subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes requirements with respect to website accessibility. Additionally, we are subject to the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Video Privacy Protection Act, each of which may place restrictions on how we operate in a manner that adversely affects our business.
In the EU, the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) imposes stringent operational requirements for processors and controllers of personal data, including with respect to data subject rights, notices and disclosures to data subjects about how personal data is processed (including information about the profiling of individuals and automated individual decision-making), records of processing activities, limiting retention of personal data, mandatory data breach notification to data protection regulators or supervisory authorities (and in certain cases, to the affected individuals), and requirements to implement additional policies and procedures to comply with the accountability principle under the GDPR. The GDPR is intended to create a single legal framework in relation to the collection, control, use, sharing, disclosure, and other processing of personal data. However, the GDPR allows for derogations where EU member states can deviate from the requirements in their own legislation, including for example, by introducing measures that apply in specific situations and implementing rules regarding legal basis of processing. It is therefore likely that, where we operate or provide services in those EU member state jurisdictions, we will need to comply with these local regulations in addition to the GDPR. Local supervisory authorities are able to impose fines for non-compliance and have the power to carry out audits, require companies to cease or change processing, request information, and obtain access to premises.
Similarly, many other countries around the world have developed laws, rules, and regulations regarding privacy and data protection, including, for example, the U.K., Canada, Japan, Australia, India, and Mexico. Additional countries are developing or expanding privacy and data security laws, rules, and regulations, or may do so in the future, which could increase our risk and compliance costs.
Countries around the world also have developed or are developing laws, rules, and regulations regarding cross-border transfers of personal data. This includes laws relating to the transfer of personal data outside the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) and the U.K. Recent legal developments in the EEA and the U.K. have created complexity and uncertainty regarding transfers of personal data from the EEA and the U.K. to “third countries,” especially the U.S. For example, in 2020, the Court of Justice of the EU (the “CJEU”) invalidated the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework (a mechanism for the transfer of personal data from the EEA to the U.S.). The CJEU also made clear that reliance on standard contractual clauses (another mechanism for the transfer of personal data outside the EEA) alone may not be sufficient in all circumstances. We currently rely on standard contractual clauses and these changes are therefore causing us to review our current compliance approach. Changes to our compliance scheme may be deemed necessary to meet the requirements of the EEA, the U.K., and other jurisdictions may result in additional costs or the inability to transfer personal data out of certain countries.
We are also subject to evolving privacy laws on cookies and e-marketing. In the EU and the U.K., regulators are increasingly focusing on compliance with requirements in the online behavioral advertising ecosystem and current national laws that implement the EU directive known as the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive 2002/58/EC on Privacy and Electronic Communications (the ePrivacy Directive) are expected to be replaced by a forthcoming EU regulation known as the e-Privacy Regulation, which will significantly increase fines for non-compliance. Informed consent is generally required for the placement of a cookie or similar technologies on a user’s device and for direct
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electronic marketing. The GDPR also imposes conditions on obtaining valid consent, such as a prohibition on pre-checked consents and a requirement to ensure separate consents are sought for each type of cookie or similar technology. The text of the e-Privacy Regulation is still under development, and recent EU regulatory guidance and court decisions have created uncertainty about the level to which such laws and regulations will be enforced, which may require us to review our compliance approach and increase compliance costs.
Seasonality
Our business is subject to some seasonal influences. Historically, our revenue is typically highest in the fourth quarter of the year due to strong advertising spend and consumer spending during this quarter.
Available Information
We file electronically with the SEC our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file with the SEC electronically. We will make available on our investor relations website at https://investors.buzzfeed.com, free of charge, copies of these reports and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
We have identified the following risks and uncertainties that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or reputation. These risks are not presented in order of importance or probability of occurrence. Further, the risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are not material may also significantly affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or reputation. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. In assessing these risks, you should also refer to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Part II, Item 7“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes.
Risk Factors Summary
The following summary highlights some of the risks we are exposed to in the normal course of our business activities. This summary is not exhaustive and the risks summarized below are not the only risks we face.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Our revenue and results of operations are highly dependent on overall advertising demand in the markets in which we operate.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from advertising products and our relationships with our advertising partners.
If we are unable to compete effectively with our competitors for traffic and advertising spend, our business and operating results could be harmed.
The market for digital advertising for brands is evolving. If this market develops more slowly or differently than we expect, our business, growth prospects, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, including the potential onset of recession, could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
The levels of our traffic and engagement with our brands and content are critical to our success.
Changes to our existing content and services could fail to attract traffic and advertisers or fail to generate revenue.
We may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to fund conversions of our unsecured convertible notes in cash, or repay the notes at maturity or repurchase them upon a fundamental change, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be able to fund through
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operations the necessary amount of capital to repay these obligations. As a result, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Declines in referrals from third-party platforms and Internet search engines, whether because of a decline in the popularity of these platforms, changes in user behavior, changes in search engine algorithms, changes to the standard terms, conditions or policies of these platform providers, or otherwise, could cause our revenue to decline.
We have incurred operating losses in the past, may incur operating losses in the future, and may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
Acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and strategic investments could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition and operating results.
Our development and implementation of AI solutions may not be successful, which may impair our ability to compete effectively, result in reputational harm and have a material adverse impact on our operating results.
We may not realize the expected financial and operational benefits of our recently announced restructuring plan, and its implementation may negatively impact our business.
The loss of key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could harm our business.
Risks Related to Financial and Accounting Matters
We previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that continue to exist. Failure to remediate the material weaknesses in a timely manner or maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may adversely impact our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations.
We have recorded significant impairment charges and could do so again in the future.
We may require additional capital to support our operations, and we cannot be certain that this capital will be available on reasonable terms when required, or at all.
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of our unsecured convertible notes, repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change such as the delisting of our Class A common stock, or repay the notes in cash at their maturity.
Restrictions imposed by the indenture governing the Notes could adversely affect our operating flexibility.
Our notes may impact our financial results, result in the dilution of our stockholders, or create downward pressure on the price of our Class A common stock.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Securities
We may issue additional shares of Class A common stock (including upon the exercise of warrants or via our at-the-market offering) which would increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to our stockholders.
We may redeem unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to the holder, thereby making the warrants worthless.
There can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money at the time they become exercisable, and they may expire worthless.
The market price of our securities may be volatile, which may increase the risk of securities-related litigation, or cause the loss of part or all of holders’ investments.
The multi-class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting power with our chief executive officer, which limits other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of shareholder votes, including but not limited to important transactions that might involve a change in control.
The continued decline in the coverage of our securities by analysts or reports published by the analysts who do cover us, including projections in those reports that differ from our actual results, could adversely affect the price and trading volume of our common shares.
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If we fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted and the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted and we may be required to purchase our unsecured convertible notes.
If our existing shareholders sell, or indicate an intent to sell, amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline.
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
Complex and evolving U.S. and foreign laws and regulations apply to our business. These laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, required changes to our business practices, monetary penalties or judgments, temporary or permanent restraining orders and injunctions, increased cost of operations, declines in traffic growth and engagement with our brands and content, or otherwise harm our business.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect, or challenges to, them could reduce the value of our content, services, and brand.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) may consume substantial financial and management resources.
Some of our employees are unionized, and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if labor agreements were to further restrict our ability to maximize the efficiency of our operations.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Our revenue and results of operations are highly dependent on overall advertising demand in the markets in which we operate. Factors that affect the amount of advertising spending, such as economic downturns and unexpected events can make it difficult to predict our revenue and could otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our business depends on the overall demand for advertising in the markets in which we operate and on the business condition of our current and prospective partners and advertisers. Macroeconomic factors in the U.S. and foreign markets, including adverse economic conditions, general uncertainty about economic recovery or growth, elevated interest rates, high unemployment, and rising inflation, could cause advertisers to reduce their advertising budgets. These macroeconomic factors have adversely affected our advertising and content revenues in 2023 and we expect these factors will continue to adversely impact our revenue in 2024. Additionally, because of these pressures, certain advertisers may not have the budget for marketing expenditures. Our business may also be negatively impacted by geopolitical concerns, which may result in conservative approaches by advertisers when allocating budgets and ad inventory. Reductions in overall advertising spending as a result of these factors, which are out of our control, or due to the occurrence of unanticipated events could result in a decrease in our revenue and potential profit or make it difficult to predict our future performance, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from advertising products and our relationships with our advertising partners.
Online advertising is an intensely competitive industry. A significant portion of our revenue is currently generated from our relationships with third-party advertisers, none of which have long-term commitments to us. Many of our advertisers spend only a relatively small portion of their overall advertising budget with us. In addition, many of our advertisers purchase our advertising services through one of several large advertising agency holding companies. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us, or they will reduce the prices they are willing to pay to advertise with us, if we do not deliver ads in an effective manner, or if they do not believe that their investment in advertising with us will generate a competitive return relative to alternatives.
Our advertising revenue could be adversely affected by a number of other factors, including:
decreases in traffic to, or engagement (including Time Spent) with, our brands and content;
the impact of macroeconomic conditions and conditions in the advertising industry in general;
the impact of new technologies or formats that could block or obscure the display of or targeting of our content;
loss of advertising market share to our competitors;
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inability to increase advertiser demand and / or inventory;
inability to demonstrate the value of our content to advertisers and advertising agencies or inability to measure the value of our content in a manner which advertisers and advertising agencies find useful;
cancellation of certain pre-paid branded advertising orders;
inability to help advertisers effectively target ads;
decreases in the cost per ad engagement;
changes in the way our ad products are priced;
inability to generate income on third-party platforms because of an absence of ad placement tools and the general monetization immaturity of certain third-party platforms;
changes to ad placement capabilities on third-party platforms;
inability to improve our analytics and measurement solutions that demonstrate the value of our content;
bad debts related to trade credit extended to certain advertisers;
our entry into revenue sharing arrangements or other partnerships with third parties;
adverse legal developments relating to advertising or measurement tools related to the effectiveness of advertising, including legislative and regulatory developments impacting branded content, labeling of advertising, privacy and consent requirements related to sharing of personal data, and / or litigation related to any of the foregoing; and
adverse media reports or other negative publicity involving us or the digital media industry as a whole.
If our relationship with any advertising partner terminates for any reason, or if our relationship with any of these partners are renewed on less favorable terms, our revenue could be adversely impacted.
If we are unable to compete effectively with our competitors for traffic and advertising spend, our business and operating results could be harmed.
Competition for traffic to, and engagement with, our content, products and services is intense. We compete against many companies to attract and engage traffic, including companies that have greater financial resources and larger user bases, and companies that offer a variety of Internet and mobile device-based content, products and services. As a result, our competitors may acquire and engage traffic at the expense of the growth or engagement of our traffic, which would negatively affect our business. We believe that our ability to compete effectively for traffic depends upon many factors both within and beyond our control, including:
the popularity, usefulness, and reliability of our content compared to that of our competitors;
the timing and market acceptance of our content;
the continued expansion and adoption of our content;
our ability, and the ability of our competitors, to develop new content and enhancements to existing content;
our ability, and the ability of our competitors, to attract, develop, and retain influencers and creative talent;
our ability, and the ability of our competitors, to develop measures for traffic, time spent and content engagement on emerging platforms, particularly platforms where no effective measurement tools currently exist;
the frequency, relative prominence and appeal of the advertising displayed by us or our competitors;
changes mandated by, or that we elect to make to address, legislation, regulatory constraints or litigation, including settlements and consent decrees, some of which may have a disproportionate impact on us;
our ability to attract, retain and motivate talented employees;
the costs of developing and procuring new content, relative to those of our competitors;
acquisitions or consolidation within our industry, which may result in more formidable competitors; and
our reputation and brand strength relative to our competitors.
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We also face significant competition for advertiser spending. We compete against online and mobile businesses and traditional media outlets, such as television, radio and print, for advertising budgets. In determining whether to buy advertising, our advertisers will consider the demand for our content, demographics of our traffic, advertising rates, results observed by advertisers, and alternative advertising options. The increasing number of digital media options available, through social networking tools and news aggregation websites, has expanded consumer choice significantly, resulting in traffic fragmentation and increased competition for advertising. In addition, some of our larger competitors have substantially broader content, product or service offerings and leverage their relationships based on other products or services to gain additional share of advertising budgets. We will need to continue to innovate and improve the monetization capabilities of our websites and our mobile products in order to remain competitive. We believe that our ability to compete effectively for advertiser spending depends upon many factors both within and beyond our control, including:
the size and composition of our user base relative to those of our competitors;
our ad targeting capabilities, and those of our competitors;
our ability, and the ability of our competitors, to adapt our model to the increasing power and significance of influencers to the advertising community;
the timing and market acceptance of our advertising content and advertising products, and those of our competitors;
our marketing and selling efforts, and those of our competitors;
the pricing for our advertising products and services relative to those of our competitors;
the return our advertisers receive from our advertising products and services, and those of our competitors; and
our reputation and the strength of our brand relative to our competitors.
If the market for digital advertising develops more slowly or differently than we expect, our business, growth prospects, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our expected performance is tied to assumptions about the behavior of the digital advertising marketplace. Technology in the media industry continues to evolve rapidly. Advances in technology have led to an increased number of methods for the delivery and consumption of news and other content. These developments are also driving changes in the preferences and expectations of consumers as they seek more control over how they consume content. Changes in technology and consumer behavior pose a number of challenges that could adversely affect our revenues and competitive position. For example, among others:
we may be unable to develop new online or digital content and services that consumers find engaging, that work with a variety of operating systems and networks and that achieve a high level of market acceptance;
as third-party platforms introduce new content formats and those formats gain popularity with audiences, this may lead to limitations on monetization of our content across these platforms, the loss of control over distribution of our content and of a direct relationship with our audience, and lower audience engagement;
we may introduce new content or services, or make changes to existing content and services, that are not favorably received by consumers;
we may not be able to adapt quickly enough to the increasing use and importance of AI tools in our industry and by our competitors;
there may be changes in sentiment of our traffic about the quality, usefulness or relevance of our existing content or concerns related to privacy, security or other factors;
failure to successfully manage changes implemented by social media platforms, search engines, news aggregators or mobile application stores and device manufacturers, including those affecting how our content and applications are prioritized, displayed and monetized, could affect our business;
consumers may increasingly use technology (such as incognito browsing) that decreases our ability to obtain a complete view of the behavior of traffic that engages with our content; and
we may be unable to maintain or update our technology infrastructure in a way that meets market and consumer demands.
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We continue to direct significant resources to mitigate these potential risks and to create content, and to build, maintain, and evolve our owned and operated properties. This allocation of resources may not achieve the desired results and thus we may not avoid an adverse impact from the outlined risks on our operating results in the near term. In addition, there can be no assurance as to our ability to use new and existing technologies to distinguish our content and services from those of our competitors or to develop in a timely manner compelling new content and services that engage traffic across platforms. If the market for digital advertising deteriorates; develops more slowly than we expect; ceases to shift from traditional advertising methods to digital advertising; experiences a reduction in demand caused by weakening economic conditions, decreases in corporate spending, or a perception that digital advertising is less effective than other media or otherwise, it could reduce demand for our offerings, which could decrease revenue or otherwise adversely affect our business. Further, if we are not successful in responding to changes in technology and consumer behavior, our business, financial condition and prospects may be adversely affected.
Adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, including the potential onset of recession, could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
Adverse macroeconomic conditions in the U.S. and globally could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. These macroeconomic factors include: inflation; current global supply chain disruptions; slower than expected growth or recession; changes to fiscal and monetary policy; any failure to raise the U.S. debt ceiling or to fund the federal government, leading to a shutdown; tightening of the credit markets; including as a result of bank failures and any resulting issues in the broader U.S. financial system; any higher interest rates; high unemployment; currency fluctuations; and the competitive labor market. These, and other, factors could adversely affect demand for advertising on our owned and operated sites and social media platforms or revenue generated from creating content, weakening our advertising sales and related revenue streams. Adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and globally have from time to time caused or exacerbated significant slowdowns in our industry and in the markets in which we operate, which have adversely affected our business and results of operations. Macroeconomic weakness and uncertainty also make it more difficult for us to accurately forecast revenue, gross margin and expenses, and may make it more difficult to raise or refinance debt.
Further, sustained uncertainty about, or worsening of, current global economic conditions, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas and any related sanctions and geopolitical tensions, and further escalation of trade tensions between the U.S. and China, could result in a global economic slowdown and long-term changes to global trade. Any or all of these factors could adversely affect our advertising revenue, content revenue, and affiliate commerce revenue, and could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and growth.
The levels of our traffic to, and engagement with, our brands and content are critical to our success.
If we fail to increase our traffic, or if traffic engagement, including Time Spent, or ad engagement declines, our revenue, business, and operating results may be harmed. Our revenue and overall financial performance has been, and will continue to be, significantly determined by our success in increasing traffic and the overall level of traffic engagement with our content, including Time Spent, as well as increasing the number and quality of ad engagements. We anticipate that our traffic growth rate will slow over time as the level of our traffic increases. To the extent our traffic growth rate slows, our success will become increasingly dependent on our ability to increase levels of ad engagement on our platforms. If people do not perceive our content to be useful, reliable and entertaining, we may not be able to attract traffic or increase the frequency of engagement, and Time Spent, on our websites and applications and with the ads that we display. There is no guarantee that we will not experience a similar erosion of our engagement levels, including Time Spent, as our traffic growth rate slows.
Further, maintaining and enhancing our brands is an important aspect of our efforts to attract and expand our traffic. Much of our new traffic is referred to us by our existing traffic. Maintaining and enhancing our brands will depend largely on our ability to continue to provide high-quality, entertaining, useful, reliable, relevant, and innovative content, which we may not do successfully. We may introduce new content, products or terms of service or policies that our traffic, partners or advertisers do not like, which may negatively affect our brand. We will also continue to experience media, legislative, and regulatory scrutiny of our content, which may adversely affect our reputation and brands. Maintaining and enhancing our brands may require us to make substantial investments and these investments may not be successful. A number of additional factors could potentially negatively affect our traffic growth and engagement, including Time Spent, including if:
traffic engages with other platforms or content as an alternative to ours;
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we are unable to convince potential new traffic of the value, usefulness, and relevance of our content;
there is a decrease in the perceived quality and relevance of our content;
we fail to introduce new and improved content or services or if we introduce new or improved content or services that are not favorably received or that negatively affect levels of traffic and engagement;
our audience believes that their experience is diminished as a result of the decisions we make with respect to the frequency, relevance, and prominence of ads that we display;
there are changes in the third-party platforms on which we rely to deliver a majority of our traffic;
there is a diminishment in the popularity of the third-party platforms on which we distribute our content;
technical or other problems prevent us from delivering our content or services in a rapid and reliable manner or otherwise affect the experience of our traffic;
we experience service outages, data protection and security issues;
our trademarks are exploited by others without permission or the value of our trademarks is diluted by our actions or the actions of others;
there are adverse changes in our content or services that are mandated by, or that we elect to make to address, legislation, regulatory constraints or litigation, including settlements or consent decrees; or
we do not maintain our brand image or our reputation is damaged, including as a result of any strategic alliances or licensing agreements with third-parties or relationships with content creators and on-camera talent.
Additionally, we receive a high degree of media coverage around the world. Negative publicity about our company, including about our content quality and reliability, changes to our content and services, privacy and security practices, labor relations, litigation, regulatory activity, and traffic experience with our content and services, even if inaccurate, could adversely affect our reputation and the confidence in and the use of our content and services. Such negative publicity could also have an adverse effect on the size, demographics, engagement and loyalty of our audience and could result in decreased revenue, which would adversely affect our business and operating results. If we are unable to increase our traffic or engagement, or if they decline, this could result in our content or services being less attractive to potential new traffic, as well as partners and advertisers, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. Additionally, if we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brands or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our business and financial results may be adversely affected.
If we do not consistently produce high quality content and products in a timely manner, our revenue may be materially and negatively impacted.
In order to remain competitive and maximize the chances that audiences select our content and platforms as opposed to the various entertainment options available to them and with which our content and platforms compete, we must continuously develop new creative and relevant content. This content may not be well received by audiences, even if of high quality. Similarly, in order to maximize the chances that consumers select our content and products as opposed to other retail options available to them, we must continue to develop new products for partners and clients, and new channels through which to reach audiences, which may not be well received by consumers, even if of high quality. Audiences and consumers may be critical of our brands, content, products, services, platforms, and / or business practices for a wide variety of reasons, and such negative reactions may not be foreseeable or within our control to manage effectively. Any failure of our content or products to resonate with audiences or consumers may result in our inability to retain existing customers, clients or partners, or engage new customers, clients or partners.
Changes to our existing content and services could fail to attract traffic and advertisers or fail to generate revenue.
We may introduce significant changes to our existing content. The success of our new content depends substantially on consumer tastes and preferences that change in often unpredictable ways. If this new content fails to engage traffic and advertisers, we may fail to generate sufficient revenue or operating profit to justify our use of resources, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected. In addition, we have launched, and expect to continue to launch, strategic initiatives, which do not yet generate material revenue, but which we believe will enhance our attractiveness to traffic and advertisers. In the future, we may invest in new content, products, services and initiatives to generate revenue, but there is no guarantee these approaches will be successful or that the costs associated with these efforts will not exceed the revenue generated. If our strategic initiatives do not enhance our ability to monetize our existing content or enable us to develop
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new approaches to monetization, we may not be able to maintain or grow our revenue or recover any associated development costs and our operating results could be adversely affected.
We may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to fund conversions of the Notes (as defined below) in cash, or repay the Notes at maturity or repurchase them upon a fundamental change, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be able to fund through operations the necessary amount of capital to repay these obligations. As a result, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Based on its assessment, our management has raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm expressed substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern in their report accompanying our audited consolidated financial statements.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 issued in connection with the Business Combination (the “Notes”). As of December 31, 2023, we had $35.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $20.1 million from December 31, 2022. On March 7, 2024, we repaid approximately $30.9 million (plus interest of $0.6 million) to holders of the Notes, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. Refer to Note 23 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details about the repayment.
Each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require us to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after December 3, 2024 (i.e. the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) before the maturity date (i.e. December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing our Notes could trigger an event of default under the indenture, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require us to repay the Notes prior to their maturity.Moreover, we will be required to repay the Notes, in cash, at their maturity, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased.
Failure of our Class A common stock to be listed on any national securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq would constitute a fundamental change under the indenture. As such, within 20 business days of a delisting, we would have to offer to repurchase the Notes, for cash, at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, no later than the 35th business day following such notice. In the absence of a refinancing of our debt, we may not have the funds on hand to make such payment within 35 business days of such a fundamental change and, in that event, may not be able to fulfill our repurchase obligation, leading to a potential event of default under the Notes.
We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to repurchase the Notes. Our ability to pay cash upon conversion of the Notes depends in part on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors including, but not limited to, rising inflation, elevated interest rates, and other negative macroeconomic factors, some of which are out of our control. Our business may not generate cash flow to service our debt. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and ability to continue as a going concern.
Our ability to repurchase or to pay cash upon conversions or at maturity of the Notes may be limited by law, regulatory authority or agreements governing any future indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase the Notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture governing the Notes or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the Notes as required by the indenture would constitute a default under the indenture. We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy all amounts due under the other indebtedness and the Notes.
As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we may, at our election, force conversion of the Notes after December 3, 2024, subject to a holder’s prior right to convert and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, if the Company failsvolume-weighted average trading price of our Class A common stock is greater than or equal to complete130% of the conversion price for more than 20 trading days during a Business Combinationperiod of 30 consecutive trading days, which has yet to occur. The closing price of our Class A common stock was $0.25 on December 29, 2023, and $0.40 on March 27, 2024. As a result, we currently believe it is unlikely we will be able to force conversion of the Notes.
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Given our current plans, we anticipate that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund operations throughout the third quarter of 2024, assuming the Notes are called in the fourth quarter of 2024. Our assessment is based on our management’s current assumptions, which may prove to be wrong, and we could spend our available financial resources faster than we currently expect.
Our ability to continue as a going concern may depend on our ability to obtain additional financing or through consummating other transactions to strengthen our balance sheet. We are currently working with external advisors to optimize our consolidated balance sheet and evaluate our assets.
A going concern opinion could impair our ability to finance our operations through public or private equity offerings, or debt financings, or a combination of one or more of these funding sources. Any additional equity or debt financing could be extremely dilutive to our current shareholders. Additional capital may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain capital, or consummate additional asset sales (if needed), our business would be jeopardized and we may not be able to continue operations.
A portion of our online traffic is generated from other third-party platforms and Internet search engines. Declines in referrals from third-party platforms could therefore cause our revenue to decline.
Our success depends in part on our ability to attract online visitors to our owned and operated properties, and we depend in part on referrals from third-party platforms and Internet search companies, most prominently Apple News, Google, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter, to direct visitors to our owned and operated properties. Our ability to maintain or increase the number of visitors to our owned and operated properties from third-party platforms and Internet search engines is not entirely within our control.
Some of these platforms have diminished, and may continue to diminish, in popularity. A diminishment in popularity in any of these platforms, whether because access to that platform is denied in certain markets or for any other reason, could negatively impact our business, revenue, and results of operations. Further, consumer adoption of AI tools to perform internet searches could impact Internet search referrals to our websites, should users forgo referrals and instead rely on large language model summaries of our content.
Third-party platforms and major tech companies continue to prioritize their formats, in lieu of sending audience traffic to publishers such as us, which may cause referrals from these platforms to our content to diminish. Additionally, search companies frequently revise their algorithms, and changes in their algorithms could cause our owned and operated properties to receive less favorable placements. If these platform providers deny access to our content, modify their current discovery mechanisms or algorithms, develop their own competitive offerings, or impose fees for access to and use of their platforms, our business could be negatively impacted. We are also subject to the Combination Period. However,standard terms, conditions, and practices of these platform providers, which govern the promotion, distribution, operation and use of our content. Platform providers have broad discretion to change their standard terms and conditions and have the right to prohibit us from distributing content on their platforms if the initial stockholders acquire Public Shareswe violate them. In addition, platform providers can change their policies or interpretations of their standard terms and conditions. Our business could suffer materially if platform providers change their standard terms and conditions, interpretations or other policies and practices in a way that is detrimental to us or after the Initial Public Offering,if platform providers determine that we are in violation of their standard terms and conditions and prohibit us from distributing our content on their platforms. Moreover, if we are unable to maintain a good relationship with these platform providers, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
While we have several initiatives underway to attract more users directly to our owned and operated websites and applications, there is no guarantee they will be successful. As such, the decline in referrals from third-party platforms and major tech companies has had, and may continue to have, an adverse impact on our revenues. Our business could also be harmed if these platforms change their terms and conditions relating to how their users share information on or through their platforms or across other platforms, which could impact our traffic and engagement.
Similarly, a single customer Amazon currently accounts for the vast majority of our affiliate commerce revenue. As such, the loss of this customer or a reduction in its commercial dealings with us for any reason could have a negative impact on that revenue.
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We have incurred operating losses in the past, may incur operating losses in the future, and may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
Since our inception, we have generally incurred significant losses and we may continue to incur net losses in the future. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had a net loss from continuing operations of $60.3 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $611.8 million. We have significantly decreased our expenses since 2022; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to increase our revenue in order to achieve or maintain profitability or generate positive cash flow. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2023, our total revenue decreased by 26% compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and strategic investments could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition and operating results.
In the past, we have made acquisitions and investments, such as our acquisition of HuffPost in February 2021 and of Complex Networks as part of the Business Combination. We have also disposed of a business (i.e., our sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2024, with Commerce Media Holdings, LLC (the “Disposition”)). We continue to work with our advisors to optimize our balance sheet and evaluate our assets. If we decide to sell assets or a business, we may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the achievement of our strategic objectives. We may also dispose of a business at a price or on terms that are different from current balance sheet values, which could result in significant asset write-down charges that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We may also incur significant or unanticipated expenses, experience greater dis-synergies than expected, or disrupt relationships with our employees, customers and business partners. There can be no assurance whether the strategic benefits and expected financial impact of any divestiture, including the Disposition, will be achieved. Such actions may also result in the diversion of management time and focus from operating our business or result in claims against us, including from stockholders. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business and results of operations.
Our development and implementation of AI solutions may not be successful, which may impair our ability to compete effectively, result in reputational harm and have a material adverse impact on our operating results.
We may seek to incorporate AI solutions into our products, services and applications. As with many innovations, AI presents risks, challenges, and unintended consequences that could impact our successful ability to incorporate the use of AI in our business. For example, our AI algorithms may be flawed and not achieve sufficient levels of accuracy or contain biased information. In addition, our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI solutions into their products more quickly or more successfully than us, and their AI solutions may achieve higher market acceptance than ours, which may result in us failing to recoup our investments in developing AI-powered applications. Our ability to employ AI, or the ability of our competitors to do so better, may impair our ability to compete effectively, result in reputational harm and have a material adverse impact on our operating results. Moreover, AI may give rise to litigation risk, including potential intellectual property or privacy liability. Because AI is an emerging technology, there is not a mature body of case law construing the appropriateness of certain of its uses of data whether through the employment of large language models or other models leveraging data found on the Internet and the evolution of this law may limit our ability to exploit AI tools, or expose us to litigation. Further, AI presents emerging ethical issues and if our use of AI algorithms draws controversy due to their perceived or actual impact on society, we may experience brand or reputational harm, competitive harm or legal liability.
We may not realize the expected financial and operational benefits of our recently announced restructuring plan, and its implementation may negatively impact our business.
In February 2024, we reduced expenses by beginning the implementation of an approximately 16% reduction in our then-current workforce (after the Disposition). In doing so, we reduced the size of our centralized operations to enable our individual brands to operate with more autonomy and deliver against their differentiated value propositions for advertisers. This reduction in workforce plan is intended to position us to be more agile, sustainable, and profitable.
There can be no assurance that our business will be more efficient or effective than prior to implementation of the plan. In addition, we cannot guarantee that this restructuring will achieve the desired and anticipated benefits within any expected timeframe. Our expectations are subject to many estimates and assumptions, and the actual savings and costs, and the timing for those savings and costs, may vary materially based on factors such as local labor regulations, collective
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bargaining agreement requirements, negotiations with third parties, and operational requirements. These estimates and assumptions are also subject to significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. Further, we have implemented restructuring plans in the past, including as recently as April 2023, and there can be no assurances that further restructuring plans will not be needed. The implementation of this restructuring plan, or any we implement in the future, may also be costly and disruptive to our business or have other negative consequences, such as litigation, attrition beyond our planned reduction in workforce, negative impacts on employee morale and productivity, or on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees. Any of these consequences could negatively impact our business.
The loss of key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could harm our business.
We currently depend upon the continued services and performance of our key personnel. We have not entered into any employment agreement or non-competition agreement with our Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Jonah Peretti, and his employment with us is at-will, as is our employment relationship with the other members of our senior management team. In 2023, our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and President departed the Company, and we eliminated certain executive-level positions. There may be other changes to our senior management team in the future. Changes to our management team may be disruptive or result in that team failing to execute our plans and strategies on a timely basis or otherwise to work together effectively. In addition, most of our content is custom-made for our business by our personnel. The loss of key personnel, including key engineering, video, editorial, and sales personnel, could disrupt our operations and have an adverse effect on our business. Further, we cannot guarantee that we can retain personnel with relevant public company experience. Negative publicity about us could adversely affect our reputation and our ability to attract and retain employees. Volatility in our stock price can impact our ability to utilize equity awards or other equity-based incentives to attract, retain and motivate employees. If we do not succeed in effectively attracting, hiring and integrating new talented personnel, or retaining and motivating existing personnel, our employee morale, productivity and retention could suffer, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
Use of content creators and on-camera talent may materially and adversely affect our reputation.
We maintain relationships with and monetize content created by many content creators and on-camera talent. Negative commentary regarding us, our products and services or content creators, talent, and other third parties who are affiliated with us may also be posted on social platforms and may be adverse to our values, reputation or business. Content creators and on-camera talent with whom we maintain relationships could engage in behavior or use their platforms to communicate directly with our consumers in a manner that reflects poorly on our brand and may be attributed to us or otherwise adversely affect us. It is not possible to prevent such behavior, and the precautions we take to detect and distance ourselves from this activity may not be effective in all cases. Our target consumers often value readily available information and could act on such information without further investigation and without regard to its accuracy. Whether the information is accurate or not, the harm may be immediate, without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Further, such behavior by a content creator or on-camera talent may result in our being unable or unwilling to continue current production or other activities, and use and monetize our library of paid or sponsored branded, editorial, syndicated and studio content featuring such creator or talent, which could have a negative impact on our revenues.
Relationships with third parties managing certain of our branded operations outside of the U.S. may materially and adversely affect our reputation.
Increasingly, our branded operations outside of the U.S. are managed via license agreements with third parties, such as our relationship with Independent Digital News Media Limited. Refer to Note 23 included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on the license agreement with Independent Digital News Media Limited. While we require the third parties to which we license our intellectual property to follow certain brand guidelines and these parties are otherwise obligated to protect the value of our property and reputation, we cannot assure that they will do so, and if they fail to do so, such failure could adversely affect our business. Further, the failure of these third parties to successfully exploit our intellectual property in the territories in which they have the exclusive right to do so could have a negative effect on our revenues or diminish the overall value of our brands which, in turn, could adversely affect our business and operating results. In addition, licensing the rights to exploit our intellectual property may make it difficult for us to sell that
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underlying property, if we want to do so, as a potential buyer may want the right to exploit it throughout the world, unencumbered by these rights.
Our financial results have fluctuated in the past and will fluctuate in the future.
Our historical financial results have fluctuated in the past and will expect they will continue to do so. Our financial results in any given reporting period may be influenced by numerous factors, many of which we are unable to predict or are outside of our control, including:
our ability to maintain and grow traffic and engagement;
changes made to the social media and other platforms that are important channels of distribution for our content, or changes in the patterns of use of those channels by users;
our ability to attract and retain advertisers in a particular period;
shifts in advertiser and consumer spending habits;
seasonal fluctuations in our revenue — for example, our revenue is typically highest in the fourth quarter of the year due to strong advertising spending and consumer spending during this quarter;
the number of ads shown to our traffic;
the pricing of our advertising products;
the diversification and growth of revenue sources beyond current advertising products;
the development and introduction of new content, products or services by us or our competitors;
increases in marketing, sales, and other operating expenses that we may incur to grow and expand our operations and to remain competitive;
our ability to maintain gross margins and operating margins; and
system failures or breaches of security or privacy.
Our historical financial results should not be relied upon as indicators of our future performance.
Our business and operating results may be harmed by a disruption in our service, or by our failure to timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and infrastructure.
Service delays, outages or disruptions, or the loss or compromise of data, could result from a variety of causes, including infrastructure changes, human or software errors, hardware failure, capacity constraints due to an overwhelming number of people accessing our products and services simultaneously, computer viruses, malicious cyber activities, denial of service, fraud or security attacks. In addition, our operations are susceptible to outages and interruptions due to fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, other natural disasters, power loss, equipment or telecommunications failures, cyber attacks, terrorist attacks, political or social unrest, and other events over which we have little or no control. We do not have multiple site capacity for all of our services and some of our systems are not fully redundant in the event of delays or disruptions to service, so some data or systems may not be fully recoverable after such events.
In addition, we rely on third-party providers over which we have little or no control for our principal Internet connections and co-location of a significant portion of our data servers. Any disruption of the services they provide us or any failure of these third-party providers to handle higher volumes of use could, in turn, cause delays or disruptions in our services and loss of revenue. Accordingly, in the event of a significant issue at the data center supporting most of our network traffic, some of our content and services may become inaccessible to the public or the public may experience difficulties accessing our content and services. Any disruption or failure in our infrastructure, whether resulting from our actions or omissions, or those of third-party providers, could hinder our ability to handle existing or increased traffic on our platform, which could significantly harm our business. As the level of our traffic increases, we may be required to expand and adapt our technology and infrastructure to continue to reliably store, serve, and analyze our content. It may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve the performance of our services, especially during peak usage times, as our services become more complex and our user traffic increases. The systems through which we provide our services are highly technical, complex, and interdependent. Design errors might exist in these systems, or might be introduced when we make modifications, which might cause service malfunctions or require services to be taken offline while corrective responses are developed. If our traffic is unable to access our platform or our content on third-party platforms, or we are not able to make content available rapidly on our platform or on third-party platforms, our traffic may seek other channels
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to obtain the information, and may not return to our platform or view our content on third-party platforms, or use our platform as often in the future, or at all. This would negatively impact our ability to attract, retain, and increase the number and engagement of our traffic, platform partners and advertisers, as well as damage our brands, generate legal costs or liability, and harm our operating results.
We track certain performance metrics with internal tools and do not independently verify such metrics. Certain of our performance metrics are subject to inherent challenges in measurement, and real or perceived inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business.
We track certain performance metrics with our internal tools which are not independently verified by any third party. Our internal tools have a number of limitations and our methodologies for tracking these metrics may change over time, which could result in unexpected changes to our metrics, including the metrics we report. If the internal tools we use to track these metrics undercount or overcount performance or contain algorithmic or other technical errors, the data we report may not be accurate. In addition, limitations or errors with respect to how we measure data (or the data that we measure) may affect our understanding of certain details of our business, which could affect our longer-term strategies. If our performance metrics are not accurate representations of our business, user base, or traffic levels, if we discover material inaccuracies in our metrics, or if the metrics we rely on to track our performance do not provide an accurate measurement of our business, our reputation may be harmed, we may be subject to legal or regulatory actions, and our operating and financial results could be adversely affected.
If we fail to effectively invest in our business, operating results could be harmed.
As we continue to look for ways to diversify our business, we may need to invest in our operating capacities, such as research and content development, in order to keep pace with our competition. In those areas where we invest, such as, for example, in our capacity to leverage AI and develop new associated products, we may face significant competition for talent and we may not be able to hire the right new employees to meet our needs. Providing our content, services and features to our audience and customers is costly and we expect there to be upward pressure on expenses as we continue to work to deepen engagement and develop and implement new features and services that require more infrastructure. While we continue to look for ways to offset these upward pressures on expenses, including by reducing costs elsewhere, we may not be successful. Our expenses may grow faster than our revenue, and our expenses may be greater than we anticipate. Any of this could negatively affect our business performance.
Our management team has limited experience managing a public company.
Many of the members of our management team have limited experience managing a publicly-traded company, interacting with public company investors, and complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. We are subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under the federal securities laws and the continuous scrutiny of securities analysts and investors. These obligations and constituents require significant attention from our senior management and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
If the security of our information technology systems or data is compromised or if our platform is subjected to attacks that frustrate or thwart our users’ ability to access our products and services, our users, advertisers, and partners may cut back on or stop using our products and services altogether, which could seriously harm our business.
Our operations involve the collection, storage, use, and transmission of personal and proprietary information of certain of our users, advertisers, and partners on our equipment, networks, and corporate systems. Our efforts to protect our sensitive information, including information that our users, advertisers, and partners have shared with us, may be unsuccessful due to the actions of third parties, including traditional “black hat” hackers, nation states, nation-state supported groups, organized criminal enterprises, hacktivists, and our personnel and contractors (through theft, misuse, or other risk). We and the third parties on which we rely may be subject to a variety of evolving threats, including social-engineering attacks, malware, malicious code, hacking, credential stuffing and denial of service.
Security breaches expose us to a risk of loss of this information, operational disruptions, litigation, remediation costs, increased costs for security measures, ransomware, loss of revenue, damage to our reputation, and potential liability. Any system failure or compromise of our security that results in the unauthorized access to or release of our traffic’s or advertisers’ data, could significantly limit our content delivery and traffic engagement, as well as harm our reputation and brands and, therefore, our business. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise.
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In particular, severe ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent. To alleviate the financial, operational, and reputational impact of these attacks, it may be preferable to make extortion payments, but we may be unwilling or unable to do so, including, for example, if applicable laws or regulations prohibit such payments. And, even if we make such payments, cyber threat actors may still disclose data, engage in further extortion, or otherwise harm our systems or data. Moreover, for certain employees, we permit a remote working environment, which has increased risks to our IT systems and data, as our employees utilize network connections, computers, and devices outside our premises or network, including working at home, while in transit and in public locations.
In addition, cyber threat actors have also increased the complexity of their attempts to compromise user accounts, despite our defenses and detection mechanisms to prevent these account takeovers. User credentials may be obtained off-platform, including through breaches of third-party platforms and services, password stealing malware, social engineering, or other tactics and techniques like credential harvesting, and used to launch coordinated attacks. Some of these attacks may be hard to detect at scale and may result in cyber threat actors using our service to spam or abuse other users, access user personal data, further compromise additional user accounts, or to compromise employee account credentials or social engineer employees into granting further access to systems.
In addition, we rely on the technology and systems provided by third-party vendors (including cloud-based service providers) for a variety of operations, including encryption and authentication technology, employee email, domain name registration, content delivery to customers, administrative functions (including payroll processing and certain finance and accounting functions), and other operations. Our ability to monitor the information security practices of these third parties is limited, and these third parties may not have adequate information security measures in place despite their contractual representations to implement such measures and our third-party service provider vetting process. If these third parties fail to implement adequate data security practices or fail to comply with our terms, policies, or contractual obligations, our sensitive information may be improperly accessed or disclosed, and we may experience adverse consequences. Even if these third parties take all of these steps, their networks may still suffer a breach, which could compromise our sensitive information. We or our third-party providers may also experience failures or malfunctions of hardware or software, the loss of technology assets, or the loss of data that, while not caused by threat actors, may have a similar impact and risk to our business. While we may be entitled to liquidating distributionsdamages if our third-party service providers fail to satisfy their privacy or security-related obligations to us, or cause the loss of our data or prolonged downtime, any award may be insufficient to cover our damages, or we may be unable to recover such award. Additionally, hardware, software or applications we procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise network and data security. We also currently use open-source software and anticipate possibly using open-source software in the Trust Accountfuture. The use of certain open-source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open-source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of software. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce our employees, traffic or advertisers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our traffic’s or advertisers’ data or accounts, or may otherwise obtain access to such data or accounts. Further, our systems, and those of third parties upon which our business relies, may be vulnerable to interruption or damage that can result from natural disasters or the effects of climate change (such as increased storm severity and flooding), fires, power or Internet outages, acts of terrorism or other similar events. If any of these or similar events occur, our or our third-party partners’ sensitive information and IT systems could be compromised, resulting in a security incident or other interruption.
While we have implemented security measures designed to protect against security incidents, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective. We take steps designed to detect and remediate vulnerabilities in our information systems (such as our hardware and software, including that of third parties upon which we rely), and we work with security researchers through our bug bounty program to help us identify vulnerabilities. We may not, however, detect, become aware of, and remediate all such vulnerabilities including on a timely basis, and there is no guarantee security researchers will disclose all vulnerabilities they become aware of or do so responsibly. Further, we may experience delays in developing or deploying remedial measures and patches designed to address identified vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities could be exploited and result in a security or privacy incident.
Information security threats are constantly evolving, increasing the difficulty of detecting and successfully defending against them. To date, no incidents have had, either individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If a perceived breach of our security occurs or an actual breach of our security that results in degraded website or application performance, unauthorized access, availability problems, or the loss or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed, our traffic, advertisers, and
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partners may lose trust and confidence in us or decrease the use of our websites, applications or services or stop using our services in their entirety; and we may incur significant legal and financial exposure, including legal claims, higher transaction fees, and regulatory fines and penalties. Despite our implementation of network security measures, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, malware, worms, hacking, physical and electronic break-ins, router disruption, sabotage or espionage, and other disruptions from unauthorized access and tampering, as well as coordinated denial-of-service attacks. We may not be in a position to promptly address attacks or to implement adequate preventative measures if we are unable to immediately detect such attacks. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, and operating results. Such events could result in large expenditures to investigate or remediate, to recover data, to repair or replace networks or information systems, including changes to security measures, to deploy additional personnel, to defend litigation or to protect against similar future events, and may cause damage to our reputation or loss of revenue. Certain data privacy and security obligations may require us to implement and maintain specific security measures or industry-standard or reasonable security measures to protect our systems and sensitive information.
Any security incident experienced by us or our third-party partners could damage our reputation and our brand, and diminish our competitive position. Applicable privacy and security obligations may require us to notify relevant stakeholders, including affected individuals, customers, regulators, and investors, of security incidents. Such disclosures are costly and the failure to comply with these legal requirements could lead to adverse consequences. Governments and regulatory agencies (including the SEC) have and may continue to enact new disclosure requirements for cybersecurity events. In addition, affected users or government authorities could initiate legal or regulatory action against us, including class-action claims, mass arbitration demands, investigations, penalties, and audits, which could be time-consuming and cause us to incur significant expenses or liabilities or result in orders or consent decrees forcing us to modify our business practices. We could also experience loss of user or advertiser confidence in the security of our platform, additional reporting requirements or oversight, restrictions on processing sensitive information, claims by our partners or other relevant parties that we have failed to comply with contractual obligations or our policies, and indemnification obligations. We could also spend material resources to investigate or correct the incident and to prevent future incidents. Maintaining the trust of our users is important to sustain our growth, retention, and user engagement. Concerns over our privacy and security practices, whether actual or unfounded, could damage our reputation and brand and deter users, advertisers, and partners from using our products and services. Any of these occurrences could seriously harm our business.
Some of our services contain open-source software, and we license some of our software through open-source projects, which may pose particular risks to our proprietary software, products, and services in a manner that could have a negative effect on our business.
We use open-source software in our products and services and will use open-source software in the future. In addition, we contribute software source code to open-source projects under open-source licenses or release internal software projects under open-source licenses, and anticipate doing so in the future. The terms of many open-source licenses to which we are subject have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and there is a risk that open-source software licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide or distribute our products or services. Additionally, we may from time to time face claims from third parties claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the open-source software or derivative works that we developed using such software, which could include our proprietary source code, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open-source license. These claims could result in litigation and could require us to make our software source code freely available, purchase a costly license or cease offering the implicated products or services unless and until we can re-engineer them to avoid infringement. This re-engineering process could require significant additional research and development resources, and we may not be able to complete it successfully. In addition to risks related to license requirements, use of certain open-source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open-source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of software. Additionally, because any software source code we contribute to open-source projects is publicly available, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights with respect to such Public Sharessoftware source code may be limited or lost entirely, and we may be unable to prevent our competitors or others from using such contributed software source code. Any of these risks could be difficult to eliminate or manage, and, if not addressed, could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our traffic growth, engagement, and monetization depend upon effective operation within and compatibility with operating systems, networks, devices, web browsers and standards, including mobile operating systems, streaming tools, networks, and standards that we do not control.
We make our content available across a variety of operating systems and through websites. We are dependent on the compatibility of our content with popular devices, streaming tools, desktop and mobile operating systems and web
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browsers that we do not control, such as Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS, Chrome, and Firefox. Any changes in such systems, devices or web browsers that degrade the functionality of our content or give preferential treatment to competitive content could adversely affect usage of our content. A majority of our traffic accesses our content and services through mobile devices and we expect to continue to devote significant resources to the creation and support of developing new and innovative mobile products, services and applications. As a result, our ability to grow advertising revenue is increasingly dependent on our ability to generate revenue from content viewed and engaged with on mobile devices. We are dependent on the interoperability of our content and our applications with popular mobile operating systems, streaming tools, networks and standards that we do not control, such as the Android and iOS operating systems. Our mobile applications are downloaded from third-party app stores, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play. We may not be successful in maintaining or developing relationships with key participants in the mobile industry or in developing content or applications that operate effectively with these technologies, systems, tools, networks, or standards. Any changes in such systems, or changes in our relationships with mobile operating system partners, handset manufacturers, or mobile carriers, or in their terms of service or policies that reduce or eliminate our ability to distribute our content or applications, impair access to our content by blocking access through mobile devices, make it hard to readily discover, install, update or access our content and applications on mobile devices, give preferential treatment to competitive, or their own, content or applications, limit our ability to measure the effectiveness of branded content, or charge fees related to the distribution of our content or applications could adversely affect the consumption and monetization of our content on mobile devices. Additionally, if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.


number of platforms for which we develop our products expands, it will result in an increase in our operating expenses. In the event of such distribution,that it is possiblemore difficult to access our content or use our applications and services, particularly on mobile devices, or if our traffic chooses not to access our content or use our applications on their mobile devices or choose to use mobile products that do not offer access to our content or our applications, or if the per share valuepreferences of our traffic requires us to increase the number of platforms on which our product is made available to our traffic, our traffic growth, engagement, ad targeting and monetization could be harmed and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our business depends on continued and unimpeded access to our content and services on the Internet. If we or those who engage with our brands or content experience disruptions in Internet service or if Internet service providers are able to block, degrade or charge for access to our content and services, we could incur additional expenses and the loss of traffic and advertisers.
We depend on the ability of our traffic and advertisers to access the Internet. Currently, this access is provided by companies that have significant market power in the broadband and Internet access marketplace, including incumbent telephone companies, cable companies, mobile communications companies, government-owned service providers, device manufacturers and operating system providers, any of whom could take actions that degrade, disrupt or increase the cost of access by our traffic to our content, products or services, which would, in turn, negatively impact our business. The adoption of any laws or regulations that adversely affect the growth, popularity or use of the residual assets remaining availableInternet, including laws or practices limiting Internet neutrality, could decrease the demand for, distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.00. In orderor the usage of, our content, products and services, increase our cost of doing business and adversely affect our operating results. We also rely on other companies to protectmaintain reliable network systems that provide adequate speed, data capacity, and security to us and our traffic. As the amounts heldInternet continues to experience growth in the Trust Account,level of traffic, frequency of engagement, and amount of data transmitted, the Sponsor agreedInternet infrastructure that we and our traffic rely on may be unable to be liable tosupport the Company ifdemands placed upon it. Failures of the Internet infrastructure that we or our traffic rely on, even for a short period of time, could undermine our operations and toharm our operating results.
Adverse developments affecting the extentfinancial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect our current and projected business operations and its financial condition and results of operations.
Actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any claims by a third party (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a letterevents of intent, confidentialitythese kinds or other similar agreementrisks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. For example, in March 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, where we historically maintained significant deposits, and another bank were swept into receivership. While the U.S. Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the FDIC guaranteed all deposits, above and beyond the limit on insured deposits at these banks, there can be no assurance that there will not be additional bank failures or issues in the broader
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U.S. financial system, which may have an impact on the broader capital markets and, in turn, our ability to access those markets.
Further, we have historically maintained most of our deposits at a limited number of financial institutions and retain lending relationships with a limited number of banking institutions. If our relationship banks and financial institutions experience difficulties, our ability to access our cash and cash equivalents, including transferring funds, making payments, or receiving funds may be threatened. Similarly, if any parties with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds pursuant to lending arrangements with a closed financial institution, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to us or to enter into new commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to us could be adversely affected.
In addition, historically our deposit accounts have held deposits in excess of the FDIC-insured amount of $250,000 (actual dollars) per depositor. There can be no assurance our deposits in excess of the FDIC or other comparable insurance limits will be backstopped by the U.S. government or that any bank or financial institution with which we do business will be able to obtain needed liquidity from other banks, government institutions, or by acquisition in the event of a failure or liquidity crisis.
Our international operations are subject to challenges and risks.
We have offices around the world and our content is available in multiple languages. Our business and the conduct of our operations internationally requires considerable management attention and resources and is subject to the particular challenges of supporting a business in an environment of multiple languages, cultures, customs, legal and regulatory systems, alternative dispute systems and commercial markets. Operating internationally subjects us to risks, and may increase risks that we currently face, including risks associated with:
recruiting, integrating and retaining talented and capable employees in foreign countries and maintaining our company culture across all of our offices;
providing our content and operating across a significant distance, in different languages and among different cultures, including the potential need to modify our products, content and services to ensure that they are culturally relevant in different countries;
increased competition from local media companies and mobile applications which have expanded and may continue to expand their geographic footprint;
differing and potentially lower levels of user growth, user engagement, and ad engagement in new and emerging geographic territories;
operating through license agreements with third parties managing certain BuzzFeed branded operations outside of the U.S.;
compliance with applicable foreign laws and regulations, including laws and regulations with respect to privacy, consumer protection, and media freedom;
operating in jurisdictions that do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the U.S.;
compliance with anti-corruption laws including, without limitation, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and U.K. Bribery Act (and local law analogues);
compliance with economic and trade sanctions set by, among others, the Office of Foreign Assets Control against targeted foreign governments, entities and individuals;
risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as we transact business in various foreign currencies, including obtaining revenue and incurring costs denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound, Japanese yen, and Canadian dollar and, accordingly, changes in exchange rates, could negatively affect our and results of operations as expressed in U.S. dollars, a risk we do not currently engage in hedging activities to limit;
foreign exchange controls that might require significant lead time in setting up operations in certain geographic territories and might prevent us from repatriating cash earned outside the U.S.;
double taxation of our international earnings and potentially adverse tax consequences due to changes in the tax laws of the U.S. or the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; and
higher costs of doing business internationally, including increased accounting, travel, infrastructure, and legal compliance costs.
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If we are unable to manage the complexity of our global operations successfully, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
Our flexible working arrangements may have an adverse effect on our business.
Our employees can work from home when and where possible. The remote working environment may create increased vulnerability to cybersecurity incidents, including breaches of information systems security, which could damage our reputation and commercial relationships. Over time, such remote operations may decrease the cohesiveness of our teams and our ability to maintain our culture, both of which are critical to our success. Additionally, a remote working environment may impede our ability to undertake new business projects, foster a creative environment, and hire and retain team members. Such effects may adversely affect the productivity of our team members and overall operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and future prospects.
Our business is subject to the risks of earthquakes, fire, power outages, floods and other catastrophic events, and to interruption by man-made problems such as terrorism.
A significant natural disaster, such as an earthquake, fire, flood or significant power outage could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Despite any precautions we may take, the occurrence of a natural disaster or other unanticipated event could impact our cloud infrastructure and result in lengthy interruptions in our services. In addition, acts of terrorism and other geopolitical unrest (including the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas and between Russia and Ukraine) could cause disruptions in our business. All of the aforementioned risks may be further increased if our disaster recovery plans prove to be inadequate. We have implemented a disaster recovery program for a subset of our properties, which allows us to serve static content or switch content delivery networks in the event of a catastrophe. Although the program is functional, our properties will have degraded experiences including a period of time that our products or services, or certain of our products or services, will remain inaccessible or people may experience severe issues accessing our products and services. Any such natural disaster or man-made problem could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and operating results. Further, a portion of our employees are journalists, who may face heightened dangers during such catastrophes, particularly when reporting in high-risk environments, and any failure on our part to mitigate such risks could cause us reputational harm and adversely impact our business, financial condition, and operating results.
The COVID-19 pandemic and other similar health pandemics or epidemics may have an adverse effect, or a temporary and unsustainable positive impact, on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We face risks related to health pandemics and epidemics, including risks related to any responses thereto by the federal, state or foreign governments, as well as our customers and business partners, to attempt to mitigate the spread of disease, all of which are out of our control. Such actions could impact national and global economic activity or the capital and financial markets, which may impact the financial circumstances of our customers and business partners or contribute to a general economic slowdown. Any of these things could adversely affect our operations and distribution network, and we could experience and expect prolonged unpredictable reductions in supply and demand for certain of our products and services. Any extended decline in demand for our products and services or disruption in our ability to service our customers or business partners could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations, and cash flows. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar public health threat has an impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, it is likely also to have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” section.
Conversely, we believe that the COVID-19 pandemic drove a shift in commerce from offline to online, including an increase in online shopping, which we believe contributed to the rapid growth we experienced in our commerce revenue for 2020 (which has since subsided). There can be no assurance that there will be a positive impact on our results of operations from any future health pandemic or epidemic or that, if there is, it would be sustainable or would otherwise be an indicator of future performance.
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Risks Related to Financial and Accounting Matters
We previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that continue to exist. Failure to remediate the material weaknesses in a timely manner or maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may adversely impact our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination agreement (a “Target”), reduceof deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the amountfinancial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that we are currently working to remediate, which relate to: (1) a lack of fundsformalized internal control and segregation of duties surrounding the financial statement close process, and (2) selection and development of control activities, including IT general controls. Our management notes a prior year material weakness related to ineffective upstream processes for gathering critical data to support a formalized assessment and review of certain technical accounting matters has been remediated as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2023.
During 2023, with the oversight of the audit committee of our board of directors, we continued to develop, refine, and execute upon plans to remediate the material weaknesses identified above. With respect to the financial statement close process, our management developed improvements for certain higher risk and material balance sheet reconciliation schedules and supporting financial calculations and analyses. However, certain business process controls were not designed or did not operate at the appropriate level of precision to prevent or detect a material misstatement, and conflicts with respect to segregation of duties were identified across our end-to-end financial statement close process. Our management will continue to implement remediation plans to define control procedures, enhance documentation, and enforce segregation of duties to ensure controls are adequately designed and operate sufficiently including, but not limited to: enhancing certain higher risk balance sheet reconciliation schedules, completeness and accuracy, and related review procedures; enhancing review procedures with respect to financial results and supporting financial calculations; designing processes and controls to adequately segregate job responsibilities; redesigning workflow approval routing and security permissions; and reducing reliance on manual controls.
With respect to a lack of formalized IT general controls in the Trust Accountarea of change management and logical security controls over financial IT systems, our management began implementing remediation plans to belowaddress certain control deficiencies around system development and change management and IT security, including formalizing the lesserprocesses and controls around security administration and implementing user access reviews for certain key financial systems. However, we did not have sufficient resources with technical expertise to centralize certain IT functions and to provide adequate IT oversight over financial systems. Our management intends to revisit its IT sustainment plan to further support and provide appropriate oversight over key financial systems, and intends to implement remediation plans, including, but not limited to: centralizing the change management and security administration function; implementing policies and procedures with respect to change management, system development, and application-level security; documenting test procedures and approvals relating to changes made to production; maintaining separate development, test, and production environments; formalizing controls around security administration; and implementing real-time monitoring.

These improvements to our internal control environment are ongoing, including during the preparation of (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Accountour financial statements as of the dateend of the liquidationperiod covered by this report. While we are working to remediate the material weaknesses as efficiently and effectively as possible, we cannot predict the success of our remediation plan. As such, full remediation could potentially extend beyond December 31, 2024. We are committed to continuing to improve our internal control processes and will continue to diligently review our financial reporting controls and procedures. We cannot assure you that we will not identify other material weaknesses in future periods. We have expended, and expect to continue to expend, significant time and resources with the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share dueaim of remediating our material weaknesses. If not remediated, these material weaknesses could result in material misstatements to reductionsour annual or interim consolidated financial statements that might not be prevented or detected on a timely basis, or in the valuedelayed filing of required periodic reports.

If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors may lose confidence in the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not applyaccuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our Class A common stock and warrants could be adversely affected, or we could become subject to any claimslitigation or investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
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We have recorded significant impairment charges and could do so again in the future, which could have a third party or Target that executed a waivermaterial adverse impact on our results of any and all rightsoperations.
In 2022, we recorded material charges related to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnityimpairment of the underwritersour goodwill and certain long-lived assets. We had approximately $57.6 million of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Actgoodwill and $26.7 million of 1933,acquired intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheet as amended. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $202,000 in cash, and working capital deficit of approximately $325,000, excluding franchise tax payable.

The Company’s liquidity needs prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering were satisfied through the cash proceeds of $25,000 from the sale of the Founder Shares (as defined in Note 4), loan from the Sponsor of $300,000 under the Note (as defined in Note 4), and advances from related party of approximately $13,000 (Note 5)2023. The Company repaid the Note of $300,000 in full on January 14, 2021 and the Company reimbursed the advances from the related party in full in February 2021. Subsequent to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Company’s liquidity needs have been satisfied through the net proceeds from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement held outside of the Trust Account.

Based on the foregoing, management has since reevaluated the Company’s liquidity and financial condition and believes that the Company will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using the funds held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity withUnder accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (i.e., U.S. GAAP), we are required to review our intangible assets, including goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of Americathese assets may not be recoverable. We perform an assessment of goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. When testing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value or we may determine to proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test.

Circumstances which could trigger an assessment of goodwill for impairment include, but are not limited to: a significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; significant negative industry or economic trends; our overall financial performance such as negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods; other relevant entity-specific events including changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers; and other events affecting our single reporting unit.
Additionally, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Circumstances which could trigger such a review include, but are not limited to, the following: significant decreases in the market price of the asset; significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors; accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of the asset; current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or aforecast of continuing losses associated with the use of the asset; and current expectations that the asset will more likely than not be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful life.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, we experienced a further sustained decline in share price that pushed our market capitalization below the carrying value of our stockholders’ equity. We concluded the sustained decline in share price was a triggering event and performed a quantitative impairment assessment with respect to goodwill. The quantitative impairment assessment was performed as of December 31, 2023, utilizing a combination of the income and market approaches. We concluded that the fair value of our single reporting unit exceeded the carrying value, and as such, there was no impairment as of December 31, 2023. Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” within Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein for additional information.
Our impairment analysis is sensitive to changes in key assumptions used in our analysis, such as expected future cash flows, the degree of volatility in equity and debt markets, and our stock price. If the assumptions used in our analysis are not realized, and if our fair value declines to below our carrying value, it is possible that an impairment charge may need to be recorded in the future. Under U.S. GAAP, if we determine goodwill or intangible assets are impaired, we will be required to write down these assets. Any write-down could have a negative effect on the consolidated financial statements and could impact our compliance with the equity requirement of the Nasdaq listing rules.
We may require additional capital to support our operations and we cannot be certain that this capital will be available on reasonable terms when required, or at all.
Our operating cash flows, together with cash and cash equivalents, may be insufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements and, from time to time, we may need additional financing to operate or grow our business. Our ability to obtain additional financing, if and when required, will depend on investor and lender demand, our operating performance, and the condition of the capital markets and other factors, some of which are outside of our control. We do not know whether additional financing will be available to us on favorable terms when required, or at all. For example, the U.S. Federal Reserve began raising its benchmark rate in March 2022, increasing the rate by a total of 5.25% since the start of 2022. Such increases and any future increases may, among other things, reduce the availability and increase the costs of obtaining new variable rate debt and refinancing existing indebtedness, and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, inflation has increased as a result of, among other factors, supply constraints, federal stimulus funding, increases to household savings, and the sudden macroeconomic shift in activity levels arising from the loosening or removal of many government restrictions associated with COVID-19 and the broader availability of vaccines. Increased inflation has had, and may continue to have, an effect on interest rates. Increased interest rates may also
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adversely affect our ability to obtain, or the terms under which we can obtain, any potential additional funding. See Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, and our operating cash flows, together with cash and cash equivalents, are otherwise insufficient, our ability to continue to support the operation or growth of our business could be significantly impaired and our operating results may be harmed.
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the Notes, repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change or repay the Notes in cash at their maturity, and any future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion, redemption or repurchase of the Notes.
Each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require us to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after December 3, 2024 (i.e., the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) before the maturity date (i.e., December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing our Notes could trigger an event of default under the indenture, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require us to repay the Notes prior to their maturity. Further, if we experience a change of control on or after December 3, 2024, we would be required to offer to repurchase the Notes, for cash, at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Moreover, we will be required to repay the Notes, in cash, at their maturity, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of such Notes surrendered or pay cash with respect to such Notes being converted and our noteholders could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Please see Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
In addition, our ability to repurchase, redeem or to pay cash upon conversion of Notes may be limited by law, regulatory authority, or agreements governing any future indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase the Notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture or to pay cash upon conversion of such Notes as required by the indenture would constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing any future indebtedness. If the payment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the interest on such indebtedness and repurchase the Notes or to pay cash upon conversion of the Notes.
Restrictions imposed by the indenture governing the Notes could adversely affect our operating flexibility. We may need to seek amendments to the indenture in some cases in order to take actions, which are otherwise limited by the covenants contained therein, and our noteholders may not agree to such amendments.

The indenture governing the Notes limits our ability to, among other things:
incur or guarantee certain additional debt;
make certain investments and acquisitions in certain circumstances;
pay dividends or repurchase capital stock;
incur certain liens or permit them to exist;
enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
merge or consolidate with another company in certain circumstances; and
transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets in certain circumstances.
The provisions in the indenture governing the Notes may affect our ability to obtain future financing and to pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. We may need to seek amendments to the indenture in some cases in order to take actions which are otherwise limited by the covenants therein. As a result, restrictions in our debt facilities could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our current or future debt obligations may restrict our business operations.
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As of December 31, 2023, we had $158.8 million of indebtedness outstanding. As discussed in Note 23 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, on February 21, 2024, we terminated our three-year $50.0 million revolving loan and standby letter of credit facility agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Furthermore, on March 7, 2024, we repaid approximately $30.9 million of the Notes. Consequently, we had approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024.
Our ability to make scheduled payments with respect to, or to refinance, the Notes depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and certain financial, business, and other factors beyond our control. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives.
The Notes may impact our financial results, result in the dilution of our stockholders, create downward pressure on the price of our Class A common stock, and restrict our ability to raise additional capital or take advantage of future opportunities.
The Notes, mature on December 3, 2026, are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock at an initial conversion price of $12.50 and bear interest at a rate of 8.50% per annum, payable semi-annually. As of December 31, 2023, the Notes were convertible into approximately 12,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock and, as of March 7, 2024, the Notes were convertible into approximately 9,528,000 shares of our Class A common stock. The sale of the Notes may affect our earnings per share figures, as accounting procedures may require that we include in our calculation of earnings per share the number of shares of Class A common stock into which the Notes are convertible. If shares of Class A common stock are issued to the holders of the Notes upon conversion, there will be dilution to our stockholders and the market price of our Class A common stock may decrease due to the additional selling pressure in the market. Any downward pressure on the price of our Class A common stock caused by the sale, or potential sale, of shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes could also encourage short sales by third parties, creating additional selling pressure on our share price.
Our warrants that are accounted for as liabilities and the changes in value of our warrants could have a material effect on the market price of our common stock or our financial results.
We account for the 9,842,500 warrants issued in connection with 890’s initial public offering (including the 9,583,333 public warrants sold as part of the units in the initial public offering and the 259,167 private placement warrants underlying the private placement units) in accordance with the guidance contained in Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Such guidance provides that, because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, we classify each warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date, with a resulting non-cash gain or loss related to the change in the fair value being recognized in earnings in the consolidated statements of operations. With each such remeasurement, the warrant liability is adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in our consolidated statement of operations and therefore our reported earnings. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, our consolidated financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly based on factors which are outside of our control. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we recognize non-cash gains or losses on our warrants each reporting period and that the amount of such gains or losses has been, and could continue to be, material. The impact of changes in fair value on earnings may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock. Refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
As of December 31, 2023, we had accumulated $358.3 million and $13.3 million of U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“GAAP”NOLs”), respectively, available to reduce future taxable income, some of which will begin to expire in 2030 for U.S. federal tax purposes and 2025 for state tax purposes. It is possible that we will not generate sufficient taxable income in time to use our NOLs before their expiration, or at all. Under Section 382 and Section 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOLs and other tax attributes, including research and development tax credits, to offset its post-change income may be limited. In general, an “ownership change” will occur if there is a cumulative change
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in our ownership by “five percent stockholders” that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. Our ability to use NOLs and other tax attributes to reduce future taxable income and liabilities may be subject to annual limitations as a result of prior ownership changes and ownership changes that may occur in the future.
Under the Tax Act, as amended by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), U.S. federal NOLs arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2021 may be carried back to each of the five taxable years preceding the tax year of such loss, but NOLs arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020 may not be carried back. Additionally, under the Tax Act, as modified by the CARES Act, U.S. federal NOLs from tax years that began after December 31, 2017 may offset no more than 80% of current taxable income annually for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020, but the 80% limitation on the use of NOLs from tax years that began after December 31, 2017 does not apply for taxable income in tax years beginning before January 1, 2021. U.S. federal NOLs arising in tax years ending after December 31, 2017 can be carried forward indefinitely, but NOLs generated in tax years ending before January 1, 2018 will continue to have a two-year carryback and twenty-year carryforward period. As we maintain a full valuation allowance against our U.S. federal NOLs, these changes will not impact our balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. However, in future years, if and when a net deferred tax asset is recognized related to our NOLs, the changes in the carryforward and carryback periods as well as the new limitation on use of NOLs, may significantly impact our valuation allowance assessments for NOLs generated after December 31, 2023.
There is also a risk that due to regulatory changes, such as suspensions on the use of NOLs and tax credits by certain jurisdictions, possibly with retroactive effect, or other unforeseen reasons, our existing NOLs and tax credits could expire or otherwise be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. A temporary suspension of the use of certain NOLs and tax credits has been enacted in Illinois, and other states may enact suspensions as well. For these reasons, we may not be able to realize a tax benefit from the use of our NOLs and tax credits.
Our reported financial informationresults may be adversely affected by changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
Generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (i.e., GAAP) are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC, and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Securities
We may issue additional shares of Class A common stock (including upon the exercise of our warrants or via our at-the-market offering), which would increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to our stockholders.
We have previously entered into, and may in the future enter into, contractual arrangements with certain customers and other parties, and earnout arrangements in connection with acquisitions that, in each case, provide for the issuance of our warrants and/or common stock upon achievement of specified milestones. As of December 31, 2023, there were: outstanding public warrants originally issued by 890, but which we assumed in connection with the Business Combination, exercisable for an aggregate of 9,583,333 shares of our Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. In addition, there were 259,167 outstanding private placement warrants, also originally issued by 890 and assumed by us in connection with the Business Combination, and 33,333 outstanding working capital warrants, issued by us in connection with the Business Combination, exercisable for an aggregate of 292,500 shares of our Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Further, as of December 31, 2023, the Notes were convertible into approximately 12,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock and, as of March 7, 2024, the Notes were convertible into approximately 9,528,000 shares of our Class A common stock. Moreover, we may issue a substantial number of additional shares of our Class A common stock (or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Class A common stock) in the future, whether pursuant to the at-the-market-offering described in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under which to which there were 11,196,473 shares reserved for issuance as of December 31, 2023, or in connection with contractual relationships with customers, acquisitions, pursuant to compensation arrangements or as a result of financing transactions. The issuance of additional shares of our Class A common stock as a result of any of the aforementioned transactions may result in dilution to the holders of our Class A common stock and an increase in the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market.
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Sales of a substantial number of such shares in the public markets may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, the impact of which is increased as the value of our stock price increases.
We may redeem unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to the holder, thereby making the warrants worthless.
We have the ability to redeem our outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date we give notice of redemption. If and when the public warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise the redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the outstanding public warrants could force holders to: (i) exercise the warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so; (ii) sell the warrants at the then-current market price when the holder might otherwise wish to hold on to such warrants; or (iii) accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of the warrants. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by their initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.
In addition, we may redeem warrants after they become exercisable for a number of shares of our Class A common stock determined based on the redemption date and the fair market value of Class A common stock. Any such redemption may have similar consequences to a cash redemption described above. In addition, such redemption may occur at a time when the warrants are “out-of-the-money,” in which case the holder would lose any potential embedded value from a subsequent increase in the value of our Class A common stock had the warrants remained outstanding.
There can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money at the time they become exercisable, and they may expire worthless.
The exercise price for the outstanding public warrants is $11.50 per share of our Class A common stock. There can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money following the time they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, and as such, the warrants may expire worthless.
The market price of our securities is volatile, which may increase the risk of securities-related litigation, or cause the loss of part or all of holders’ investments.
The price of our Class A common stock and public warrants is volatile. In addition, if we are unable to meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our Class A common stock and public warrants may decline. Some companies that have experienced volatility in the trading price of their securities have been the subject of securities litigation. Any securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business.
In addition, if the market for technology stocks or the stock market in general experiences a loss of investor confidence, the price of our Class A common stock and public warrants could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial performance, or growth. Stock prices of many digital native and technology companies have historically been highly volatile.
The trading price of our securities is volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Fluctuations in the price of our securities could contribute to the loss of all or part of holders’ investments. Any of the factors listed below could have a material adverse effect on investments in our securities and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price originally paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.
Factors affecting the trading price of our securities may include:
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial results or the financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us;
changes in the market’s expectations about our operating results;
changes in the industries in which we and our customers operate;
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success of competitors;
operating results failing to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in a particular period;
changes in the level of coverage of our securities by securities analysts or changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning us or the industry in which we operate in general;
the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;
operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;
ability to market new and enhanced products and services on a timely basis;
changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;
commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving us;
additions and departures of key personnel;
changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt;
the volume of shares of our Class A common stock available for public sale;
any major change in our board of directors;
sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur; and
general economic and political conditions such as recessions, increased interest rates, inflationary pressures, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, labor shortage and disputes, acts of war, terrorism, and the direct and indirect results of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the markets and the broader global economy.
Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and the Nasdaq specifically, have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, securityholders may not be able to sell their securities at or above the price at which they were acquired. A loss of investor confidence in the market for the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.
The multi-class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting power with our Chief Executive Officer, which limits other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including a change in control.
In addition to voting together with our Class A common stock (with one vote per share) on all matters, the holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 50 votes for each share of Class B common stock held of record by such holder on each matter on which such holders of such shares are entitled to vote, as set out in our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation. As of December 31, 2023, Jonah Peretti and his affiliates held approximately 96% of our Class B common stock and, as such, approximately 64% of the voting power of our common stock. Accordingly, Mr. Peretti is able to exert substantial influence over matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and amendments of our organizational documents, and an approval right over any acquisition or liquidation of our company. Mr. Peretti may have interests that differ from those of the other stockholders and may vote in a way with which the other stockholders disagree and which may be adverse to their interests. This concentrated control may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of BuzzFeed, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their capital stock as part of a sale of BuzzFeed, and might ultimately affect the market price of shares of our Class A common stock.
Anti-takeover provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
In addition to the substantial influence that Mr. Peretti is able to exert over matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including an approval right over any acquisition or liquidation of our company, our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could
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delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities. These provisions include, among other things:
no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors;
the right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director in certain circumstances, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on the board of directors;
requirement of supermajority voting (or if two-thirds of our board of directors approves, a majority) to amend some provisions in our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws;
authorization of the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan;
only a majority of our board of directors will be authorized to call a special meeting of stockholders;
the right of our board of directors to make, alter, or repeal our restated bylaws;
advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings;
a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders; and
the requirement that a meeting of stockholders may not be called by the stockholders, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay hostile takeovers and changes in control of our company or changes in our board of directors or our management.
As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which prevents some stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders of substantially all of our common stock. Any provision of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation or restated bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
The continued decline in the coverage of our securities by analysts or reports published by the analysts who do cover us, including projections in those reports that differ from our actual results, could adversely affect the price and trading volume of our common shares.
The trading market for our Class A common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us, our business, our markets, and our competitors. Securities research analysts may establish and publish their own periodic projections for our company. These projections may vary widely and may not accurately predict the results we actually achieve. Our share price or trading volume may decline if our actual results do not match the projections of these securities research analysts. Similarly, if one or more of the analysts who write reports on us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price or trading volume could decline. Currently, we are covered by just one analyst. If this analyst ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, the market price and trading volume for our common shares could be adversely affected.
If we fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted and the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted.
Our Class A common stock is currently listed for trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market. We must satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, including, among other things, a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, or risk delisting. On May 31, 2023, we received a letter from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department notifying us that, for the
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previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our Class A common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Global Market. We did not regain compliance during the initial 180-day period provided to us and, on November 28, 2023, Nasdaq approved a second 180-day period to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement in conjunction with a transfer to The Nasdaq Capital Market. As such, the bid price for our Class A common stock needs to close at $1.00 or more for at least 10 consecutive business days prior to May 28, 2024 (i.e., starting on May 13, 2024). If we do not regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by May 28, 2024, Nasdaq will notify us that our securities are subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, we may appeal the Listing Qualifications Department’s determination to delist our securities before the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel. However, there can be no assurance that, if we receive a delisting notice and appeal the delisting determination, such an appeal would be successful. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
A delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq would materially reduce the liquidity of our common stock and result in a corresponding material reduction in the price of our common stock. Any such event could make it more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate quotations for the price of, our common stock. It could also lead to the failure of our securities to be covered by securities analysts or the reduction in our coverage by the news media, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline further. In addition, delisting could harm our ability to raise capital through alternative financing sources on terms acceptable to us, or at all, and may result in the potential loss of confidence by investors, customers, business partners and employees and fewer business development opportunities. Further, under the indenture governing the Notes, the failure of our Class A common stock to be listed on any national securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq would constitute a fundamental change, giving the holders of the Notes the right to require us to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of their Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Unless our common stock continues to be listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq, it will become subject to the so-called “penny stock” rules that impose restrictive sales practice requirements.
In addition to the foregoing, if our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and is, instead, traded on the over-the-counter market, the application of the “penny stock” rules could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and increase the transaction costs to sell those shares. The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” as any equity security not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. If our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and is traded on the over-the-counter market at a price of less than $5.00 per share, our common stock would be considered a penny stock. Unless otherwise exempted, the SEC’s penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stock and the risks in the penny stock market, the current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and the salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. Further, prior to a transaction in a penny stock, the penny stock rules require the broker-dealer to provide a written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s agreement to the transaction. If applicable in the future, the penny stock rules may restrict the ability of brokers-dealers to sell our common stock and may affect the ability of investors to sell their shares, until our common stock is no longer a penny stock.
Further, the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” If our Class A common stock fails to be listed on any national securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq, such securities would not qualify as covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities, because states are not preempted from regulating the sale of securities that are not covered securities.
If our existing shareholders sell, or indicate an intent to sell, amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our Class A common stock.
On June 2, 2022, an aggregate of (1) 102,688,447 shares of our Class A common stock (including 2,776,073 shares of our Class A common stock subject to outstanding equity awards), (2) 12,019,830 shares of our Class B common stock, and (3) 6,478,031 shares of our Class C common stock held by our stockholders became available for sale without
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restriction, other than applicable securities laws. In addition, on December 3, 2022, an aggregate of 7,187,500 shares of our Class A common stock held by 200 Park Avenue Partners, LLC, PA 2 Co-Investment LLC, Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC and certain affiliated individuals became available for sale, subject to applicable securities laws. Since the beginning of 2023, John Johnson III and Johnson BF, LLC, who collectively owned 4% of our Class A common stock as of February 28, 2023, sold approximately 14% of their holdings. Additionally, General Atlantic BF L.P., which owned approximately 6% of our Class A common stock as of February 28, 2023, sold all of its holdings during 2023.
Further, pursuant to the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, we grant stock-based awards to our officers, employees, directors, and consultants. Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details on outstanding awards as of December 31, 2023. Any significant discretionary sales by the recipients of equity awards, including sales of shares received upon the settlement of restricted stock units or exercise of options (or sell-to-cover transactions effected to address any associated tax liabilities or exercise prices of such options), or sell-to-cover transactions effected to address any associated tax liabilities in connection with the settlement of significant amounts restricted stock units at one time, would be very dilutive to existing stockholders. Any such sales may also result in trading volatility and reduce the market price of our Class A common stock.
In addition, in the future, we may sell additional shares of Class A common stock, including through our at-the-market-offering described in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline. We may also issue preferred shares or other equity ranking senior to our Class A common stock. Any such preferred shares will have, and those other securities will generally have, priority upon liquidation. Such securities also may be governed by an instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Class A common stock. Because our decision to issue equity in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital-raising efforts. As a result, future capital-raising efforts may reduce the market price of our Class A common stock and be dilutive to existing shareholders.
Our certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings, and the federal district courts as the sole and exclusive forum for other types of actions and proceedings, in each case, that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain what such stockholders believe to be a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.
Our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us; (ii) action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of ours to us or our stockholders or any claim for aiding and abetting such alleged breach; (iii) action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any current or former director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of ours arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation or restated bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; (iv) action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation or restated bylaws; or (v) action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any current or former director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of ours governed by the internal affairs doctrine, will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have jurisdiction thereof, and state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the U.S. will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any action or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring an interest in any shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation. These choice-of-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that he, she or it believes to be favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. We note that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the SEC.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company isSecurities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all claims brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

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Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation invalid or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and our board of directors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and itwe are taking, and may take, advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firmauditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in itsour periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholderstockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company until December 31, 2026, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growtha company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company hasWe have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company,we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our consolidated financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq rules and, as a result, qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
We are considered a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq. Controlled companies are exempt from certain Nasdaq corporate governance rules including the requirements that (i) a majority of the board of directors consist of “independent” directors under the listing standards of Nasdaq, (ii) director nominees be selected or recommended to the board of directors by independent directors, and (iii) we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Although we are eligible to use some or all these exemptions, we are not currently availing ourselves of any of these exemptions. However, if we are to use some or all of these exemptions in the future, our stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
Our business is subject to complex and evolving U.S. and foreign laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, temporary or permanent restraining orders and injunctions, increased cost of operations or declines in traffic growth and engagement with our brands and content, or otherwise harm our business.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the U.S. and abroad that involve matters central to our business, including but not limited to contracts, securities, privacy, rights of publicity, data protection, content regulation, advertising
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and marketing, intellectual property (copyright, trademark and patent), libel and defamation, labor and employment, bribery and corruption, economic and trade sanctions, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, taxation, and regulation of controlled substances. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to constant legislative or administrative review and modification. Additionally, many of these laws and regulations are still being tested in courts and could be interpreted or applied in ways that could harm our business, particularly in the rapidly evolving industry in which we operate. The introduction of new products or services may subject us to additional laws and regulations. In addition, foreign data protection, privacy, libel and defamation, consumer protection, content regulation, and other laws and regulations are often more restrictive than those in the U.S. A number of proposals are pending before federal, state, and foreign legislative and regulatory bodies that could significantly affect our business.
The U.S. government, including the FTC and the Department of Commerce, has announced in past years that it is reviewing the need for greater regulation for the processing of information concerning user behavior on the Internet, including regulation aimed at restricting certain online tracking and targeted advertising practices. There have been a number of legislative proposals in the U.S., at both the federal and state level, that would impose new obligations in areas such as privacy, consent and data protection. There have also been various congressional and executive efforts to eliminate or modify Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, enacted as part of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. President Biden and many members of Congress from both parties support reform or repeal of Section 230, so the possibility of congressional action remains. If Congress revises or repeals Section 230 or the Federal Communication Commission adopts new rules, we may no longer be afforded the same level of protection offered by current Section 230. Additionally, recent amendments to U.S. patent laws may affect the ability of companies, including us, to defend against claims of patent infringement.
We currently seek to collect only limited personal data from those who use our website and applications. We may experience additional pressure to expand our collection of personal data in order to comply with new and additional regulatory demands or we may independently decide to do so. Having additional personal data may subject us to additional regulation. Further, it is difficult to predict how existing laws and regulations will be applied to our business and the new laws and regulations to which we may become subject, and it is possible that they may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices. These existing and proposed laws and regulations can be costly to comply with and can delay or impede the development of new content, products and services, result in negative publicity, significantly increase our operating costs, require significant time and attention of management and technical personnel, and subject us to inquiries or investigations, claims or other remedies, including fines or demands that we modify or cease existing business practices.
Additionally, our operations in non-U.S. jurisdictions are in many cases subject to the laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate rather than U.S. law. Laws in some jurisdictions differ in significant respects from those in the U.S. These differences can affect our ability to react to changes in our business, and our rights or ability to enforce rights may be different than would be expected under U.S. law. Moreover, enforcement of laws in some overseas jurisdictions can be inconsistent and unpredictable, which can affect both our ability to enforce our rights and to undertake activities that we believe are beneficial to our business. In addition, the business and political climate in some jurisdictions may encourage corruption, which could reduce our ability to compete successfully in those jurisdictions while remaining in compliance with local laws or U.S. anti-corruption laws applicable to our businesses. As a result, our ability to generate revenue and our expenses in non-U.S. jurisdictions may differ from what would be expected if U.S. law governed these operations.
Legacy BuzzFeed and Complex Networks derived less than 0.2% of their combined revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, and no revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022, from advertisements relating to cannabis, which may be considered a controlled substance in certain jurisdictions, or cannabis-related products. Controlled substances are subject to state, federal, and foreign laws and regulations regarding their manufacture, use, sale, importation, exportation, and distribution. Among other things, certain controlled substances, including marijuana, are regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (the “CSA”) and implementing regulations of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (the “DEA”). The cannabis-related advertisements on both Legacy BuzzFeed’s and Complex Networks’ platforms were in compliance with state and local laws. However, certain varieties of cannabis continue to be controlled substances under the CSA and Legacy BuzzFeed and Complex Networks may not have been in compliance with federal law with respect to such advertisements. Our current advertising practices across all platforms do not permit advertisements in the U.S. relating to federally prohibited cannabis-related activities (this does not include advertisements relating to hemp derived products, including Cannabidiol (CBD), which are permitted under federal law) on our platforms. However, if the historical activities of Legacy BuzzFeed and Complex Networks were to become the subject of enforcement actions and sanctions from the DEA or otherwise arising under federal law, such actions and sanctions may have a negative effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or reputation.
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Further, new laws and regulations, changes in existing laws and regulations or the interpretation of them, our introduction of new content, features, and services, or an extension of our business into new areas, could increase our future compliance costs, make our content, features, and services less attractive to our traffic or advertisers, or cause us to change or limit our business practices. We may incur substantial expenses to comply with laws and regulations or defend against a claim that we have not complied with them. Further, any failure on our part to comply with any relevant laws or regulations may subject us to significant civil or criminal liabilities, penalties, and negative publicity.
From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings, regulatory disputes, and governmental investigations that could cause us to incur significant expenses, divert our management’s attention, and materially harm our business, financial condition, and operating results.
From time to time, we may be subject to claims, lawsuits (including class actions), government investigations, arbitrations and other proceedings involving competition and antitrust, advertising and marketing, intellectual property (including copyright, trademark and patent), privacy, defamation, libel and slander, consumer protection, securities, tax, labor and employment, bribery and corruption, economic and trade sanctions, commercial disputes, and other matters that could adversely affect our business operations and financial condition. The foregoing list is non-exhaustive. We have faced and will continue to face claims relating to our content that is published or made available through our websites and applications, or through third-party platforms or services. In particular, the nature of our business exposes us to claims related to defamation, intellectual property rights (including copyright, trademark and patent), rights of publicity and privacy and FTC regulation. The outcome of any legal proceeding, regardless of its merits, is inherently uncertain. If we do not prevail in litigation, we could incur substantial liabilities, some or all of which may not be covered by our insurance. We may also determine in certain instances that a settlement may be a more cost-effective and efficient resolution for a dispute. Further, pending or future legal proceedings could result in a diversion of our management’s attention and resources and reputational harm, and we may be required to incur significant expenses defending against these claims or pursuing claims against third parties to protect our rights.
Where risk of loss is probable and we can make a reasonable estimate of the liability relating to pending litigation, we record a related liability. As additional information becomes available, we assess the potential liability and revise estimates as appropriate. However, because of uncertainties relating to litigation, the amount of our estimates could be wrong as determining reserves for pending legal proceedings is a complex, fact-intensive process that is subject to judgment calls. The results of legal and regulatory proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. There can be no assurance that our expectations will prove correct, and even if these matters are resolved in our favor or without significant cash settlements, these matters, and the time and resources necessary to litigate or resolve them, could harm our business. If we incur costs or liability as a result of these events occurring, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. Liability may also impact our insurance premiums as well as our ability to obtain or maintain insurance coverage. Further, any adverse determination related to legal proceedings or a settlement agreement could require us to change our technology or our business practices in costly ways, prevent us from offering certain products or services, require us to pay monetary damages, fines, or penalties, or require us to enter into royalty or licensing arrangements, and could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows, harm our reputation, or otherwise negatively impact our business.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect, or challenges to, them could reduce the value of our content, services, and brand.
Our trademarks, logos, trade secrets, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights are important assets for us. We rely on, and expect to continue to rely on, a combination of work for hire, consulting, assignment, license and confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, and third parties with whom we have relationships, as well as trademark, trade dress, domain name, copyright, trade secret, and patent laws, to protect our brand and other intellectual property rights. However, these agreements may be breached which could impair or destroy the value of this intellectual property to us. Moreover, various other events outside of our control pose a threat to our intellectual property rights. For example, we may fail to obtain effective intellectual property protection, or effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which our content and brands are utilized in commerce. Also, the efforts that we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights may not be sufficient or effective, and any of our intellectual property rights may be challenged, which could result in them being narrowed in scope or declared invalid or unenforceable. There can be no assurance our intellectual property rights will be sufficient to protect against others offering products or content that are substantially similar to ours and compete with our business.
We are pursuing registration of trademarks and domain names in the U.S. and in certain jurisdictions outside of the U.S. Effective protection of trademarks and domain names is expensive and difficult to maintain, both in terms of
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application and registration costs as well as the costs of defending, maintaining and enforcing those rights. We may be required to protect our rights in an increasing number of countries, a process that is expensive and may not be successful.
We may be unable to obtain patent or trademark protection for our technologies and brands, and our existing trademarks, and any patents or trademarks that may be issued in the future, may not provide us with competitive advantages or distinguish our products and content from those of our competitors. In addition, any patents and trademarks may be contested, circumvented, or found unenforceable or invalid, and we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing, diluting or otherwise violating them.
Significant impairments of our intellectual property rights, and limitations on our ability to assert our intellectual property rights against others, could harm our business and our ability to compete.
We may become party to intellectual property rights claims that are expensive and time consuming to defend, and, if resolved adversely, could have a significant impact on our business, financial condition or operating results.
From time to time, we receive claims from third parties that allege that we have infringed upon their intellectual property rights. Further, we may introduce new products and services (such as those related to AI), including in areas where we currently do not operate, which could increase our exposure to patent and other intellectual property claims from third parties, including, but not limited to, competitors and non-practicing entities. In addition, some of our agreements with advertisers, platform partners, data partners, social media platforms, and licensees require us to indemnify them for certain intellectual property claims, which could require us to incur considerable costs or pay significant damages in the event of an adverse ruling. Advertisers and platform partners may also discontinue use of our products and services as a result of injunctions or otherwise, which could result in loss of revenue and adversely impact our business.
Failure to comply with laws and regulations with respect to contracts, securities, privacy, data protection, content regulation, intellectual property, consumer protection, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, messaging, rights of publicity, libel and defamation, health and safety, employment and labor, bribery and corruption, economic and trade sanctions, product liability, accessibility, competition, and taxationcould adversely affect our business.
Our business is subject to various laws and regulations of local and foreign jurisdictions with respect to privacy and the collection and processing of personal data and information, as well as laws and regulations with respect to consumer marketing practices.
Various federal and state laws and regulations, as well as the laws of foreign jurisdictions, govern the processing (including the collection, use, retention and sharing) and security of the data we receive from and about individuals. Failure to protect confidential data, provide individuals with adequate notice of our privacy policies or obtain required consent, for example, could subject us to liabilities imposed by these jurisdictions. Existing privacy-related laws and regulations are evolving and subject to potentially differing interpretations, and various federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies, as well as foreign legislative and regulatory bodies, may expand current or enact new laws regarding privacy and data protection. We are also subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes requirements with respect to website accessibility. Additionally, we are subject to the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Video Privacy Protection Act, each of which may place restrictions on how we operate in a manner that adversely affects our business.
Existing and newly adopted laws and regulations with respect to privacy and the collection and processing of personal data and information, or with respect to consumer marketing practices, or new interpretations of such existing laws and regulations, have imposed and may continue to impose obligations that may affect our business, require us to incur increased compliance costs and cause us to further adjust our advertising or marketing practices. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us or the third parties upon which we rely to comply with the laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection, or consumer marketing practices that govern our business operations, as well as any failure, or perceived failure, by us or the third parties upon which we rely to comply with our own posted policies relating to such matters, could result in claims against us by governmental entities or others, negative publicity and a loss of confidence in us by our traffic and advertisers. Any of these potential consequences could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our business is also subject to various laws and regulations of local and foreign jurisdictions with respect to contracts, securities, content regulation, intellectual property, consumer protection, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, messaging, rights of publicity, libel and defamation, health and safety, employment and labor, bribery and corruption, economic and trade sanctions, product liability, accessibility, competition, and taxation. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us or the
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third parties upon which we rely to comply with the laws and regulations relating to any of these matters, as well as any failure, or perceived failure, by us or the third parties upon which we rely to comply with our own posted policies relating to such matters, could result in claims against us by governmental entities or others, negative publicity and a loss of confidence in us by our traffic and advertisers. Any of these potential consequences could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We are subject to changing laws and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
We are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, but not limited to, the SEC, which are charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. For example, the SEC has recently adopted new rules with respect to cybersecurity disclosure, which we are in the process of implementing. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention.
Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may require substantial financial and management resources.
As a publicly-traded company, we are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires our management to annually report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This annual certification and the maintenance of the Sarbanes-Oxley compliance program requires ongoing and significant effort from key stakeholders across our business operations. In addition, we currently disclose material weaknesses in our control environment, which require increased attention from our management and financial investment to remediate. While we are currently considered an emerging growth company, which provides certain exemptions from Sarbanes-Oxley provisions, we will be required to comply with incremental regulatory requirements upon losing our emerging growth company status. This includes attestation over the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting by our independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, our management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately meet the regulatory compliance and reporting requirements that are applicable to us. If we are not able to remediate our material weaknesses and maintain an effective control environment, including any additional requirements once we are no longer an emerging growth company, we may be subjected to adverse regulatory consequences that could harm investor confidence and the market price of our securities.
Some of our employees are unionized, and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if labor agreements were to further restrict our ability to maximize the efficiency of our operations.
As of December 31, 2023, approximately 10.5% of our employees were unionized, with certain employees associated with BuzzFeed Canada, Inc. in Canada belonging to the Canadian Media Guild, and certain employees associated with HuffPost in the U.S. belonging to the Writers Guild of America, East. As a result, we are required to negotiate the wage, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment with these employees collectively. Our results could be adversely affected if future labor negotiations or contracts were to further restrict our ability to maximize the efficiency of our operations, or if a larger percentage of our workforce were to be unionized. If we are unable to negotiate labor contracts on reasonable terms, or if we were to experience labor unrest or other business interruptions in connection with labor negotiations or otherwise, our ability to produce and deliver our products could be impaired. In addition, our ability to make adjustments to control compensation and benefits costs, change our strategy or otherwise adapt to changing business needs may be limited by the terms and duration of our collective bargaining agreements.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Risk Management and Strategy and Governance
We are committed to protecting the security and integrity of our systems, networks, databases and applications and, as a result, have implemented processes designed to prevent, assess, identify, and manage material risks associated with cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity and risks related to our IT are an important focus of our board of directors’ risk oversight. Our board of directors, with assistance from its audit committee, oversees our cybersecurity risk assessment and response program. The audit committee receives reports at least quarterly from executive management, including our Vice President of IT, on the identification and status of cybersecurity incidents, resolution, recovery and post incident management.
Managing Material Risks and Integrated Overall Risk Management
We have implemented a risk-based approach to identify and assess the cybersecurity threats that could affect our business and information systems. Our cybersecurity risk assessment process evaluates our maturity across key areas of cybersecurity, and incorporates industry standard framework considerations, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The cybersecurity management program includes evaluation of our technical, administrative, and end-point security, including encryption, firewalls, security scans and anti-virus systems and logical security controls. We continue to promote a company-wide culture of cybersecurity risk management awareness and cybersecurity considerations are integrated in our decision-making processes. We have an experienced IT team led by our Vice President of IT, who has more than 20 years of industry experience. Our Vice President of IT reports directly to the executive team and works closely with our management team, and where necessary, engages external experts to evaluate and address cybersecurity risks in alignment with our business objectives and operational needs. Our Vice President of IT provides regular updates on cybersecurity to the audit committee of our board of directors.
Engagement of Third Parties on Risk Management
We engage with external experts, including cybersecurity consultants, to support our cybersecurity risk assessment and response program. These partnerships enable us to leverage specialized knowledge and insights. Our collaboration with these third parties includes biennial cybersecurity maturity assessments and consultation on security enhancements.
Risks from Cybersecurity Threats
We have not encountered risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, us, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. From time to time, we experience cybersecurity events that require investigation. For additional information regarding whether any risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any cybersecurity incidents that are reasonably likely to materially affect our company, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition, please refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located in New York City, New York, where we occupy facilities totaling approximately 107,500 square feet under a lease that expires in 2025. We use these facilities for administration, finance, legal, human resources, IT, sales and marketing, engineering, technology, production, and development. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we also lease other facilities in New York, California, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico and the U.K. In February 2024, we entered into a space sharing license agreement whereby we licensed approximately 11,500 square feet (not including shared spaces) to the purchaser of certain assets of Complex Networks in connection with the Disposition. Refer to Notes 22 and 23 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on this space sharing agreement.
We are evaluating our needs for office space due to our shift to a more flexible work model and may determine to sublease certain of our offices. We believe that our facilities are adequate to meet our needs for the immediate future and that suitable additional space will be available to accommodate any expansion of our operations if needed in the future.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, disputes in the areas of contracts, securities, privacy, data protection, content regulation, intellectual property, consumer protection, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, messaging, rights of publicity, libel and defamation, health and safety, employment and labor, product liability, accessibility, competition, and taxation. We record a liability when we believe that it is probable that a loss will be incurred by us and the amount of that loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on our current knowledge, we do not believe that there is a reasonable probability that the final adjudication of any such pending or threatened legal proceedings to which we are a party, will, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Although the outcome of litigation and other legal matters is inherently subject to uncertainties, we feel comfortable with the adequacy of our insurance coverage.
Video Privacy Protection Act
On May 16, 2023, a lawsuit titled Hunthausen v. BuzzFeed, Inc. was filed against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, asserting class action claims for alleged violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”) based on the claimed transmission of personally identifying information via the Meta pixel, Google Analytics, and the TikTok pixel, all of which are purportedly connected to posts on the BuzzFeed.com website. The putative class plaintiff was seeking an injunction to stop further alleged wrongful conduct, to recover unspecified compensatory damages and an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief. The matter was settled on January 4, 2024 and is now disposed.
On August 4, 2023, we received 8,927 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that we violated the VPPA by transmitting personally identifying information via the Meta pixel, purportedly connected to posts on the BuzzFeed website. Each claimant was seeking to recover damages in the amount of $2,500 (actual dollars) for each alleged violation of the VPPA. We provisionally settled these claims on January 29, 2024.
On August 15, 2023, we received (1) 5,247 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that we violated the VPPA by transmitting personally identifying information via the use of various pixels purportedly in connection with the HuffPost.com website; and (2) 12,176 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that we violated the VPPA by transmitting personal identifying information via the use of various pixels purportedly in connection with the BuzzFeed.com website. Each claimant was seeking to recover damages in the amount of $2,500 (actual dollars) for each alleged violation of the VPPA, as well as punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and equitable relief. We provisionally settled these claims on January 16, 2024.
On October 31, 2023, we received 590 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that we violated the VPPA by transmitting personally identifying information via the use of various pixels purportedly in connection with the BuzzFeed.com website. Each claimant was seeking to recover damages in the amount of $2,500 (actual dollars) for each alleged violation of the VPPA. We provisionally settled these claims on January 29, 2024.
Mass Arbitrations
Two mass arbitrations (the “Arbitrations”) were initiated before the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) on March 15, 2022 against us and certain of our executive officers and directors (together, the “BuzzFeed Defendants”) and Continental Stock Transfer Corporation by 91 individuals previously employed by Legacy BuzzFeed (the “Claimants”). The Claimants alleged that they were harmed when they were allegedly unable to convert their shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock and sell those shares on December 6, 2021, the first day of trading following the Business Combination, and asserted claims for negligence, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of Section 11 of the Securities Act. The Claimants sought to recover unspecified compensatory damages, an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief.
On April 21, 2022, the BuzzFeed Defendants filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking to enjoin the Arbitrations on the grounds that, inter alia, the Claimants’ purported causes of action arise from their rights as our shareholders, are governed by our charter, including its forum selection provision, and are therefore not arbitrable (the “Delaware Action”). The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief. A hearing on the merits of the Delaware Action was held on July 26, 2022. On October 28, 2022, the Court of Chancery granted the Company’s motion to permanently enjoin the Claimants’ arbitration claims.
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On January 17, 2023, the Claimants filed amended statements of claim in the Arbitrations against BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Corporation, the transfer agent for 890 and, later, our transfer agent. The amended statements of claim likewise allege that the Claimants were harmed when they were allegedly unable to convert their shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock and sell those shares on the first day of trading following the Business Combination. The Claimants allege claims for breach of contract and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, misrepresentation, and negligence, and seek to recover unspecified compensatory damages, an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief.
On March 29, 2023, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking to enjoin the Arbitrations on the grounds that, inter alia, the Claimants’ purported causes of action arise from their rights as the Company’s shareholders, are governed by our charter, including its forum selection provision, and are therefore not arbitrable. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. The parties cross-moved for summary judgment.
On November 20, 2023, the Court of Chancery heard oral arguments on our motion for summary judgment and the Claimants’ cross-motion to dismiss the Company’s complaint. The arbitrations are stayed until the Court resolves the motions on the merits. The decision of the Court is pending.
For information regarding other legal proceedings in which we are involved, refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our Class A common stock and public warrants are currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “BZFD” and “BZFDW,” respectively. On March 27, 2024, the closing sale price of our Class A common stock was $0.40 per share and the closing sale price of our public warrants was $0.035 per warrant. Our Class B common stock and our Class C common stock is not listed or traded on any exchange. As of March 27, 2024, there were 247 holders of record of our Class A common stock, 19 holders of record of our Class B common stock, zero holders of record of our Class C common stock and 20 holders of record of our public warrants. Such numbers do not include beneficial owners holding our securities through an account with a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. We expect to retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Any future determination to pay dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, plans for expansion and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is limited by covenants of our existing and outstanding indebtedness and may be limited by covenants of any future indebtedness we incur.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
See Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
There were no issuer purchases of equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
None.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of BuzzFeed and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additionally, our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future.
Company Overview
BuzzFeed is a premier digital media company for the most diverse, most online, and most socially connected generations the world has ever seen. Across entertainment, news, food, pop culture and commerce, our brands drive conversation and inspire what audiences watch, read, and buy now and into the future. With a portfolio of iconic, globally-loved brands that includes BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Tasty, and First We Feast (including Hot Ones), we are the number one destination for audiences amongst our competitive set, in terms of Time Spent, according to Comscore.
BuzzFeed’s mission is to spread truth, joy, and creativity on the Internet. We are committed to making the Internet better: providing trusted, high-quality, brand-safe entertainment and news; making content on the Internet more inclusive, empathetic and creative; and inspiring our audience to live better lives.
BuzzFeed curates the Internet, and acts as an “inspiration engine,” driving both online and real-world action and transactions. Our strong audience signal and powerful content flywheel have enabled us to build category-leading brands, a deep, two-way connection with our audiences, and an engine for high-quality content at massive scale and low cost. As a result, each of our brands has a large, loyal, highly-engaged audience that is very attractive to advertisers, and through our rich first party data offering and contextual marketing solutions, we are able to help both advertisers and creators effectively and efficiently reach their target audiences. In 2023, our audiences consumed more than 300 million hours of content and drove over $500 million in attributable transactions.
Our strength has always been to adapt our business model to the evolution of the digital landscape. Founded by Jonah Peretti in 2006, BuzzFeed started as a lab in New York City’s Chinatown, experimenting with how the Internet could change how content is consumed, distributed, interacted with, and shared. This pioneering work was followed by a period of significant growth, during which BuzzFeed became a household name. Over the last few years, we have focused on revenue diversification and profitability (on an Adjusted EBITDA-basis, a non-GAAP financial measure as discussed below). Our data-driven approach to content creation and our cross-platform distribution network have enabled us to monetize our content by delivering a comprehensive suite of digital advertising products and services and introducing new, complementary revenue streams.
As of December 31, 2023, we determined that the assets of Complex Networks (as defined below), excluding the First We Feast brand, met the criteria for classification as held for sale. Additionally, we concluded the ultimate disposal will represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. As such, the historical financial results of Complex Networks have been reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
The Business Combination
On December 3, 2021, we consummated a business combination (the “Business Combination”) with 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (“890”), certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of 890, and BuzzFeed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy BuzzFeed”). In connection with the Business Combination, we acquired 100% of the membership interests of CM Partners, LLC. CM Partners, LLC, together with Complex Media, Inc., is referred to herein as “Complex Networks.” Following the closing of the Business Combination, 890 was renamed “BuzzFeed, Inc.”
Additionally, pursuant to subscription agreements entered into in connection with the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, we issued, and certain investors purchased, $150.0 million aggregate
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principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination. On March 7, 2024, we repaid approximately $30.9 million to holders of the Notes, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. Refer to Notes 9 and 23 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.

Additionally, the Business Combination satisfied a liquidity condition for 2.7 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and we recognized approximately $16.0 million of incremental stock-based compensation expense as a cumulative catch-up adjustment based on the number of RSUs outstanding and the requisite service completed at December 3, 2021 (“Liquidity 2 RSUs”). There were a further 2.4 million restricted stock units with a liquidity condition that the Business Combination did not satisfy (“Liquidity 1 RSUs”). However, on May 12, 2022, our board of directors waived the liquidity condition associated with the Liquidity 1 RSUs, permitting the RSUs to vest (based on service). We recognized approximately $8.2 million of stock-based compensation expense associated with the Liquidity 1 RSUs in the second quarter of 2022. There were no such one-time expenses in 2023.
Restructuring
On February 21, 2024, we announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 16% reduction in our then-current workforce (after the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks). Refer to Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on this restructuring.
In April 2023, we announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 15% reduction in our then-current workforce. The reduction in workforce plan was part of a broader strategic re-prioritization across the Company in order to improve upon profitability and cash flow. The Company incurred approximately $6.8 million of restructuring costs for the year ended December 31, 2023, comprised mainly of severance and related benefit costs, of which $4.3 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $1.3 million were included in sales and marketing, $0.4 million were included in general and administrative, and $0.8 million were included in research and development.
In December 2022, our board of directors authorized a reduction in workforce plan, which included a reduction of our then-current global employee headcount by approximately 12%. The reduction in workforce plan was intended to reduce the Company’s costs in response to a combination of factors, including: (i) challenging macroeconomic conditions; (ii) completing the integration of Complex Networks and eliminating redundancies where they existed; and (iii) an ongoing audience shift to short-form, vertical video, which was still developing from a monetization standpoint. The Company incurred approximately $5.3 million of restructuring costs related to these actions.
In March 2022, in connection with the acquisition of Complex Networks, the Company approved certain organizational changes to align sales and marketing and general and administrative functions as well as changes in content to better serve audience demands. Additionally, in June 2022, as part of a strategic repositioning of BuzzFeed News, the Company entered into a voluntary buyout proposal covering certain desks which was negotiated as part of collective bargaining between the Company and the BuzzFeed News Union. The Company incurred approximately $4.9 million of restructuring costs related to these actions.
As a result of the 2022 restructuring actions, the Company incurred approximately $10.2 million of aggregate restructuring costs for the year ended December 31, 2022, comprised mainly of severance and related benefit costs. For the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately $5.7 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $1.6 million were included in sales and marketing, $0.9 million were included in general and administrative, and $2.0 million were included in research and development.
In March 2021, the Company announced a restructuring of HuffPost, including employee terminations, in order to efficiently integrate HuffPost, which the Company acquired in February 2021, and establish an efficient cost structure. The Company incurred approximately $3.6 million in severance costs related to the restructuring, of which $3.2 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $0.3 million were included in sales and marketing, and $0.1 million were included in research and development.
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Effects of Current Economic Conditions
Macroeconomic conditions have a direct impact on overall advertising and marketing expenditures in the United States (the “U.S.”). As advertising and marketing budgets are often discretionary in nature, they can be easier to reduce in the short-term as compared to other corporate expenses. Additionally, economic downturns and recessionary fears may also negatively impact our ability to capture advertising dollars. Consequently, we believe advertising and content budgets have been, and may continue to be, affected by macroeconomic factors, such as market uncertainty and elevated interest rates, which has led to reduced spending from advertising and content customers. These macroeconomic factors have adversely impacted our advertising and content revenue in 2023 and we expect these factors will continue to adversely affect our revenue in 2024. In addition, uncertainty surrounding macroeconomic factors in the U.S.and globally characterized by inflationary pressure, elevated interest rates, geopolitical issues or other factors may result in a recession, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Refer to Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Executive Overview
The following table sets forth our operational highlights for the periods presented (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
GAAP
Total revenue$252,677 $342,554 $383,804 
Loss from continuing operations(39,824)$(128,351)$(23,894)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(60,332)$(140,483)$3,870 
Non-GAAP 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$(4,743)$318 $42,009 
Non-Financial 
Time Spent(2)
306,261 314,556 345,844 
—% on owned and operated properties88 %83 %80 %
—% on third-party platforms12 %17 %20 %
_____________________________
(1)See “Reconciliation from Net (loss) income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA” for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).
(2)We define Time Spent as the estimated total number of hours spent by users on our owned and operated U.S. properties, our content on Apple News, and our content on YouTube in the U.S., in each case, as reported by Comscore. Time Spent does not reflect time spent with our content across all platforms, including some on which we generated a portion of our advertising revenue, and excludes time spent with our content on platforms for which we have minimal advertising capabilities that contribute to our advertising revenue, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter. There are inherent challenges in measuring the total actual number of hours spent with our content across all platforms; however, we consider the data reported by Comscore to represent industry-standard estimates of the time actually spent on our largest distribution platforms with our most significant monetization opportunities. We use Time Spent to evaluate the level of engagement of our audience. Trends in Time Spent affect our revenue and financial results by influencing the number of ads we are able to show. However, increases or decreases in Time Spent may not directly correspond to increases or decreases in our revenue. For example, the number of programmatic impressions served by third-party platforms can vary based on the advertising revenue optimization strategies of these platforms and, as a result, an increase or decrease in Time Spent does not necessarily correlate with a corresponding increase or decrease in the number of programmatic impressions served, but Time Spent can be a key indicator for our programmatic advertising revenue when the third-party platforms optimize revenue over programmatic impressions. Our definition of Time Spent is not based on any standardized industry methodology and is not necessarily defined in the same manner, or comparable to, similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Time Spent for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 3%, consistent with broader industry trends, amongst our competitive set, according to Comscore. Effective January 1, 2023, we exclude time spent on Facebook from our measure of Time Spent, as our monetization strategy is increasingly focused on advertising on
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our owned and operated properties, and Facebook now contributes an immaterial amount of advertising revenue. Time Spent on Facebook, as reported by Facebook, was approximately 58 million, 184 million, and 428 million hours for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, which is not included in Time Spent presented in the table above. Additionally, Time Spent presented above excludes time spent on Complex Networks, as Complex Networks is presented as a discontinued operation herein (refer to Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details). Time Spent on Complex Networks, as reported by Comscore, was approximately 76 million, 126 million, and 15 million hours for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Time Spent on Complex Networks, as reported by Comscore, historically included Time Spent on First We Feast, as First We Feast was historically under the Complex Networks’ measurement portfolio of Comscore. At this time, Time Spent on First We Feast cannot be reasonably bifurcated from Time Spent on Complex Networks. As such, in order to have a more comparable measure of Time Spent, we have excluded Time Spent on First We Feast from our measure of Time Spent presented above, and we will exclude Time Spent on First We Feast in the future.
Content Performance Metrics
We use certain metrics to assess the operational and financial performance of our business. Effective January 1, 2023, we have introduced new metrics with respect to our branded content revenue, which represents the majority of our reported content revenue (branded content is further defined within “Components of Results of Operations” below). Specifically, we monitor the performance of our branded content advertisers through retention and average trailing 12-month revenue per branded content advertiser. Net branded content advertiser revenue retention is an indicator of our ability to retain the spend of our existing customers year-over-year, which we view as a reflection of the effectiveness of our services. In addition, we monitor the number of branded content advertisers and the net average branded content advertiser revenue, as defined below, as these metrics provide further details with respect to the majority of our reported content revenue and influence our business planning decisions. Our use of net branded content advertiser revenue retention, branded content advertisers, and net average branded content advertiser revenue have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation. Additionally, the aforementioned metrics do not have any standardized meaning and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Pro forma amounts for acquisitions and dispositions are calculated as if the acquisitions and / or dispositions occurred on the first day of the applicable period.
The following table sets forth certain operating metrics for our branded content revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (on a trailing 12-month basis):
December 31,
20232022
Net branded content advertiser revenue retention(1)
56 %70 %
Branded content advertisers(2)
>60>65
Net average branded content advertiser revenue(3)
$0.8 $1.0 

(1)Net branded content advertiser revenue retention is calculated by dividing the branded content revenue for the trailing 12 month from the close of the current reporting period, from advertisers who were also advertisers at the close of the same period in the prior year (the “base period”), by the branded content revenue for the trailing 12 month from the close of the base period. This analysis only considers branded content advertisers who spent greater than $250,000 (actual dollars) in the trailing 12 months from the close of the base period, and is pro forma for acquisitions and dispositions. This metric also excludes revenues derived from joint ventures and from deals not included in the branded content definition below. In both periods presented, this represents the significant majority of branded content advertiser revenue.
(2)Represents the actual number of branded content advertisers, excluding branded content advertisers that spent less than $250,000 (actual dollars) during the trailing 12 months at the close of the current reporting period, and is pro forma for acquisitions and dispositions. This does not mean an included advertiser spent $250,000 (actual dollars) in any given quarter.
(3)Represents the net branded content revenue (dollars in millions) generated by branded content customers (as defined in footnote (2) above) during the trailing 12 months at the close of the current reporting period divided by the number of
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branded content advertisers during that period, and is pro forma for acquisitions and dispositions. This does not mean an included advertiser spent $250,000 (actual dollars) in any given quarter.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue: The majority of our revenue is generated through the following types of arrangements:
Advertising: Consists of display, programmatic, and video advertising on our owned and operated sites and applications and social media platforms. The majority of our advertising revenue is monetized on a per-impression basis; however, we also generate revenue from advertising products that are not monetized on a per-impression basis (for example, page takeovers that are monetized on a per-day basis). Advertising revenue is recognized in the period that the related impression or non-impression based metric is delivered. Programmatic impressions on third-party platforms, such as YouTube, are controlled by the individual platforms, and the respective advertising revenue optimization strategies of these platforms have an impact on the number of programmatic impressions that these platforms serve. These optimization strategies change from time to time and have varying impacts on the numbers of programmatic impressions served. Additionally, there is a component of our advertising revenue derived from sources where we are unable to obtain impression data. We generate an immaterial portion of our advertising revenue on platforms excluded from our measurement of Time Spent.
Content: Includes revenue generated from creating content, including promotional content, and customer advertising (herein referred to as “branded content”). Additionally, includes revenue from feature films and content licensing. Content revenue is recognized when the content, or the related action (click or view), is delivered.
Commerce and other: Includes affiliate marketplace revenue and licensing of intellectual property. We participate in multiple marketplace arrangements with third parties, whereby we provide affiliate links which redirect the audience to purchase products and/or services from the third parties. When the participant purchases a product and/or service, we receive a commission fee for that sale from the third party. Affiliate marketplace revenue is recognized when a successful sale is made and the commission is earned.
Cost of revenue: Consists primarily of compensation-related expenses and costs incurred for the creation of editorial, promotional, and news content across all platforms, as well as amounts due to third-party websites and platforms to fulfill customers’ advertising campaigns. Web hosting and advertising serving platform costs are also included in cost of revenue.
Sales and marketing: Consists primarily of compensation-related expenses for sales employees. In addition, sales and marketing expenses include advertising costs and market research.
General and administrative: Consists of compensation-related expenses for corporate employees. Also, it consists of expenses for facilities, professional services fees, insurance costs, and other general overhead costs.
Research and development: Consists primarily of compensation-related expenses incurred for the development of, enhancements to, and maintenance of our website, technology platforms, data collection and infrastructure. Research and development expenses that do not meet the criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation and amortization: Represents depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets and capitalized software costs.
Impairment expense: Represents impairment charges on goodwill and certain long-lived assets. Refer to Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Other expense, net: Consists of foreign exchange gains and losses, gains and losses on investments, gains and losses on dispositions of subsidiaries, gains and losses on disposition of assets, and other miscellaneous income and expenses.
Interest expense, net: Consists of interest expense incurred on our borrowings, net of interest income on interest bearing checking accounts.
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities: Reflects the changes in warrant liabilities which is primarily based on the market price of our public warrants listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BZFDW.” Refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
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Change in fair value of derivative liability: In December 2021, we issued a $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes that contain redemption features which we determined were embedded derivatives to be recognized as liabilities and measured at fair value. At the end of each reporting period, changes in the estimated fair value during the period are recorded as a change in the fair value of derivative liability. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we determined the fair value of the derivative liability was immaterial; refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details. On March 7, 2024, we repaid approximately $30.9 million to holders of the Notes, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024.
Income tax provision (benefit): Represents federal, state, and local taxes based on income in multiple domestic and international jurisdictions.
Results of Operations:
The following tables set forth our consolidated statement of operations data for each of the periods presented (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Revenue$252,677 $342,554 $383,804 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization142,366 194,348 199,015 
Sales and marketing38,989 47,293 53,233 
General and administrative78,026 111,437 108,694 
Research and development11,179 27,100 24,663 
Depreciation and amortization21,941 24,263 22,093 
Impairment expense— 66,464 — 
Total costs and expenses292,501 470,905 407,698 
Loss from continuing operations(39,824)(128,351)(23,894)
Other expense, net(2,990)(3,076)(3,974)
Interest expense, net(16,085)(15,591)(2,496)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities(11)4,543 4,740 
Change in fair value of derivative liability180 4,695 26,745 
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes(58,730)(137,780)1,121 
Income tax provision (benefit)1,602 2,703 (2,749)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(60,332)(140,483)3,870 
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(28,990)(60,843)22,006 
Net (loss) income(89,322)(201,326)25,876 
Less: net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest— 164 936 
Less: net (loss) income attributable to the noncontrolling interests(743)(533)228 
Net (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(88,579)$(200,957)$24,712 
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Costs and expenses include stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$870 $3,028 $2,788 
Sales and marketing960 3,026 4,829 
General and administrative3,911 9,251 15,052 
Research and development1
(162)3,864 896 
$5,579 $19,169 $23,565 

(1) The negative stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 for Research and development was primarily due to forfeitures.
The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations data for each of the periods presented as a percentage of revenue(1):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Revenue100 %100 %100 %
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization56 %57 %52 %
Sales and marketing15 %14 %14 %
General and administrative31 %33 %28 %
Research and development%%%
Depreciation and amortization%%%
Impairment expense— %19 %— %
Total costs and expenses115 %138 %106 %
Loss from continuing operations(15)%(38)%(6)%
Other expense, net(1)%(1)%(1)%
Interest expense, net(6)%(5)%(1)%
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities— %%%
Change in fair value of derivative liability— %%%
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes(22)%(42)%— %
Income tax provision (benefit)%%(1)%
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(23)%(43)%%
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(11)%(18)%%
Net (loss) income(34)%(61)%%
Less: net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest— %— %— %
Less: net (loss) income attributable to the noncontrolling interests— %— %— %
Net (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.(34)%(61)%%
_____________________________
(1)Percentages have been rounded for presentation purposes and may differ from non-rounded results.
For a discussion of our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, including a year-to-year comparison between 2022 and 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Comparison of results for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Revenue
Total revenue as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Advertising$115,620 $166,934 (31)%
Content83,642 121,541 (31)%
Commerce and other53,415 54,079 (1)%
Total revenue$252,677 $342,554 (26)%
Advertising revenue decreased by $51.3 million, or 31%, for the year ended December 31, 2023,driven by a $34.7 million decline in advertising revenues derived from products that are not monetized on a per-impression basis. The remaining decline was driven by a $16.6 million, or 13% decline in advertising revenue from products monetized on a per-impression basis, which reflects a 12% decline in the number of programmatic impressions delivered and a 1% decrease in overall pricing. We expect continued advertising demand softness to negatively impact our advertising revenues in 2024.
Content revenue decreased by $37.9 million, or 31%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by a decrease in consumer spending in certain client verticals, particularly those in the consumer packaged goods, financial services, and entertainment industries, partially due to the broader macroeconomic environment which we believe has contributed to decreased advertising budgets. Additionally, a decrease in the number of branded content advertisers contributed to the year-over-year decline, as well as an $8.5 million decline in revenue from feature films, due to the timing of revenue recognition with respect to delivery and release of feature films. We anticipate the year-over-year decrease in the number of branded content advertisers, as well as fewer feature film deliveries, to negatively impact our content revenues in the near-term.
Commerce and other revenue decreased by $0.7 million, or 1%, for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$142,366 $194,348 (27)%
As a percentage of revenue56 %57 %
Cost of revenue decreased by $52.0 million, or 27%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by: a $25.0 million decrease in compensation expense reflecting our previous cost-savings actions; a $23.9 million decrease in variable costs of revenue primarily driven by the decline in revenue year-over-year; and a $2.2 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense.
Sales and marketing:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Sales and marketing$38,989 $47,293 (18)%
As a percentage of revenue15 %14 %
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $8.3 million, or 18%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by: a $3.9 million decrease in compensation and related expenses reflecting our previous cost-savings actions; a $2.1 million
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decrease in stock-based compensation expense; a $1.0 million decrease in research and consulting expenses; and a $0.4 million decrease in professional fees.
General and administrative:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
General and administrative78,026111,437(30)%
As a percentage of revenue31 %33 %
General and administrative expenses decreased by $33.4 million, or 30%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by: a $7.4 million decrease in transaction-related costs, certain litigation costs, and public company readiness costs; a $5.3 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense; a $5.2 million increase in sublease income, largely associated with the sublease of our former corporate headquarters which commenced in the third quarter of 2022; a $4.8 million decrease in professional fees; a $3.9 million decrease in insurance; a $2.7 million decrease in compensation expense reflecting our previous cost-savings actions; and a $1.5 million decrease in consulting expenses.
Research and development:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Research and development11,17927,100(59)%
As a percentage of revenue%%
Research and development expenses decreased by $15.9 million, or 59%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by: a $9.5 million decrease in compensation expense reflecting our previous cost-savings actions; a $4.0 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense; and a $1.3 million decrease in restructuring expenses.
Depreciation and amortization:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Depreciation and amortization21,94124,263(10)%
As a percentage of revenue%%
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $2.3 million, or 10%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily driven by fewer fixed assets than the year-ago period, in part due to disposals resulting from the reduction of our real estate footprint.
Impairment expense:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Impairment expense66,464(100)%
As a percentage of revenue— %19 %
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded aggregate non-cash impairment charges of $66.5 million, $64.3 million of which was related to goodwill impairment and the remaining $2.2 million was related to certain long-lived assets. Specifically, during the fourth quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in share price that pushed our market capitalization below the carrying value of our stockholders’ equity. We concluded the sustained decline in share price was a triggering event for potential impairment and performed a quantitative impairment assessment. Based on the results of the quantitative impairment assessment, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $64.3 million. The remaining $2.2 million impairment charge was a result of the sublease of our former corporate headquarters. Of the non-cash impairment charge, $1.4 million was allocated to right-of-use assets and the remaining $0.8 million was allocated to
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leasehold improvements. There were no such non-cash impairment charges recorded in 2023. Refer to Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Other expense, net:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Other expense, net(2,990)(3,076)(3)%
As a percentage of revenue(1)%(1)%
Other expense, net decreased by $0.1 million, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by a $5.7 million decrease in exchange gain (loss) (primarily unrealized) as the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations stabilized as compared to the year-ago period and a $0.4 million decrease in other expenses. These decreases were partially offset by a $4.8 million change in investment (principally consisting of a $3.5 million loss on investment during the year ended December 31, 2023 and a $1.3 million unrealized gain on investment during the year ended December 31, 2022)and a $1.0 million decrease in other income.
Interest expense, net:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Interest expense, net(16,085)(15,591)%
As a percentage of revenue(6)%(5)%
Interest expense, net increased by $0.5 million, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily driven by increased interest rates year-over-year. We expect interest expense, net to decrease in 2024 due to less debt outstanding as a result the repayments we made in connection with the Disposition.
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Change in fair value of warrant liabilities:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities(11)4,543(100)%
As a percentage of revenue— %%
We recorded a loss related to the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $nil for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a gain of $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Change in fair value of derivative liability:
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Change in fair value of derivative liability1804,695(96)%
As a percentage of revenue— %%
We recorded a gain related to the change in fair value of the derivative liability of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to a gain of $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Income tax provision (benefit):
Year Ended December 31,2022 to 2023
% Change
(In thousands)20232022
Income tax provision1,6022,703(41)%
As a percentage of revenue%%
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.6 million related to federal, state, and foreign taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate of (2.7)% differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily related to: a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis; and an income tax provision for foreign taxes.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $2.7 million related to federal, state, and foreign taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate of (2.0)% differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily related to: a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis; impairment of non-deductible goodwill for which no tax benefit was provided; and an income tax provision for foreign taxes.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company continued to maintain a valuation allowance against its U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets as the Company could not conclude that such assets will be realized on a more-likely-than-not basis. Any decline in the valuation allowance could have a favorable impact on our income tax provision and net income in the period in which such determination is made.

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes:

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net (loss) income from discontinued operations decreased by $31.9 million, or 53%. The decrease was primarily due to the comparison against a $38.0 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022, with no comparable expense in 2023. Additionally, gross margin from discontinued operations worsened from 28.3% in 2022 to 23.4% in 2023, partially offset by improvement in other expenses due to various cost-savings actions.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents a key metric used by management and our board of directors to measure the operational strength and performance of our business, to establish budgets, and to develop operational goals for managing our business. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income from continuing operations, excluding the impact of net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests, income tax provision (benefit), interest expense, net, other expense, net, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, change in fair value of warrant liabilities, change in fair value of derivative liability, restructuring costs, impairment expense, transaction-related costs, certain litigation costs, public company readiness costs, and other non-cash and non-recurring items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by our management. However, there are limitations to the use of Adjusted EBITDA and our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net (loss) income from continuing operations, net (loss) income, or net (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc. that we have reported in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliation from Net (loss) income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA
The following table reconciles consolidated net income (loss) from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202320222021
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(60,332)$(140,483)$3,870 
Income tax provision (benefit)1,602 2,703 (2,749)
Interest expense, net16,085 15,591 2,496 
Other expense, net2,990 3,076 3,974 
Depreciation and amortization21,941 24,263 22,093 
Stock-based compensation5,579 19,169 23,565 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities11 (4,543)(4,740)
Change in fair value of derivative liability(180)(4,695)(26,745)
Restructuring1
6,761 10,199 3,645 
Impairment expense2
— 66,464 — 
Transaction-related costs3
800 5,132 15,295 
Litigation costs4
— 1,920 — 
Public company readiness costs5
— 1,522 1,305 
Adjusted EBITDA$(4,743)$318 $42,009 
_____________________________
(1)Refer to elsewhere above in Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein for a discussion of the distinct restructuring activities during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.We exclude restructuring expenses from our non-GAAP measures because we believe they do not reflect expected future operating expenses, they are not indicative of our core operating performance, and they are not meaningful in comparisons to our past operating performance.
(2)Reflects aggregate non-cash impairment expenses recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022 associated with goodwill impairment of $64.3 million and $2.2 million related to certain long-lived assets of our former corporate headquarters which was fully subleased during the third quarter of 2022. Refer to Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
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(3)Reflects transaction-related costs and other items which are either not representative of our underlying operations or are incremental costs that result from an actual or contemplated transaction and include professional fees, integration expenses, and certain costs related to integrating and converging information technology systems.
(4)Reflects costs related to litigation that are outside the ordinary course of our business. We believe it is useful to exclude such charges because we do not consider such amounts to be part of the ongoing operations of our business and because of the singular nature of the claims underlying the matter.
(5)Reflects one-time initial set-up costs associated with the establishment of our public company structure and processes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from continuing operations. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and investments in money market funds.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements were issued (the “issuance date”), the significance of the following adverse conditions were evaluated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presence of the following risks and uncertainties associated with our financial condition may adversely affect our ability to sustain our operations over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date.
Since our inception, we have generally incurred significant losses and used net cash flows from operations to grow our owned and operated properties and our portfolio of iconic brands. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred a net loss of $89.3 million (and a net loss of $60.3 million from continuing operations) and used net cash flows from operations of $6.1 million (and net cash provided by continuing operations was $0.6 million). Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $35.6 million to fund our operations and an accumulated deficit of $611.8 million.
As described in in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we repaid approximately $30.9 million of the Notes on March 7, 2024, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. As described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require us to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after December 3, 2024, at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) before the maturity date (i.e., December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Moreover, we will be required to repay the Notes, in cash, at their maturity, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. On February 28, 2024, we amended the indenture governing the Notes to provide that, among other things, 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes. In the event some or all of the holders of the Notes exercise their call rights, we currently do not have sufficient cash on hand or projected cash flows to fund the potential call. Our failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing the Notes, including our failure to repurchase the Notes, as required by the indenture, could trigger an event of default under the indenture, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require us to repay the Notes prior to their maturity.
As described in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Class A common stock experienced a significant decline whereby the trading price remained below $1.00 per share for a sustained period during 2023 and has continued to remain below $1.00 as of the issuance date. However, in order to remain in compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, our Class A common stock price must exceed $1.00 per share for a specified minimum period (i.e., at least 10 consecutive business days) (the “Bid Price Requirement”). As a result of the decline in our stock price, we received a notice of noncompliance from Nasdaq on May 31, 2023, notifying us that we had until November 28, 2023 in order to regain compliance. After receiving an extension from Nasdaq, we now have until May 28, 2024 in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s Bid Price Requirement. If we are not able to regain compliance and, as such, our Class A common stock is delisted from Nasdaq, we will be faced with a number of significant material adverse consequences, including limited availability of market quotations for our Class A common stock; limited news and analyst coverage; decreased ability to obtain additional financing or failure to comply with the covenants required by the Notes; limited liquidity for our stockholders due to thin trading; and a potential loss of confidence by investors, employees and other third parties who do business with us. In particular, under the indenture governing the Notes, the failure of our Class A common stock to remain listed would constitute a “fundamental change” which would require us to offer to repurchase the remaining outstanding Notes, for cash, at a price equal to 101% of the principal
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amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. As of the issuance date we do not have available liquidity to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change. Our failure to repurchase the Notes as required by the indenture would constitute an event of default under the indenture.
To address our capital needs, we may explore options to restructure our outstanding debt, and we are working with advisors to optimize our consolidated balance sheet. However, we can provide no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash inflows from operations, or that we will be successful in obtaining such new financing, or in optimizing our consolidated balance sheet in a manner necessary to fund our obligations as they become due over the next twelve months beyond the issuance date. Additionally, we may implement incremental cost savings actions and pursue additional sources of outside capital to supplement our funding obligations as they become due, which includes additional offerings of our Class A common stock under the at-the-market offering (refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details). However, as of the issuance date, no additional sources of outside capital have been secured or were deemed probable of being secured, other than our at-the-market-offering, which is subject to the conditions contained in the At-The-Market Offering agreement dated June 20, 2023 with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. We can provide no assurance we will successfully generate sufficient liquidity to fund our operations for the next 12 months beyond the issuance date, or if necessary, secure additional outside capital (including through our at-the-market-offering) or implement incremental cost savings.
Moreover, on an ongoing basis, we are evaluating strategic changes to our operations, including asset divestitures, restructuring, or the discontinuance of unprofitable lines of business. Any such transaction could be material to our business, financial condition and results of operations. The nature and timing of any such changes depend on a variety of factors, including, as of the applicable time, our available cash, liquidity and operating performance; our commitments and obligations; our capital requirements; limitations imposed under our credit arrangements; and overall market conditions. As of the issuance date, we continue to work with our external advisors to optimize our consolidated balance sheet and evaluate our assets.
These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates that we will be able to realize assets and settle liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
Revolving Credit Facility
On December 30, 2020, we entered into a three-year $50.0 million revolving loan and standby letter of credit facility agreement (i.e., the Revolving Credit Facility). The Revolving Credit Facility, which was terminated on February 21, 2024, as described in further detail below, provided for the issuance of up to $15.5 million of standby letters of credit and aggregate borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were generally limited to 95% of qualifying investment grade accounts receivable and 90% of qualifying non-investment grade accounts receivable, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the lenders. The $15.5 million of standby letters of credit were issued during the three months ended March 31, 2021 in favor of certain of the Company’s landlords. The Revolving Credit Facility was amended and restated in connection with the closing of the Business Combination to, among other things, add the Company and certain other entities as guarantors. The Revolving Credit Facility was further amended and restated on December 15, 2022 to, among other things, extend the maturity date until December 30, 2025, replace the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate, and provide for an early termination fee of between 0.5% and 2% of the maximum facility loan amount. We incurred $0.2 million of debt issuance fees associated with the December 15, 2022 amendment. On May 10, 2023, the parties to the Revolving Credit Facility entered into a joinder agreement adding one of our Canadian subsidiaries as a borrower under the Revolving Credit Facility, granting the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility a lien on that subsidiary’s collateral, and including that subsidiary’s receivables in the calculation of the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility was further amended on each of June 29, 2023 and September 26, 2023 in a second and third amendment, respectively. As a result of these second and third amendments, the Revolving Credit Facility was amended to provide for, among other things: (i) permitted overadvances during the periods from June 29, 2023 through August 31, 2023 and September 26, 2023 through December 31, 2023; (ii) permitted overadvances of up to $7.4 million; (iii) an increase in the applicable margin only during the overadvance periods (ranging from 4.5% to 5% depending on the utilization of the facility, with the range reverting to 3.75% to 4.25% starting January 1, 2024); and (iv) a change in the definition of the term “SOFR Index.” We incurred $0.2 million of debt issuance fees associated with the June 29, 2023 amendment and $0.1 million of debt issuance fees associated with the September 26, 2023 amendment.
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The Revolving Credit Facility included covenants that, among other things, required us to maintain at least $25.0 million of unrestricted cash at all times and limited, under prescribed circumstances, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, hold unpermitted investments, or make material changes to the business. We were in compliance with the financial covenants under such facility as of December 31, 2023.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at the greater of 0.75% and the sum of the rate per annum for the forward-looking term rate for SOFR for a term of one (1) month, plus a margin, which, during the overadvance period ended December 31, 2023, ranged from 4.5% to 5% depending on the utilization of the facility, with the range reverting to 3.75% to 4.25% on January 1, 2024, depending on the level of the Company’s utilization of the facility (the implied interest rate was approximately 10% at December 31, 2023), and subject to a monthly minimum utilization of $15.0 million. The facility also included an unused commitment fee of 0.375%.
The Revolving Credit Facility was secured by a first priority security interest on the Company’s and the other borrowers’ and guarantors’ cash, accounts receivable, books and records, and related assets.
As of December 31, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings of $33.8 million, outstanding letters of credit of $15.5 million, and remaining borrowing capacity of $0.7 million.
On February 21, 2024, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Complex Sale Agreement”) with Commerce Media Holdings, LLC (“Commerce Media”), providing for the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks (i.e., the Disposition). In connection with the Disposition, on February 21, 2024, the Company terminated the Revolving Credit Facility, except for the $15.5 million in letters of credit outstanding, which were cash collateralized in the amount of $17.1 million. Refer to Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on the termination.
Convertible Notes
In June 2021, in connection with the entry into the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, we entered into subscription agreements with certain investors to sell $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, we issued, and those investors purchased, the Notes. The Notes are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock at an initial conversion price of $12.50 and bear interest at a rate of 8.50% per annum, payable semi-annually. The Notes mature on December 3, 2026. As of December 31 2023, the Notes were convertible into approximately 12,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock and, as of March 7, 2024, the Notes were convertible into approximately 9,528,000 shares of our Class A common stock.
We may, at our election, force conversion of the Notes after December 3, 2024 (i.e., after the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), subject to a holder’s prior right to convert and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, if the volume-weighted average trading price of our Class A common stock is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price for more than 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days, which has yet to occur. In the event that a holder of the Notes elects to convert its Notes prior to December 3, 2024, we will be obligated to pay an amount in cash equal to 12 month’s interest declining ratably on a monthly basis to zero month’s interest, in each case, on the aggregate principal amount of Notes so converted. Without limiting a holder’s right to convert the Notes at its option, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes during any period in which we would otherwise be entitled to force conversion of the Notes, but are not permitted to do so solely due to the failure of a trading volume condition specified in the indenture governing the Notes.
Each holder of a Note will have the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require us to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after December 3, 2024 (i.e., the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) before the maturity date (i.e. December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing our Notes could trigger an event of default under the indenture, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require us to repay the Notes prior to their maturity. Moreover, we will be required to repay the Notes, in cash, at their maturity, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of such Notes surrendered or pay cash with respect to such Notes being converted.
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The indenture governing the Notes includes restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur additional debt or liens, make restricted payments or investments, dispose of significant assets, transfer specified intellectual property, or enter into transactions with affiliates.
On February 28, 2024, the indenture governing the Notes was amended to, among other things, provide that 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes. Additionally, we repaid approximately $30.9 million of the Notes on March 7, 2024, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. Refer to Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details.
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities from continuing operations were as follows for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202320222021
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations589 597 (22,043)
Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations(14,723)(17,285)(208,028)
Cash provided by financing activities812 3,176 181,823 
At-The-Market-Offering
On March 21, 2023, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) under which we may, from time to time, sell securities in one or more offerings having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million. The Shelf Registration Statement was declared effective as of April 5, 2023. On June 20, 2023, we entered into an At-The-Market Offering agreement with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC pursuant to which we may, from time to time, sell up to 13,266,011 shares of our Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2023, we sold, in the aggregate, 2,069,538 shares of our Class A common stock, at an average price of $0.52 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $0.9 million after deducting commissions and offering expenses. We used the aggregate net proceeds for general corporate purposes, and we have 11,196,473 remaining shares available under the At-The-Market-Offering agreement.
Operating Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $0.6 million compared to $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was primarily driven by: a $9.7 million improvement in net loss, adjusted for non-cash items; a $16.8 million increase in the change in accounts receivable; a $7.7 million increase in the change in accounts payable; and a $2.3 million increase in the change in prepaid expenses and other current assets and prepaid expenses and other assets. The increases were partially offset by: a $14.1 million decrease in the change in deferred revenue; a $12.4 million decrease in the change in accrued compensation; and a $9.8 million decrease in the change in accrued expenses, other current liabilities, and other liabilities.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $0.6 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The change was primarily driven by: a $7.6 million increase in net (loss) income, adjusted for non-cash items; a $23.2 million decrease in lease liabilities; an $8.0 million decrease in the change in accrued compensation; and a $1.0 million decrease in accrued expenses, other current liabilities, and other liabilities. These were partially offset by: a $36.9 million increase in the change in accounts receivable; a $12.9 million increase in the change in deferred revenue; an $8.0 million increase in the change in accounts payable; and a $4.5 million increase in the change in deferred rent.
Investing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities was $14.7 million, which principally consisted of $13.9 million of capital expenditures on internal-use software and $1.0 million of other capital expenditures, partially offset by $0.2 million in proceeds from the sale of an asset.
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For the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in investing activities was $17.3 million, which principally consisted of $12.4 million of capital expenditures on internal-use software and $5.4 million of other capital expenditures, partially offset by a $0.5 million in proceeds from the sale of an asset.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in investing activities was $208.0 million, which consisted of $189.9 million of cash spent for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, $11.0 million of expenditures on internal-use software and $5.0 million of other capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash provided by financing activities was $0.8 million, which principally consisted of $2.1 million in borrowings from the Revolving Credit Facility and $0.9 million of net proceeds from the sale of common stock pursuant to our at-the-market offering after deducting commissions and fees, partially offset by a $1.8 million repayment on the Revolving Credit Facility and a $0.5 million payment for withholding taxes on the vesting of certain RSUs.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, cash provided by financing activities was $3.2 million, which principally consisted of $5.0 million in borrowings from the Revolving Credit Facility, partially offset by the payment of $1.7 million for withholding taxes on the vesting of certain RSUs.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash provided by financing activities was $181.8 million, which principally consisted of $143.8 million of net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes, $35.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of our common stock related to the equity investment in us by an affiliate of Verizon, $7.7 million of borrowings in excess of repayments from the Revolving Credit Facility, and $7.0 million of proceeds from exercise of stock options, partially offset by $11.7 million of proceeds from the reverse recapitalization, net of costs.
Contractual Obligations
Our principal commitments consist of obligations for repayment of borrowings under the Notes, and obligations for office space under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2029. Refer to Notes 9, 15, and 16 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details regarding our contractual obligations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements and related notes in accordance with GAAP. In doing so, we have to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or operating results would be affected.
We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (1) the estimate or judgment is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (2) the use of different judgments, estimates or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed below.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
We generate advertising revenue from managing a customer’s Internet advertising campaigns to target markets both via our proprietary sites and premium publishers. Our performance obligations typically consist of a promised number of ads delivered or a promised number of actions related to the ads (such as impressions or views). Advertising revenue is recognized in the period that the related views, impressions, or actions by users on advertisements are delivered. We derive a portion of our revenue from sales of advertising programmatically through third-party platforms and intermediaries.
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Given the involvement of multiple parties in these transactions, significant judgment is required in identifying our customer and determining the transaction price. In some cases, we are unable to determine the transaction price paid by the end customer. In these cases, we recognize as revenue the net amount remitted to us by the intermediary.
We generate revenue from creating content, including promotional content, customer advertising, feature films and content licensing. Our performance obligations consist of BuzzFeed-created content for use by our customers or the delivery of a promised number of actions related to the content (such as impressions or views). The revenue is recognized when the content, or the related action, is delivered. Variable consideration, subject to constraint, may be included in the transaction price based on the expected value method when it is deemed probable of being realized based on historical experience and trends. We update our estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
We participate in multiple marketplace arrangements with third parties, whereby we provide affiliate links which redirect the audience to purchase products and/or services from the third parties. When the participant purchases a product and/or service, we receive a commission fee for that sale from the third parties. The revenue is recognized when a successful sale is made and the commission is earned.
Business Combinations
Upon acquisition of a company, we determine if the transaction is a business combination, which is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, once control is obtained of a business, the assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributed to noncontrolling interests, are recorded at fair value. We use our best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. One of the most significant estimates relates to the determination of the fair value of these assets and liabilities. The determination of the fair values is based on estimates and judgments made by our management, including estimates of, among other things, expected future cash flows, discount rates, or expected costs to reproduce an asset. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Measurement period adjustments are reflected at the time identified, up through the conclusion of the measurement period, which is the time at which all information for determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is received, and is not to exceed one year from the acquisition date. We may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and multiple foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision (benefit) and evaluating our income tax positions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be reversed. We evaluate the realizability of deferred tax assets and establish a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
We recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
The Company made a policy election to treat the income tax due on U.S. inclusion of the global intangible low taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions as a period expense when incurred.
Stock Based Compensation
Stock based awards granted are measured based on the grant-date fair value.
The fair value of stock options granted is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Because our common stock was not publicly traded prior to the Business Combination, we have historically estimated the expected volatility of our awards from the historical volatility of selected public companies within similar industries with comparable characteristics to us. We intend to continue to consistently apply this process using the same or similar companies to estimate the expected volatility until sufficient historical information regarding the volatility of the share price of our common stock becomes available. The expected dividend rate is zero based on the fact that we currently have
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no history or expectation of paying cash dividends on our common stock. The expected term represents the period of time the stock options are expected to be outstanding and is based on the “simplified method.” Under the “simplified method,” the expected term of an option is presumed to be the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. We use the “simplified method” due to the lack of sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to otherwise estimate the expected term of the stock options.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below. We test goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if an event occurs or if circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our reporting unit below its carrying value. We have determined we have one reporting unit for the purposes of allocating and testing goodwill.
In conducting our annual goodwill impairment assessment, we first review qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the factors indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative assessment. A quantitative goodwill impairment test, when performed, includes estimating the fair value of a reporting unit using an income approach based on a discounted cash flow analysis and / or a market-based approach. A discounted cash flow analysis requires us to make various judgmental assumptions, including assumptions about the timing and amount of future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. For the 2023 annual impairment test, we performed a quantitative assessment as of October 1, 2023 and concluded the fair value of our single reporting unit was greater than its carrying value. However, during the fourth quarter of 2023, we experienced a further sustained decline in share price whereby our market capitalization was below our carrying value and a there was a more-likely-than-not expectation of selling a portion of our single reporting unit (i.e., the Disposition, as discussed in Notes 22 and 23 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K). As such, we performed a quantitative impairment assessment as of December 31, 2023.
The quantitative impairment assessment was performed as of December 31, 2023, utilizing an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. The results of our quantitative impairment test indicated that no impairment existed as the estimated fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by more than 10%. The determination of fair value under the discounted cash flow method relied on internal projections developed using a number of estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties. These estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, a discount rate and a terminal growth rate for cash flows. The key assumption in the market approach include determining a control premium, which was estimated using historical transactions over three years. Changes in these estimates or assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and the associated goodwill impairment assessment. Potential events and circumstances that could have an adverse impact on our estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, declining revenue, inability to improve profitability, continued increases in costs, and rising interest rates and other macroeconomic factors.
We will continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of the reporting unit, and should facts and circumstances change, a non-cash impairment charge could be recorded in the future. Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review our property and equipment and capitalized software costs for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset group to be tested for possible impairment, we first compare undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques which may include discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
A business is classified as held for sale when management having the authority to approve the action commits to a plan to sell the business, the sale is probable to occur during the next 12 months at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and when certain other criteria are met. A business classified as held for sale is recorded at the lower of
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(i) its carrying amount and (ii) estimated fair value less costs to sell. When the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value less costs to sell, a loss is recognized and updated each reporting period as appropriate.
The results of operations of businesses classified as held for sale are reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. When a business is identified for discontinued operations reporting: (i) results for prior periods are retrospectively reclassified as discontinued operations; (ii) results of operations are reported in a single line, net of tax, in the consolidated statement of operations; and (iii) assets and liabilities are reported as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets in the period in which the business is classified as held for sale.
We concluded the assets of the Complex Networks business, excluding the First We Feast brand, met the criteria for classification as held for sale as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, we concluded the ultimate disposal will represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations. As such, the results of Complex Networks, excluding First We Feast, are presented as discontinued operations herein.
We calculated an estimated loss on classification to held for sale of approximately $9.5 million to reflect the write-down of the carrying value to fair value less costs to sell. The fair value was determined by using market participant assumptions. Costs to sell included incremental, direct costs incurred to transact the sale. Refer to Notes 22 and 23 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election
Section 102 of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”) provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We are an emerging growth company and have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of BuzzFeed may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting standards as of public company effective dates.
In addition, we intend to rely on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Specifically, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, we are not required to, and do not intend to, among other things: (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (iii) comply with the requirement of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on the financial statements; and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation-related items, such as the correlation between executive compensation, and performance and comparisons of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.
We will remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act until the earliest of: (i) the last day of our first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of 890’s initial public offering (i.e., December 31, 2026); (ii) the last date of our fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion; (iii) the date on we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with at least $700.0 million of outstanding securities held by non-affiliates; and (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the previous three years.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We have operations both within the U.S. and internationally, and we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks include primarily foreign currency exchange, interest rate fluctuation, and equity investment risks.
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Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We transact business in various foreign currencies and obtain international revenue, as well as incur costs denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound, Japanese yen, and Canadian dollar. This exposes us to the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates could negatively affect our revenue and results of operations as expressed in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in foreign currency rates adversely affects our revenue growth in terms of the amounts that we report in U.S. dollars after converting our foreign currency results into U.S. dollars. In addition, currency variations can adversely affect margins on sales of our products and services in countries outside of the U.S. Generally, our reported revenues and operating results are adversely affected when the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to other currencies. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Fluctuation Risk
Our exposure to interest rates relates primarily to the variable interest component on the Revolving Credit Facility, as well as interest earned and market value on money market funds included in our cash and cash equivalents. The effect of a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates applicable to our business would not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. In February 2024, we terminated the Revolving Credit Facility; refer to Note 23 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
Equity Investment Risk
We hold an investment in equity securities of a privately-held company without a readily determinable fair value. We elected to account for this investment using the measurement alternative, which is cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment at each reporting date to determine whether there are triggering events for impairment. The qualitative assessment considers factors such as, but not limited to: the investee’s financial performance and business prospects; industry performance; economic environment; and other relevant events and factors affecting the investee. Valuations of our equity investment are complex due to the lack of readily available market data and observable transactions. The carrying value of our investment was $0.8 million and $3.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
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Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of BuzzFeed, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BuzzFeed, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred recurring losses and used net cash flows from operations, and does not have sufficient cash on hand or projected cash flows to repurchase the Company’s convertible notes in the event required by the indenture, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Emphasis of Matter
As discussed in Note 23 to the financial statements, on February 21, 2024, the Company completed the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 15 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases effective January 1, 2022 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


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/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
March 29, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
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BUZZFEED, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$35,637 $55,774 
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,424, and $1,879 as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively)75,692 116,460 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets21,460 26,373 
Current assets of discontinued operations— — 
Total current assets132,789 198,607 
Property and equipment, net11,856 17,774 
Right-of-use assets46,715 66,581 
Capitalized software costs, net22,292 19,259 
Intangible assets, net26,665 31,038 
Goodwill57,562 57,562 
Prepaid expenses and other assets9,508 14,790 
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations104,089 124,361 
Total assets$411,476 $529,972 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable$46,378 $29,329 
Accrued expenses15,515 26,357 
Deferred revenue1,895 8,836 
Accrued compensation12,970 31,052 
Current lease liabilities21,659 23,398 
Current debt124,977 — 
Other current liabilities4,401 3,900 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations— — 
Total current liabilities227,795 122,872 
Noncurrent lease liabilities37,820 59,315 
Debt33,837 152,253 
Derivative liability— 180 
Warrant liabilities406 395 
Other liabilities435 403 
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations  
Total liabilities300,293 335,418 
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Class A Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 700,000 shares authorized; 140,138 and 126,387 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively14 13 
Class B Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000 shares authorized; 5,474 and 6,678 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Class C Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; 0 and 6,478 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively— 
Additional paid-in capital723,081 716,233 
Accumulated deficit(611,768)(523,063)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(2,500)(1,968)
Total BuzzFeed, Inc. stockholders’ equity108,828 191,217 
Noncontrolling interests2,355 3,337 
Total stockholders’ equity111,183 194,554 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$411,476 $529,972 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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BUZZFEED, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Revenue$252,677 $342,554 $383,804 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization142,366 194,348 199,015 
Sales and marketing38,989 47,293 53,233 
General and administrative78,026 111,437 108,694 
Research and development11,179 27,100 24,663 
Depreciation and amortization21,941 24,263 22,093 
Impairment expense— 66,464 — 
Total costs and expenses292,501 470,905 407,698 
Loss from continuing operations(39,824)(128,351)(23,894)
Other expense, net(2,990)(3,076)(3,974)
Interest expense, net(16,085)(15,591)(2,496)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities(11)4,543 4,740 
Change in fair value of derivative liability180 4,695 26,745 
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes(58,730)(137,780)1,121 
Income tax provision (benefit)1,602 2,703 (2,749)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(60,332)(140,483)3,870 
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(28,990)(60,843)22,006 
Net (loss) income(89,322)(201,326)25,876 
Less: net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest— 164 936 
Less: net (loss) income attributable to the noncontrolling interests(743)(533)228 
Net (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(88,579)$(200,957)$24,712 
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to holders of Class A, Class B and Class C common stock:
Basic$(59,589)$(140,114)$— 
Diluted$(59,589)$(140,114)$(716)
Net loss from continuing operations per Class A, Class B and Class C common share:
Basic$(0.42)$(1.01)$— 
Diluted$(0.42)$(1.01)$(0.03)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic143,062138,14827,048
Diluted143,062138,14828,001


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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BUZZFEED, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(In thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Net (loss) income$(89,322)$(201,326)$25,876 
Other comprehensive (loss) income   
Foreign currency translation adjustment(771)633 126 
Other comprehensive (loss) income(771)633 126 
Comprehensive (loss) income(90,093)(200,693)26,002 
Comprehensive income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest— 164 936 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests(743)(533)228 
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests(239)(632)— 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(89,111)$(199,692)$24,838 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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BUZZFEED, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands)
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Stockholders’ of BuzzFeed, Inc.
Class A Common StockClass B Common StockClass C Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total
BuzzFeed, Inc.
Stockholders'
Equity
(Deficit)
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
(Deficit)
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at January 1, 20211,540$— 10,439$$— $36,373 $(346,818)$(3,359)$(313,803)$— $(313,803)
Net income— — — — 24,712 — 24,712 228 24,940 
Issuance of common stock— — 3,83934,999 — — 35,000 — 35,000 
HuffPost Acquisition— — 2,639— 24,064 — — 24,064 2,122 26,186 
Stock-based compensation— — — 23,565 — — 23,565 — 23,565 
Issuance of common stock in connection with share-based plans1,921— 476— — 6,975 — — 6,975 — 6,975 
Merger of BuzzFeed Japan and HuffPost Japan— — — — — — — (510)(510)
Disposition of subsidiaries— — — — — — — 204 204 
Conversion of shares9,693(9,693)(1)— — — — — — — 
Reverse recapitalization, net of transaction costs93,02111,175— 473,694 — — 473,704 — 473,704 
Shares issued for Complex Networks Acquisition10,000— — 96,199 — — 96,200 — 96,200 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — 126 126 — 126 
Balance at December 31, 2021116,175$11 12,397$6,478$$695,869 $(322,106)$(3,233)$370,543 $2,044 $372,587 
Net loss— — — — (200,957)— (200,957)(533)(201,490)
Stock-based compensation— — — 21,605 — — 21,605 — 21,605 
Issuance of common stock in connection with share-based plans4,965— — 457 — — 459 — 459 
Shares withheld for employee taxes(472)— — — (1,698)— — (1,698)— (1,698)
Other comprehensive loss— — — — — 1,265 1,265 (632)633 
Reclassification of noncontrolling interest (see Note 10)— — — — — — — 2,458 2,458 
Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock5,719— (5,719)— — — — — — — — 
Balance at December 31, 2022126,387$13 6,678$6,478$$716,233 $(523,063)$(1,968)$191,217 $3,337 $194,554 
Cumulative effect of accounting change (see Note 2)(126)(126)(126)
Net loss(88,579)(88,579)(743)(89,322)
Stock-based compensation6,3236,323 6,323 
Issuance of common stock in connection with share-based plans4,6832929 29 
Shares withheld for employee taxes(684)(451)(451)(451)
Issuance of common stock in connection with at-the-market offering, net of issuance costs2,070947947 947 
Other comprehensive loss(532)(532)(239)(771)
Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock1,204(1,204)— — 
Conversion of Class C common stock to Class A common stock6,478 — — (6,478)(1)— — — — — — 
Balance at December 31, 2023140,138$14 5,474$$— $723,081 $(611,768)$(2,500)$108,828 $2,355 $111,183 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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BUZZFEED, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income$(89,322)$(201,326)$25,876 
Less: net loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax28,990 60,843 (22,006)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(60,332)(140,483)3,870 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization21,941 24,263 22,093 
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency(1,088)5,389 1,824 
Stock based compensation5,579 19,169 23,565 
Change in fair value of warrants11 (4,543)(4,740)
Change in fair value of derivative liability(180)(4,695)(26,745)
Issuance costs allocated to derivative liability— — 1,424 
Amortization of debt discount and deferred issuance costs4,945 4,268 259 
Deferred income tax3,236 (1,594)(28,087)
Loss on disposition of subsidiaries— — 1,234 
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets(175)(500)220 
Loss (gain) on investment3,500 (1,260)— 
Provision for doubtful accounts(581)785 (161)
Impairment expense— 66,464 — 
Noncash lease expense20,017 19,870 — 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable40,737 23,941 (12,951)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets and prepaid expenses and other assets4,795 2,540 2,361 
Accounts payable19,258 11,582 3,546 
Deferred rent— — (4,456)
Accrued compensation(18,088)(5,663)2,307 
Accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other liabilities(12,619)(2,841)(1,847)
Lease liabilities(23,421)(23,249)— 
Deferred revenue(6,946)7,154 (5,759)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations589 597 (22,043)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations(6,692)(8,454)22,840 
Net cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities(6,103)(7,857)797 
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired— — (189,885)
Capital expenditures(964)(5,424)(4,983)
Capitalization of internal-use software(13,934)(12,361)(11,039)
Proceeds from sale of asset175 500 — 
Cash of disposed subsidiaries, less proceeds on disposition— — (2,121)
Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations(14,723)(17,285)(208,028)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities from discontinued operations— — — 
Cash used in investing activities(14,723)(17,285)(208,028)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from reverse recapitalization, net of costs— — (11,652)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock— — 35,000 
Payment for shares withheld for employee taxes(451)(1,698)— 
Deferred reverse recapitalization costs— (585)— 
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of issuance costs— — 143,806 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options29 459 6,975 
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock in connection with the at-the-market offering, net of issuance costs902 — — 
Borrowings on Revolving Credit Facility2,128 5,000 9,000 
Payments on Revolving Credit Facility(1,796)— (1,306)
Cash provided by financing activities812 3,176 181,823 
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Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents(123)(1,993)(985)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(20,137)(23,959)(26,393)
Cash, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year55,774 79,733 106,126 
Cash, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year$35,637 $55,774 $79,733 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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BUZZFEED, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
1. Description of the Business
BuzzFeed, Inc. (referred to herein, collectively with its subsidiaries, as “BuzzFeed” or the “Company”) is a premier digital media company for the most diverse, most online, and most socially connected generations the world has ever seen. Across food, news, pop culture and commerce, our brands drive conversation and inspire what audiences watch, read, and buy now — and into the future. The Company’s portfolio of iconic, globally-loved brands includes BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Tasty, and First We Feast (including Hot Ones). BuzzFeed derives its revenue primarily from advertising, content, and commerce and other sold to leading brands. The Company has one reportable segment.
On December 3, 2021, we consummated a business combination (the “Business Combination”) with 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (“890”), certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of 890, and BuzzFeed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy BuzzFeed”). In connection with the Business Combination, we acquired 100% of the membership interests of CM Partners, LLC. CM Partners, LLC, together with Complex Media, Inc., is referred to herein as “Complex Networks.” Following the closing of the Business Combination, 890 was renamed “BuzzFeed, Inc.”
The shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share related to Legacy BuzzFeed redeemable convertible preferred stock (other than Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock) and Legacy BuzzFeed common stock prior to the Business Combination were retroactively recast as shares reflecting the Exchange Ratio of 0.306 established in the Business Combination. Shares of Legacy BuzzFeed Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock were restated based on the exchange ratio into 30,880,000 shares of BuzzFeed Class A common stock established in the Business Combination.
Additionally, pursuant to subscription agreements entered into in connection with the entry into the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, the Company issued, and certain investors purchased, $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination. As a result of the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks, as discussed within Notes 22 and 23 herein (the “Disposition”), the Company repaid approximately $30.9 million of the Notes on March 7, 2024, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024.
Liquidity and Going Concern
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements were issued (the “issuance date”), the significance of the following adverse conditions were evaluated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presence of the following risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s financial condition may adversely affect the Company’s ability to sustain its operations over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date.
Since its inception, the Company has generally incurred significant losses and used net cash flows from operations to grow its owned and operated properties and its portfolio of iconic brands. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred a net loss of $89.3 million (and a net loss of $60.3 million from continuing operations) and used net cash flows from operations of $6.1 million (and net cash provided by continuing operations was $0.6 million). Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $35.6 million to fund its operations and an accumulated deficit of $611.8 million.
As described in Note 22 herein, the Company repaid approximately $30.9 million of the Notes on March 7, 2024, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. As described in Note 9 herein, each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require the Company to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after December 3, 2024, at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) before the maturity date (i.e., December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Moreover, the Company will be required to repay the Notes, in cash, at their maturity, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. On February 28, 2024, the Company amended the
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indenture governing the Notes to provide that, among other things, 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes. In the event some or all of the holders of the Notes exercise their call rights, the Company currently does not have sufficient cash on hand or projected cash flows to fund the potential call. The Company’s failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing the Notes, including the Company’s failure to repurchase the Notes, as required by the indenture, could trigger an event of default under the indenture, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require the Company to repay the Notes prior to their maturity.
As described in Note 16 herein, the Company’s Class A common stock experienced a significant decline whereby the trading price remained below $1.00 per share for a sustained period during 2023 and has continued to remain below $1.00 as of the issuance date. However, in order to remain in compliance with Nasdaq market listing requirements, the Company’s Class A common stock price must exceed $1.00 per share for a specified minimum period (i.e., at least 10 consecutive business days) (the “Bid Price Requirement”). As a result of the decline in its stock price, the Company received a notice of noncompliance from Nasdaq on May 31, 2023, notifying the Company that it had until November 28, 2023 in order to regain compliance. After receiving an extension from Nasdaq, the Company now has until May 28, 2024 in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s Bid Price Requirement. If the Company is not able to regain compliance and, as such, the Company’s Class A common stock is delisted from Nasdaq, the Company will be faced with a number of significant material adverse consequences, including limited availability of market quotations for its Class A common stock; limited news and analyst coverage; decreased ability to obtain additional financing or failure to comply with the covenants required by the Notes; limited liquidity for its stockholders due to thin trading; and a potential loss of confidence by investors, employees and other third parties who do business with the Company. In particular, under the indenture governing the Notes, the failure of the Company’s Class A common stock to remain listed would constitute a “fundamental change” which would require the Company to offer to repurchase the remaining outstanding Notes, for cash, at a repurchase price equal to 101% of par plus accrued and unpaid interest. As of the issuance date, the Company does not have available liquidity to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change. The Company’s failure to repurchase the Notes as required by the indenture would constitute an event of default under the indenture.
To address its capital needs, the Company may explore options to restructure its outstanding debt, and is working with advisors to optimize its consolidated balance sheet. However, the Company can provide no assurance that it will generate sufficient cash inflows from operations, or that it will be successful in obtaining such new financing, or in optimizing its consolidated balance sheet in a manner necessary to fund its obligations as they become due over the next twelve months beyond the issuance date. Additionally, the Company may implement incremental cost savings actions and pursue additional sources of outside capital to supplement its funding obligations as they become due, which includes additional offerings of its Class A common stock under the at-the-market offering (refer to Note 11 herein for additional details). However, as of the issuance date, no additional sources of outside capital have been secured or were deemed probable of being secured, other than the Company’s at-the-market-offering, which is subject to the conditions contained in the At-The-Market Offering agreement dated June 20, 2023 with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. The Company can provide no assurance it will successfully generate sufficient liquidity to fund its operations for the next 12 months beyond the issuance date, or if necessary, secure additional outside capital (including through the Company’s at-the-market-offering) or implement incremental cost savings.
Moreover, on an ongoing basis, the Company is evaluating strategic changes to its operations, including asset divestitures, restructuring, or the discontinuance of unprofitable lines of business. Any such transaction could be material to the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The nature and timing of any such changes depend on a variety of factors, including, as of the applicable time, the Company’s available cash, liquidity and operating performance; its commitments and obligations; its capital requirements; limitations imposed under its credit arrangements; and overall market conditions. As of the issuance date, the Company continues to work with its external advisors to optimize its consolidated balance sheet and evaluate its assets.
These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates that it will be able to realize assets and settle liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Financial Statements and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BuzzFeed, Inc., and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation.
In August 2015, the Company signed a Joint Venture Agreement (the “JVA”) with Yahoo Japan to establish and develop operations in Japan. During the year ended December 31, 2022, Yahoo Japan transferred its interests in BuzzFeed Japan to other third parties. As such, BuzzFeed Japan is a joint venture owned 51% by the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, BuzzFeed UK Limited, and The Huffington Post Holdings LLC and 24.5% by Asahi Shimbun Company, 21.5% by Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation, and 3.0% by ValueCommerce Co. Ltd. BuzzFeed Japan carries out the core BuzzFeed business in the Japanese language for the Japanese market. BuzzFeed Japan is included as a consolidated subsidiary in the consolidated financial statements.
During 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company established several production companies created solely for the purpose of producing a single film each, which are considered VIEs. The Company is the primary beneficiary of each production company, as it has the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities, the obligation to absorb losses, and the right to receive benefits from the entities. As a result, the production companies are included as consolidated subsidiaries in the consolidated financial statements.
Discontinued Operations and Held for Sale
A business is classified as held for sale when management having the authority to approve the action commits to a plan to sell the business, the sale is probable to occur during the next 12 months at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and when certain other criteria are met. A business classified as held for sale is recorded at the lower of (i) its carrying amount and (ii) estimated fair value less costs to sell. When the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value less costs to sell, a loss is recognized and updated each reporting period as appropriate.
The results of operations of businesses classified as held for sale are reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. When a business is identified for discontinued operations reporting: (i) results for prior periods are retrospectively reclassified as discontinued operations; (ii) results of operations are reported in a single line, net of tax, in the consolidated statement of operations; and (iii) assets and liabilities are reported as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets in the period in which the business is classified as held for sale.
The Company concluded the assets of the Complex Networks business, excluding the First We Feast brand, met the criteria for classification for held for sale as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company determined the ultimate disposal will represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. As such, the results of Complex Networks, excluding First We Feast, are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements of operations for all periods presented. Prior periods have been adjusted to conform to the current presentation. The assets of Complex Networks have been reflected as assets of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented. Refer to Note 22 herein for additional details.
Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amountsresults of revenues and expensesoperations during the reporting period. MakingDue to the use of estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date ofinherent in the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Actualreporting process actual results could differ from those estimates.

Key estimates and assumptions relate primarily to revenue recognition, fair values of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, fair value of
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the derivative liability, fair values used for stock-based compensation in periods prior to the Business Combination, useful lives of fixed assets, and capitalized software costs.
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value framework under the applicable authoritative guidance requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels:
Level 1 — inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — inputs are generally unobservable inputs and typically reflect management’s best estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount for which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenue, other current liabilities, and borrowings on our three-year $50.0 million revolving loan and standby letter of credit facility agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) approximate fair value. Money market funds are categorized as Level 1.
The Company’s non-financial assets, which include property and equipment, capitalized software costs, prepaid and other assets, and intangible assets, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur, or if an annual impairment test is required and the Company is required to evaluate the non-financial asset for impairment, a resulting asset impairment would require that the non-financial asset be recorded at its fair value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had no cash equivalents at December 31, 2020.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash accountsand cash equivalents. The Company considers instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and investments in amoney market funds. Deposits held with these financial institution which, at times,institutions may exceed the Federal depositoryamount of insurance coverageprovided on such deposits. The associated risk of $250,000,concentration is mitigated by banking with creditworthy institutions.
The Company classifies all cash the use of which is limited by contractual provisions as restricted cash. In the first quarter of 2021, letters of credit totaling $15.5 million were issued under the Revolving Credit Facility, which reduced the remaining borrowing capacity by the same amount. These letters of credit were used in favor of our landlords, relieving us of the requirement to maintain $15.5 million of cash as collateral. In February 2024, in connection with the termination of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company was required to cash collateralize the letters of credit; refer to Note 23 herein for additional details.
Accounts Receivable and investments heldAllowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company’s accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms, carried at their face value less an allowance for doubtful accounts if required. The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts based on the evaluation of the aging of its accounts receivable and on a customer-by-customer analysis of its high-risk customers. The Company’s reserve contemplates its historical loss rate on receivables, specific customer situations and the economic environments in Trust Account.which the Company operates.
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The change in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Balance as of January 1,$1,879 $1,094 $1,387 
Additions1,407 2,582 703 
Write-offs, net of recoveries(1,862)(1,797)(996)
Balance as of December 31,$1,424 $1,879 $1,094 
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had three customers that each represented 12% of net accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had three customers that represented 16%, 13%, and 10% of net accounts receivable. The Company had two customers that represented 17% and 11% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, two customers that represented 14% and 11% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, and two customers that represented 13% and 12% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Film Costs
Costs incurred to produce films, which include direct production costs, production overhead, acquisition costs and development costs, are capitalized when incurred. Capitalized film costs are amortized based upon the ratio of current period revenues to estimated total gross revenues to be earned from the film. Film costs, which were included in prepaid and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Individual Monetization:
Feature films$1,707$
Total$1,707$
The Company amortized film costs of $3.2 million, $8.4 million, and $7.1 million associated with individually monetized feature films during the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Film cost amortization is included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations.
Film costs are stated at the lower of amortized cost and estimated fair value and are reviewed on a title-by-title basis when an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value of a film is less than its unamortized cost. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021, the Company recorded no impairment charges related to film costs.
Production tax incentives reduced capitalized film costs by $0.7 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company has not experienced lossesreceivables related to its production tax credits of $3.5 million and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which are reflected in prepaid and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on these accountsproperty and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment of each asset category are as follows:
Useful Life (Years)
Furniture and fixtures5
Leasehold improvements7 – 11
Computer equipment4
Video equipment3
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Capitalized Software Costs
The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred for development of websites or software for internal use. The Company capitalizes development costs when preliminary development efforts are successfully completed, management believeshas authorized and committed project funding and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used as intended. Costs include payroll and payroll-related costs of employees directly associated with the development activities. Costs incurred for enhancements that are expected to result in additional features or functionality are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the enhancements, generally one to three years. Costs incurred in the preliminary and post-implementation stages of the Company’s products are expensed as incurred.
Investments
For equity investments in entities that the Company isdoes not exposed toexercise significant risks on such accounts.

Financial Instruments

Theinfluence over, if the fair value of the Company’s assetsinvestment is not readily determinable, the investment is accounted for at cost, and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements,” approximatesadjusted for subsequent observable price changes. If the carrying amounts represented infair value of the balance sheet.

Deferred Offering Costs Associated withinvestment is readily determinable, the Initial Public Offering

investment is accounted for at fair value. The Company complies withreviews equity investments without readily determinable fair values at each period end to determine whether they have been impaired.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the requirementsCompany had an investment in equity securities of a privately-held company without a readily determinable fair value. During the ASC 340-10-S99-1year ended December 31, 2023, the aforementioned private company underwent a recapitalization, and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A – “Expenses of Offering.” Deferred offering costs consist of legal, accounting, and other costs incurred that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering and recorded as an asset on the Balance Sheet. These costs, along with underwriting fees were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number ofreceived approximately 6,000 shares of common stock outstandingin a non-monetary transaction, valued at $nil. Prior to the recapitalization, the carrying value of the investment was $3.6 million, and therefore the difference between the carrying value and the fair value was recorded as loss on investment within other expense, net, within the consolidated statement of operations. Furthermore, during the periods excludingyear ended December 31, 2023, the Company exchanged a receivable for a $0.8 million investment in the new capital structure of the aforementioned private company (receiving approximately 500,000 shares subjectof preferred stock). The total carrying value of the investment, included in prepaid and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, was $0.8 million and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets and Impairment
The Company reviews its property and equipment and capitalized software costs for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reducedbe tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques which may include discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. Refer to Notes 6, 15, and 21 herein for additional details with respect to an impairment charge the Company recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022 regarding certain long-lived assets. There was no impairment of long-lived assets for the effectyears ended December 31, 2023 or 2021.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an aggregateamount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
The Company primarily generates its revenue from advertising services and content, which includes strategic partnerships and promotional content, with the remaining balance from other arrangements, including commerce.
Advertising
The Company generates its advertising revenue from managing a customer’s Internet advertising campaigns to target markets both via BuzzFeed’s proprietary owned and operated sites as well as premium publishers (e.g., Facebook and Google). Our performance obligations typically consist of 937,500 sharesa promised number of Class F Common Stockads delivered or a promised number of actions related to the ads (such as impressions or views). Advertising revenue is recognized in the period that the related views, impressions, or actions by users on advertisements are subjectdelivered. When ads are placed on the Company’s owned and operated or third parties’ properties, the Company generally recognizes revenue on a gross basis because the Company is primarily responsible for the delivery of the promised services, has pricing discretion, and controls the advertising
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inventory prior to forfeiture iftransfer to the over-allotment optioncustomer. In some cases, the Company utilizes third-party intermediaries to facilitate the sale of advertising to the end customer. In these situations, while the Company is primarily responsible for the delivery of the promised services and controls the advertising inventory prior to transfer to the end customer, the Company typically does not exercisedhave insight, and does not expect to have insight, into the gross amount paid by the underwriters. end customer and therefore records as revenue the net amount received from the intermediary.
Content
The underwriter exercisedCompany generates revenue from creating content, including promotional content, customer advertising, feature films and content licensing. The Company’s performance obligations typically consist of Company-created content for use by its over-allotment optioncustomers or the delivery of a promised number of actions related to the content (impressions or views). The revenue is recognized when the content, or the related action, is delivered.
Commerce and other
The Company participates in full on January 14, 2021; thus, the 937,500 shares of Class F Common Stock were no longer subject to forfeiture. At December 31, 2020,multiple marketplace arrangements with third parties such as Amazon, whereby the Company did not have any dilutive securitiesprovides affiliate links which redirect the audience to purchase products and / or services from the third parties. When the participant purchases a product and / or service, the Company receives a commission fee for that sale from the third parties. The revenue is recognized when a successful sale is made and the commission is earned.
Cost of Revenue, Excluding Depreciation and Amortization
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, consists primarily of compensation-related expenses and costs incurred for the publishing of editorial, promotional, and news content across all platforms, as well as amounts due to third party websites and platforms to fulfill customers’ advertising campaigns. Web hosting and advertising serving platform costs are also included in cost of revenue.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation-related expenses for sales employees. In addition, marketing and sales-related expenses include advertising costs and market research.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation-related expenses for corporate employees. Also, it consists of expenses for facilities, professional services fees, insurance costs, and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stockgeneral overhead costs.
Research and then share in the earningsDevelopment
Research and development expenses consist primarily of us. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per sharecompensation-related expenses incurred for the periods presented.

development of, enhancements to, and maintenance of the Company’s website, technology platforms and infrastructure. Research and development expenses that do not meet the criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred. Certain development expenses are capitalized under the provisions of the applicable authoritative guidance, whereby the Company capitalizes costs associated with website and internal-use software systems that have reached the application development stage.

Income Taxes

The Company follows

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.”method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statementsstatement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.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 includedincludes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduceA valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred taxes were deemed immaterial as of December 31, 2020.

FASB ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must beif it is more likely than not tothat some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. realized.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits asfrom uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position.
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Table of Contents
The Company made a policy election to treat the income tax expense. There werewith respect to the global intangible low taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period expense when incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is recognized as an expense in the consolidated financial statements and is measured at the fair value of the award. The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock awards based on grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation cost included in the consolidated statements of operations:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$870 $3,028 $2,788 
Sales and marketing960 3,026 4,829 
General and administrative3,911 9,251 15,052 
Research and development1
(162)3,864 896 
$5,579 $19,169 $23,565 
_________________________________
(1) The negative stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 for research and development was primarily due to forfeitures.
The Company recognized no unrecognizedincome tax benefit in the consolidated statements of operations for stock-based compensation arrangements in 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Comprehensive (loss) income includes certain changes in stockholders’ equity that are excluded from net (loss) income such as cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, comprehensive income attributed to the redeemable noncontrolling interest, comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests, and foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests.
Foreign Currency
The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. The financial statements of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using month-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for revenue, costs and expenses during the year. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses including intercompany transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in exchange gain (loss) within other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
The Company, an emerging growth company (“EGC”), has elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period provided for in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, as amended, for complying with new or revised accounting standards which allows the Company to defer adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326),” which changes the impairment model for most financial assets, including accounts receivable, and replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. The guidance was effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted this standard using a modified retrospective transition approach, which required a cumulative
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effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of January 1, 2023. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, allowing financial statement users to better understand the components of a segment’s profit or loss to assess potential future cash flows for each reportable segment and the entity as a whole. The amendments expand a public entity’s segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), clarifying when an entity may report one or more additional measures to assess segment performance, requiring enhanced interim disclosures, providing new disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and requiring other new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2020.15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted. Although the ASU only requires additional disclosures about the Company’s operating segments, the Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which is intended to enhance the transparency, decision usefulness and effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU require a public entity to disclose a tabular tax rate reconciliation, using both percentages and currency, with specific categories. A public entity is also required to provide a qualitative description of the states and local jurisdictions that make up the majority of the effect of the state and local income tax category and the net amount of income taxes paid, disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and also disaggregated by individual jurisdictions. The amendments also remove certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial. The amendments are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company is currently not awareevaluating the impact of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

The provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the period from September 9, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have an effectadopting this guidance on the Company’sconsolidated financial statements.

Note 3—Initial Public Offering

3. Acquisitions and Dispositions
Complex Networks Acquisition
On January 14,December 3, 2021, in conjunction with the Business Combination, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offeringcompleted the acquisition of 28,750,000 Units, including 3,750,000 Over-Allotment Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds100% of $287.5the members’ interests of Complex Networks (the “Complex Networks Acquisition”).
The following table summarizes the fair value of consideration exchanged as a result of the Complex Networks Acquisition:
Cash consideration(1)
$197,966
Share consideration(2)
96,200
Total consideration$294,166
_____________________________
(1) Includes the cash purchase price of $200.0 million adjusted for certain closing specified liabilities as specified in the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2021, by and incurring offering costsamong Legacy BuzzFeed, CM Partners, LLC, Complex Media, Inc., Verizon CMP Holdings LLC, and HDS II, Inc.
(2) Represents 10,000,000 shares of approximately $6.2 million.

Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock, and one-third of one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share ofour Class A common stock at a price of $11.50$9.62 per share, which is based on the closing stock price of our Class A common stock on the Closing Date.

The following table summarizes the determination of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the Complex Networks Acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company finalized the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Measurement period adjustments were reflected during the year
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ended December 31, 2022, which is the period in which the adjustments occurred. The adjustments resulted from new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.
PreliminaryMeasurement Period AdjustmentsFinal
Cash$2,881 $— $2,881 
Accounts receivable22,581 11 22,592 
Prepaid and other current assets17,827 281 18,108 
Property and equipment332 (15)317 
Intangible assets119,100 — 119,100 
Goodwill189,391 (909)188,482 
Accounts payable(2,661)— (2,661)
Accrued expenses(12,319)(803)(13,122)
Accrued compensation(12,867)349 (12,518)
Deferred revenue(5,855)(48)(5,903)
Deferred tax liabilities(22,776)1,134 (21,642)
Other liabilities(1,468)— (1,468)
Total consideration for Complex Networks$294,166  $294,166 
The table below indicates the estimated fair value of each of the identifiable intangible assets:
Asset Fair ValueWeighted Average
Useful Life (Years)
Trademarks & tradenames97,000 15
Customer relationships17,000 4
Developed technology5,100 3
The fair values of the intangible assets were estimated using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of trademarks and trade names was determined using the relief from royalty method, the fair value of customer relationships was determined using the multi-period excess earnings approach, and the fair value of acquired technology was determined using the replacement cost approach. The excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired resulted in $188.5 million of goodwill, which is primarily attributed to workforce and synergies, and is not deductible for tax purposes.
The Complex Networks Acquisition contributed $18.5 million of revenue and $1.2 million of net income for the year ended December 31, 2021, which included the revenue and net income of First We Feast.
Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma information has been presented as if the Complex Networks Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2020. The information is based on the historical results of operations of Complex Networks, adjusted for:
1.The allocation of purchase price and related adjustments, including adjustments to amortization expense related to the fair value of intangible assets acquired;
2.Impacts of issuance of the Notes to partially fund the acquisition, including interest;
3.The movement and allocation of all acquisition-related costs incurred during the twelve months ended December 3, 2021 to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020;
4.Associated tax-related impacts of adjustments; and
5.Changes to align accounting policies.
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The pro forma results do not necessarily represent what would have occurred if the Complex Networks Acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2020, nor do they represent the results that may occur in the future. The pro forma adjustments were based on available information and upon assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable to reflect the impact of this acquisition on the Company’s historical financial information on a supplemental pro forma basis. Pro forma combined revenue and net loss was $510.7 million and $6.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021.
4. Revenue Recognition
Disaggregated Revenue
The table below presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated based on the nature of its arrangements. Our management uses these categories of revenue to evaluate the performance of its businesses and to assess its financial results and forecasts.
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Advertising$115,620 $166,934 $200,498 
Content83,642 121,541 121,763 
Commerce and other53,415 54,079 61,543 
$252,677 $342,554 $383,804 
The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by geography:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Revenue:
United States$226,011 $303,847 $338,733 
International26,666 38,707 45,071 
Total$252,677 $342,554 $383,804 
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections can result in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and deferred revenues (contract liabilities). The payment terms and conditions within the Company’s contracts vary by the type; the substantial majority require that customers pay for their services on a monthly or quarterly basis, as the services are being provided. When the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of payments made by customers, the Company recognizes either unbilled revenue (its performance precedes the billing date) or deferred revenue (customer payment is received in advance of performance). In addition, we have determined our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component.
The Company’s contract assets are presented in prepaid and other current assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $8.3 million and $12.1 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts relate to revenue recognized during the respective year that is expected to be invoiced and collected in future periods.
The Company’s contract liabilities, which are recorded in deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are expected to be recognized as revenues during the succeeding twelve-month period. Deferred revenue totaled $1.9 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2022 was $7.9 million.
Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations
We have certain licensing contracts with minimum guarantees and terms extending beyond one year. Revenue to be recognized related to the remaining performance obligations was $2.2 million at December 31, 2023 and is generally
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expected to be recognized over the next one to three years. This amount does not include: (i) contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less, such as advertising contracts, (ii) variable consideration in the form of sales-based royalties, and (iii) variable consideration allocated entirely to wholly unperformed performance obligations.
The Company estimates whether it will be subject to variable consideration under the terms of the contract and includes its estimate of variable consideration, subject to constraint, in the transaction price based on the expected value method when it is deemed probable of being realized based on historical experience and trends. The Company updates its estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
5. Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
December 31, 2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds$25,306$$$25,306
Total$25,306$$$25,306
Liabilities:
Derivative liability$$$$
Other non-current liabilities:
Public Warrants402402
Private Placement Warrants44
Total$402$4$$406
December 31, 2022
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds$1,154 — — $1,154 
Total$1,154 — — $1,154 
Liabilities:
Derivative liability— — 180 180 
Other non-current liabilities:  
Public Warrants384 — — 384 
Private Placement Warrants— 11 — 11 
Total$384 $11 $180 $575 
The Company’s investments in money market funds are measured at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
The Company’s warrant liability as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 includes public and private placement warrants that were originally issued by 890, but which were assumed by the Company in connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Public Warrants” and “Private Placement Warrants,” respectively, or together, the “Public and Private Placement Warrants”). The Public and Private Placement Warrants are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The carrying amount is subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date. With each remeasurement, the carrying amount is adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income.
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The Public Warrants are publicly traded under the symbol “BZFDW,” and the fair value of the Public Warrants at a specific date is determined by the closing price of the Public Warrants as of that date. As such, the Public Warrants are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The closing price of the Public Warrants was $0.04 and $0.04 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of December 31, 2022, Level 3 instruments consisted of the Company’s derivative liability related to the Notes. Fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 are sensitive to changes in the assumptions or methodologies used to determine fair value, and such changes could result in a significant increase or decrease in the fair value. To measure the fair value of the derivative liability, the Company compared the calculated value of the Notes with the indicated value of the host instrument, defined as the straight-debt component of the Notes. The difference between the value of the straight-debt host instrument and the fair value of the Notes resulted in the value of the derivative liability. The value of the straight-debt host instrument was estimated based on a binomial lattice model, excluding the conversion option and the make-whole payment upon conversion. As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined the fair value of the derivative liability was immaterial as (i) the closing share price of our Class A common stock was $0.25 as of December 29, 2023, and (ii) each holder of a Note will have the right to require the Company to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder at any time on or after December 3, 2024.
The following table provides quantitative information regarding the significant unobservable inputs used by the Company related to the derivative liability:
December 31,
2022
Term (in years)3.9
Risk-free rate4.11%
Volatility76.6%
The following table represents the activity of the Level 3 instruments:
Derivative
Liability
Balance as of December 31, 20214,875 
Change in fair value of derivative liability(4,695)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$180 
Change in fair value of derivative liability(180)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$— 
There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the year ended December 31, 2023.
6. Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Leasehold improvements$49,007 $50,688 
Furniture and fixtures3,910 6,069 
Computer equipment3,057 5,629 
Video equipment439 792 
56,413 $63,178 
Less: Accumulated depreciation(44,557)(45,404)
$11,856 $17,774 
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Depreciation totaled $6.7 million, $10.2 million, and $8.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and was included in depreciation and amortization expense.
Refer to Note 21 herein for information regarding an impairment charge the Company recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022 with respect to leasehold improvements associated with the lease of the Company's former corporate headquarters that was fully subleased during the third quarter of 2022.
7. Capitalized Software Costs, net
Capitalized software costs, net consisted of the following:
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Website and internal-use software$82,138 $75,871 
Less: Accumulated amortization(59,846)(56,612)
$22,292 $19,259 
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company capitalized $13.9 million, $12.4 million and $11.0 million respectively, included in capitalized software costs and amortized $11.0 million, $9.7 million and $11.1 million, respectively, included in depreciation and amortization expense.
8. Goodwill and Intangibles, net
The following table presents the goodwill activities for the periods presented:
Balance as of December 31, 2021$121,851 
Goodwill Impairment(64,289)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$57,562 
Balance as of December 31, 2023$57,562 
The goodwill attributable to Complex Networks as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was excluded from the table above and is reported within noncurrent assets of discontinued operations within the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, impairment expense attributable to Complex Networks for the year ended December 31, 2022 was excluded from the table above and is reported within net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the consolidated statement of operations.
The following table presents the detail of intangible assets for the periods presented and the weighted average remaining useful lives:
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Useful Lives (in
years)
Gross
Carrying
Value
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Carrying
Value
Gross Carrying
Value
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Carrying Value
Acquired Technology0 years$5,500 $5,271 $229 $5,500 $3,438 $2,062 
Trademarks and Trade Names13 years28,550 4,704 23,846 28,550 2,801 25,749 
Trademarks and Trade NamesIndefinite1,368 — 1,368 1,368 — 1,368 
Customer Relationships2 years2,550 1,328 1,222 2,550 691 1,859 
Total$37,968 $11,303 $26,665 $37,968 $6,930 $31,038 
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Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was$4.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively, included in depreciation and amortization expense.
Estimated future amortization expense as of December 31, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
2024$2,770 
20252,488 
20261,903 
20271,903 
20281,903 
Thereafter14,330 
$25,297 
The intangible assets attributable to Complex Networks as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were excluded from the table above and are reported within noncurrent assets of discontinued operations within the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, amortization expense attributable to Complex Networks for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was excluded from the figures and table above and is reported within net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented.
Goodwill Impairment
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $64.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge driven by a sustained decline in share price that pushed its market capitalization below the carrying value of its stockholders’ equity.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company experienced a further sustained decline in share price whereby its market capitalization was below its carrying value of its stockholders’ equity and a there was a more-likely-than-not expectation of selling a portion of its single reporting unit (i.e., the Disposition, as discussed in Notes 22 and 23 herein). As such, the Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment as of December 31, 2023.
The quantitative impairment assessment was performed as of December 31, 2023, utilizing an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. The analysis required the comparison of the Company’s carrying value with its fair value, with an impairment recorded for any excess of carrying value over the fair value. The discounted cash flow method was used to determine the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit under the income approach. The adjusted market capitalization method was used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit under the market approach. The adjusted market capitalization method was calculated by multiplying the average share price of the Company’s Class A common stock for the average between (i) the singular day of December 29, (ii) seven days prior to the measurement date, and (iii) 30 days prior to the measurement date, by the number of outstanding shares of common stock and adding a control premium that reflects the premium a hypothetical buyer might pay. The control premium was estimated using historical transactions over three years. The results of the quantitative analysis performed indicated the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by more than 10%. As a result, the Company concluded there was no goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2023. The Company believes our procedures for determining fair value are reasonable and consistent with current market conditions as of December 31, 2023.
9. Debt
Revolving Credit Facility
On December 30, 2020, the Company entered into a three-year, $50.0 million, revolving loan and standby letter of credit facility agreement (i.e., the Revolving Credit Facility). The Revolving Credit Facility, which was terminated on February 21, 2024, as described in further detail below, provided for the issuance of up to $15.5 million of standby letters of credit and aggregate borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were generally limited to 95% of qualifying investment grade accounts receivable and 90% of qualifying non-investment grade accounts receivable, subject to adjustment (see Note 6).

A certain qualified institutional buyer (the “Anchor Investor”) purchased 1,000,000 Units inat the Initial Public Offering.discretion of the lenders. The Anchor Investor subscribed for membership interests in$15.5 million of standby letters of credit were issued during the Sponsor representing an indirect beneficial interest in 212,621 Founder Shares and 28,750 Private Placement Units.

The Anchor Investor agreed to vote any shares that it holds (including any Public Shares that it holds)three months ended March 31, 2021 in favor of certain of the initialCompany’s landlords. The Revolving Credit Facility was amended and restated in connection with the closing of the Business Combination to, among other things, add the Company and

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certain other entities as guarantors. The Revolving Credit Facility was further amended and restated on December 15, 2022 to, among other things, extend the maturity date until December 30, 2025, replace the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate, and provide for an early termination fee of between 0.5% and 2% of the maximum facility loan amount. The Company incurred $0.2 million of debt issuance fees associated with the December 15, 2022 amendment. On May 10, 2023, the parties to the Revolving Credit Facility entered into a smallerjoinder agreement adding one of the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries as a borrower under the Revolving Credit Facility, granting the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility a lien on that subsidiary’s collateral, and including that subsidiary’s receivables in the calculation of the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility was further amended on each of June 29, 2023 and September 26, 2023 in a second and third amendment, respectively. As a result of these second and third amendments, the Revolving Credit Facility was amended to provide for, among other things: (i) permitted overadvances during the periods from June 29, 2023 through August 31, 2023 and September 26, 2023 through December 31, 2023; (ii) permitted overadvances of up to $7.4 million; (iii) an increase in the applicable margin only during the overadvance periods (ranging from 4.5% to 5% depending on the utilization of the facility, with the range reverting to 3.75% to 4.25% starting January 1, 2024); and (iv) a change in the definition of the term “SOFR Index.” The Company incurred $0.2 million of debt issuance fees associated with the June 29, 2023 amendment and $0.1 million of debt issuance fees associated with the September 26, 2023 amendment.
The Revolving Credit Facility included covenants that, among other things, required the Company to maintain at least $25.0 million of unrestricted cash at all times and limited, under prescribed circumstances, the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, hold unpermitted investments, or make material changes to the business. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under such facility as of December 31, 2023.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at the greater of 0.75% and the sum of the rate per annum for the forward-looking term rate for SOFR for a term of one (1) month, plus a margin, which, during the overadvance period ended December 31, 2023, ranged from 4.5% to 5% depending on the utilization of the facility, with the range reverting to 3.75% to 4.25% on January 1, 2024, depending on the level of the Company’s utilization of the facility (the implied interest rate was approximately 10% at December 31, 2023 at the SOFR rate and approximately 8% at December 31, 2022 at the LIBOR rate), and subject to a monthly minimum utilization of $15.0 million. The facility also included an unused commitment fee of 0.375%.
The Company had outstanding borrowings of $33.8 million and $33.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $15.5 million under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the total unused borrowing capacity was $0.7 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $0.5 million and $0.4 million of costs in connection with the issuance of debt included in prepaid and other assets in the consolidated balance sheet, respectively.
On February 21, 2024, in connection with the Disposition, the Company terminated the Revolving Credit Facility, except for the $15.5 million in letters of credit outstanding, which were cash collateralized in the amount of $17.1 million. Refer to Note 23 for further details on the termination.
Convertible Notes
In June 2021, in connection with the entry into the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain investors to sell $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company issued, and those investors purchased, the Notes. The Notes are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock at an initial conversion price of $12.50 and bear interest at a rate of 8.50% per annum, payable semi-annually. The Notes mature on December 3, 2026. As of December 31, 2023, the Notes were convertible into approximately 12,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock and, as of March 7, 2024, the Notes were convertible into approximately 9,528,000 shares of our Class A common stock.
The Company may, at its election, force conversion of the Notes after December 3, 2024 (i.e., after the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), subject to a holder’s prior right to convert and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, if the volume-weighted average trading price of our Class A common stock is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price for more than 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days, which has yet to occur. In the event that a holder of the Notes elects to convert its Notes prior to December 3, 2024, the Company will be obligated
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to pay an amount in cash equal to an amount equal to twelve month’s interest declining ratably on a monthly basis to zero month’s interest, in each case, on the aggregate principal amount of Notes so converted. Without limiting a holder’s right to convert the Notes at its option, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes during any period in which the Company would otherwise be entitled to force conversion of the Notes, but is not permitted to do so solely due to the failure of a trading volume condition specified in the indenture governing the Notes.
Each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require the Company to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of affirmative votes from other Public Shareholdersthe Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after December 3, 2024 (i.e., the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) before the maturity date (i.e. December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing our Notes could trigger an event of default under the indenture, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require the Company to repay the Notes prior to their maturity. Moreover, the Company will be required to approverepay the initial Business Combination.Notes, in cash, at their maturity, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased.
The Notes were reclassified from non-current debt to current debt within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 given the Notes are callable within 12-months from the reporting date.
The indenture governing the Notes includes restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or liens, make restricted payments or investments, dispose of significant assets, transfer intellectual property, or enter into transactions with affiliates. On March 7, 2024, the Company repaid approximately $30.9 million of the $150.0 million Notes, leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. Refer to Note 23 herein for details on the repayment, along with an amendment to the indenture done in connection with the Disposition which requires that 95% of the net proceeds of any future asset sales be used to repay the Notes.
In accounting for the Notes, the Company bifurcated a derivative liability representing the conversion option, with a fair value at issuance of $31.6 million. To measure the fair value of the derivative liability, the Company compared the calculated value of the Notes with the indicated value of the host instrument, defined as the straight-debt component of the Notes. The difference between the value of the straight-debt host instrument and the fair value of the Notes resulted in the value of the derivative liability. The value of the straight-debt host instrument was estimated based on a binomial lattice model, excluding the conversion option and the make-whole payment upon conversion. The derivative liability is remeasured at each reporting date with the resulting gain or loss recorded in change in fair value of derivative liability within the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined the fair value of the derivative liability was immaterial as (i) the closing share price of our Class A common stock was $0.25 as of December 29, 2023, and (ii) each holder of a Note has the right to require the Company to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder at any time on or after December 3, 2024 (i.e., the third anniversary of the issuance of the Notes), at a repurchase price equal the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Interest expense on the Notes is recognized at an effective interest rate of 15% and totaled $15.1 million and $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively of which amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs comprised $5.0 million and $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The net carrying amount of the Notes as of December 31, 2023 was:
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Principal outstanding$150,000 $150,000 
Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs(25,023)(31,252)
Net carrying value$124,977 $118,748 
The fair value of the Notes as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $112.8 million. The fair value of the Notes was estimated using Level 3 inputs.
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10. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
The redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the interests in BuzzFeed Japan which were held by Yahoo Japan, which were puttable to the Company in certain conditions, none of which were previously met, including material breach of the JVA by the Company or the bankruptcy or liquidation of the Company. The redeemable noncontrolling interest was presented outside of the permanent equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as the put right was outside of the Company’s control. Pursuant to the terms of the original JVA, Yahoo Japan held a 49% interest in BuzzFeed Japan. On May 1, 2021, The HuffingtonPost Japan, Limited, a consolidated subsidiary, merged into BuzzFeed Japan. As a result of the Private Placement Unitsmerger, Yahoo Japan’s interest in the combined entity was diluted to 24.5%.
On May 17, 2022, Yahoo Japan transferred its interests in BuzzFeed Japan to other third parties. The agreements with the third parties do not contain any put rights. As such, on May 17, 2022, the Company reclassified the former redeemable noncontrolling interest to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest that is presented within permanent equity on the Anchor Investor holds, it may have different interestsCompany’s consolidated balance sheet, with respect to a vote on an initial Business Combination than other Public Stockholders.

The Anchor Investor will not have any rightsno adjustment to the funds heldprior periods presented.

The table below presents the reconciliation of changes in the Trust Account beyond the rights afforded to the Public Stockholders, as described herein.

redeemable noncontrolling interest:

202320222021
Balance as of January 1,$— $2,294 $848 
Merger of BuzzFeed Japan and HuffPost Japan— — 510 
Allocation of net income— 164 936 
Reclassification into permanent equity— (2,458)— 
Balance as of December 31,$— $— $2,294 

Note 4—Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

11. Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
In October 2020, the Sponsor purchased 7,187,500 shares of the Company’s Class F common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (the “Founder Shares”) for an aggregate price of $25,000. The initial stockholders agreed to forfeit up to 937,500 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters, so that the Founder Shares would represent 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the shares comprising the Private Placement Units). The underwriter exercised its over-allotment option in full on January 14, 2021; thus, the 937,500 Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.

The initial stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination, or (y) the date following the completion of the initial Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Private Placement

Simultaneouslyconnection with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the Private Placement of 777,500 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit to the Sponsor, PA 2 Co-Investment LLC, and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC and its affiliate, generating proceeds of approximately $7.8 million.

The Private Placement Units (including the shares comprising the Private Placement Units, the Private Placement Warrants (as defined below) and shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants) are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

Each whole private placement warrant underlying the Private Placement Units (the “Private Placement Warrants”) is exercisable for one whole share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement Units has been added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Units and the underlying securities will expire worthless.

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Private Placement Units until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

Related Party Loans

On October 15, 2020, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan was non-interest bearing and payable upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company borrowed $300,000 under the Note as of December 31, 2020 and repaid the Note in full on January 14, 2021.

In addition, an affiliate of the Sponsor advanced approximately $13,000 to cover for certain expenses on behalf of the Company. The Company reimbursed the advances from the affiliate of the Sponsor in full in February 2021.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor, members of our management team or any of their affiliates or other third parties, may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repayauthorized the Working Capital Loans outissuance of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination or, at the lenders’ discretion, up to $1.5 million of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into units of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender. The units would be identical to the Private Placement Units. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. To date, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.


Administrative Services Agreement

Commencing on the date of the listing of the Units on the Nasdaq Capital Market through the earlier of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company, the Company will pay the Sponsor $20,000 per month for office space, utilities, general office and secretarial support, and administrative and support services.

In addition, the Sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on the Company's behalf such as identifying potential partner businesses and performing due diligence on suitable Business Combinations. The Company's audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by the Company to the Sponsor, executive officers or directors, or the Company's or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial Business Combination will be made using funds held outside the Trust Account.

Note 5—Commitments and Contingencies

Registration Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Units and units that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Units and units that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. These holders are entitled to make up to certain demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registered such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or approximately $5.8 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering.

Business Combination Marketing Agreement

The Company engaged certain underwriters in connection with the Business Combination to assist the Company in holding meetings with the stockholders to discuss the potential Business Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce the Company to potential investors that are interested in purchasing the Company’s securities in connection with the initial Business Combination, assist the Company in obtaining stockholder approval for the Business Combination and assist the Company with its press releases and public filings in connection with the Business Combination. The scope of engagement excludes identifying and/or evaluating possible acquisition candidates. Pursuant to the agreement with the underwriters, the marketing fee payable to the underwriters will be 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, approximately $10.1 million in the aggregate.

Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock — The Company filed its initial Certificate of Incorporation on September 9, 2020, which authorized no shares of preferred stock. The Company filed its A&R Certificate of Incorporation on January 11, 2021, which authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was not authorized to issue shares of preferred stock and therefore there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2020.


Class A Common Stock — The Company filed its initial Certificate of Incorporation on September 9, 2020, which authorized no shares of Class A common stock. The Company filed its A&R Certificate of Incorporation on January 11, 2021, which authorized 500,000,000700,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 20,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B common stock is entitled to fifty votes. Class C common stock is non-voting.

Preferred Stock
In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company authorized the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Our board of directors is authorized, without further stockholder approval, to issue such preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. There were no issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock as of December 31, 2023.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Incentive Plans
On June 25, 2008, the Company adopted the 2008 Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”). On October 30, 2015, the Company adopted the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan superseded the 2008 Plan and increased the number of Legacy BuzzFeed shares available for grant and issuance to 16,895,765. The 2015 Plan allowed for the grant of incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and stock appreciation rights to eligible participants.
On October 16, 2018, the 2015 Plan was amended to increase the maximum number of shares of Legacy BuzzFeed common stock available for issuance by 15,700,000. At the time the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (defined below) became effective, 32,595,765 shares of Legacy BuzzFeed common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, all Legacy BuzzFeed stock options outstanding under the 2015 Plan and 2008
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Plan, whether vested or unvested, were substituted and converted into options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock granted in accordance with the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan based on the exchange ratio of 0.306. All Legacy BuzzFeed outstanding RSUs under the 2015 Plan and 2008 Plan were substituted and converted into RSUs representing the opportunity to be issued shares of our Class A common stock granted in accordance with the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan based on the exchange ratio of 0.306. No additional awards were, or will be, granted under the 2015 Plan following the effectiveness of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
On December 2, 2021, prior to, and effective as of, the closing of the Business Combination, the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Incentive Plan”) was adopted by the 890 board and approved by the 890 stockholders. The 2021 Equity Incentive Plan allows the Company to grant awards of stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights (SARs), RSUs, cash awards, performance awards, and stock bonus awards to officers, employees, directors and consultants. A total of 31,206,550 shares of our Class A common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan as of its effective date. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan will increase automatically on January 1 of each year from 2022 through 2031 by a number of shares equal to 5% of the total number of outstanding shares of all classes of common stock as of the immediately preceding December 31, or a lesser number as may be determined by our board of directors or its compensation committee. As such, an additional 6,977,162 shares of our Class A common stock became issuable from the automatic increase as of January 1, 2023 and 7,280,589 shares of our Class A common stock became issuable as of January 1, 2024.
Stock Options
A summary of the stock option activity under the Company's equity incentive plans is presented below:
Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Balance as of December 31, 20223,976$6.20 3.80$— 
Granted570.61 
Exercised(34)0.86 
Forfeited(182)5.25 
Expired(440)5.90 
Balance as of December 31, 20233,377$6.24 2.36$— 
Expected to vest at December 31, 20233,377$6.24 2.36$— 
Exercisable at December 31, 20233,045$6.44 1.71$— 
Options are generally granted for a term of ten years from the date of grant. Options granted under the plans may be exercised prior to vesting. Stock options generally vest over four years based on service.
The fair value of stock option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based upon the following range of assumptions:
202320222021
Exercise price$0.61 – $0.62$1.17 –$5.31$8.99 – $9.25
Expected dividend yield0%0%0%
Expected volatility93% –97%48% – 93%45% –48%
Expected term (years)6.10– 6.201.00 – 6.205.00 – 6.07
Risk free interest rate4.17% – 4.57%1.86% – 3.95%0.80% – 1.04%
The Company uses the simplified method in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance to estimate the expected term of the option, due to the limited historical experience to date. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is authorizedbased on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Since the Company’s common stock has not been publicly traded for a sufficient time period, the expected volatility is based on expected volatilities of similar companies that have a history of being publicly traded. No dividends have been assumed.
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The Company records stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. For a graded vesting award with both a service and a performance condition, the Company records stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. As of December 31, 2023, the total share-based compensation costs not yet recognized related to issue 500,000,000unvested stock options was $0.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 1.0 years. The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $0.61, $1.64, and $1.23, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $nil, $1.1 million, and $13.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
A summary of RSU activity is presented below:
SharesWeighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 20227,495$3.59 
Granted12,3600.56 
Vested(4,531)3.10 
Forfeited(6,565)1.76 
Outstanding as of December 31, 20238,759$0.94 
As of December 31, 2023, there were approximately $5.5 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs.
The liquidity condition for 2.4 million of the restricted stock units (“Liquidity 1 RSUs”) was satisfied upon the occurrence of a sale transaction (an “Acquisition”) or the completion of an initial public offering. The Business Combination did not result in the satisfaction of this liquidity condition, as it did not meet the definition of an Acquisition per the award agreements. However, on May 12, 2022, the Company’s board of directors waived this liquidity condition, permitting the Liquidity 1 RSUs to vest (based on service). As a result, the Company recognized a cumulative catch-up adjustment of $8.2 million, of which $2.3 million was reflected in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $1.0 million was reflected in sales and marketing, $1.9 million was reflected in general and administrative, and $3.0 million was reflected in research and development, in each case, within the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
At-The-Market-Offering
On March 21, 2023, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) under which it may, from time to time, sell securities in one or more offerings having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million. The Shelf Registration Statement was declared effective as of April 5, 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Offering agreement with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC pursuant to which it may, from time to time, sell up to 13,266,011 shares of our Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2023, the Company sold, in the aggregate, 2,069,538 shares of our Class A common stock, at an average price of $0.52 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $0.9 million after deducting commissions and offering expenses. The Company used the aggregate net proceeds for general corporate purposes, and the Company has 11,196,473 remaining shares available under the At-The-Market-Offering agreement.
Escrowed Shares
In connection with the closing of Business Combination, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Jonah Peretti, Jonah Peretti, LLC, NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBCU”), and PNC Bank National Association, entered into an amended and restated escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”). The Escrow Agreement provided for, among other things, the escrow of 1,200,000 shares of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock (the “Escrowed Shares”) exchangeable by Jonah Peretti, LLC in connection with the Business Combination. Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, in the event the Transfer Date SPAC Share Price (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) was less than $12.50 per share on the Transfer Date (as defined in the Escrow Agreement), Jonah Peretti, LLC, and NBCU were to instruct the escrow agent to transfer (1) to NBCU a number of Escrowed Shares equal to the Make Whole Shares (as defined in the
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Escrow Agreement) and (2) to Mr. Peretti, the remainder of the Escrowed Shares, if any. In accordance with the Escrow Agreement, on December 4, 2023, 1,200,000 shares of our Class B common stock were transferred to NBCU, which were automatically converted to Class A common stock on a one-to one basis upon receipt by NBCU, pursuant to our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
The Escrow Agreement was accounted for as a compensatory stock-based compensation award with a market condition. As there are no future service conditions, the $5.4 million fair value of the award was recognized within general and administrative expense at the time of closing of the Business Combination. The fair value was estimated using a model based on multiple stock price paths developed through the use of a Monte Carlo simulation that incorporates into the valuation the likelihood that the market condition will be satisfied.
12. Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share is computed using the two-class method. Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of any stock options, the vesting of any restricted stock units, the exercise of any warrants (including the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants), the conversion of any convertible debt (including the Notes), and the conversion of any convertible preferred stock, in each case only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive.
Undistributed earnings were allocated to convertible preferred stock and shares of Class A common stock, withClass B common stock, and Class C common stock based on the contractual participation rights of each as if earnings for the year had been distributed. Holders of convertible preferred stock outstanding prior to the Business Combination were entitled to noncumulative annual dividends at a par valuerate of $0.0001 per share. As8% of December 31, 2020, the Company was not authorizedapplicable original issue price when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors and prior to issue sharesand in preference of payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock. Thereafter, dividends would have been distributed among holders of Class A common stock, Class B common stock and therefore there were noconvertible preferred stock on a proportionate basis, based on the number of shares of common stock that would be held by each holder if all shares of convertible preferred stock were converted to Class B common stock at the then-effective conversion rate.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net loss per share amounts were the same for Class A and Class B common stock issued or outstandingbecause the holders of each class are entitled to equal per share dividends. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, net loss per share amounts were the same for Class A, Class B, and Class C common stock because the holders of each class are entitled to equal per share dividends.
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The table below presents the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Numerator:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(60,332)$(140,483)$3,870 
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(28,990)(60,843)22,006 
Less: net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest— 164 936 
Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests(743)(533)228 
Allocation of undistributed earnings to convertible preferred stock— — 24,712 
Net loss attributable to holders of Class A, Class B, and Class C common stock for basic net loss per share$(88,579)$(200,957)$— 
Add: interest on Notes— — 1,317 
Deduct: change in fair value of derivative liability— — (26,745)
Reallocation of undistributed earnings to convertible preferred stock— — 24,712 
Net loss attributable to holders of Class A, Class B, and Class C common stock for diluted net loss per share$(88,579)$(200,957)$(716)
Amounts attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc for net loss per common share, basic:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(59,589)$(140,114)$— 
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(28,990)(60,843)— 
Net (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(88,579)$(200,957)$— 
Amounts attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc for net loss per common share, diluted:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(59,589)$(140,114)$(716)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(28,990)(60,843)— 
Net (loss) income attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(88,579)$(200,957)$(716)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic143,062138,14827,048
Impact of assumed conversion of Notes953
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted143,062138,14828,001
Net loss per common share, basic:
Continuing operations$(0.42)$(1.01)$— 
Discontinued operations$(0.20)$(0.44)$— 
Net loss per common share, basic, attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(0.62)$(1.45)$— 
Net loss per common share, diluted:
Continuing operations$(0.42)$(1.01)$(0.03)
Discontinued operations$(0.20)$(0.44)$— 
Net loss per common share, diluted, attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(0.62)$(1.45)$(0.03)
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The numerator for net loss per basic and diluted common share from continuing operations excludes the impact of (i) net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests and (ii) net (loss) income attributable to the noncontrolling interests for all periods presented.
The table below presents the details of securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:
202320222021
Stock options3,3773,9764,560
Restricted stock units8,7597,4952,779
Warrants9,8769,8769,876
Additionally, the calculation of diluted net loss per share excluded 2.4 million restricted stock units at December 31, 2021, for which the related liquidity condition had not been met.
13. Income Taxes
The domestic and foreign components of (loss) income before provision for income taxes on continuing operations were as follows:
202320222021
Domestic$(63,874)$(131,717)$1,348 
Foreign5,144 (6,063)(227)
Total (loss) income before income taxes$(58,730)$(137,780)$1,121 
The provision (benefit) for income taxes on continuing operations consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Current (benefit) / provision
Federal$— $$(16)
State92 77 126 
Foreign(1,689)2,756 1,666 
Total current (benefit) / provision$(1,597)$2,835 $1,776 
Deferred (benefit) / provision
Federal$$733 $(2,300)
State(4)197 239 
Foreign3,200 (1,062)(2,464)
Total deferred (benefit) / provision$3,199 $(132)$(4,525)
Total (benefit) / provision
Federal$$735 $(2,316)
State88 274 365 
Foreign1,511 1,694 (798)
Total (benefit) / provision$1,602 $2,703 $(2,749)
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A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate on continuing operations of 21% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Income tax (benefit) provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate$(12,333)$(28,934)$235 
State income taxes(1,418)(1,208)(454)
Permanent differences(50)380 286 
Change in valuation allowance11,725 14,529 4,693 
Effect of foreign operations1,837 (147)(825)
Stock-based compensation1,728 4,222 (838)
Transaction costs— — 1,247 
Section 162(m)221 493 — 
Derivative and warrant liabilities(36)(1,940)(6,612)
U.S. GILTI inclusion511 139 — 
Goodwill impairment— 13,957 — 
Effect of change in tax rates17 (165)(835)
Research & development tax credits— — (501)
Foreign currency translation & transactions(237)560 254 
Other(363)817 601 
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes$1,602 $2,703 $(2,749)
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s effective tax rate was (2.7)%, (2.0)% and (245.2)% respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily related to a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily related to both a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis and the impairment of non-deductible goodwill for which no tax benefit was provided. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the partial release of the Company’s U.S. valuation allowance as a result of the February 2021 acquisition of HuffPost (the “HuffPost Acquisition”). The Company recorded excess deferred tax liabilities related to the Business Combination which provided a source of future taxable income to support this partial realization of the Company’s pre-existing deferred tax assets. The income tax benefit related to this change in the Company’s valuation allowance was offset by an income tax provision for foreign taxes.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act were both enacted. This new legislation included the implementation of a new corporate alternative minimum tax, an excise tax on stock buybacks, and tax incentives for energy and climate initiatives, among other provisions. The income tax provisions of the legislation had limited applicability to the Company and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On October 8, 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) released a statement on the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Sharing, which agreed to a two-pillar solution to address tax challenges of the digital economy.On December 20, 2021, the OECD released “Pillar Two” model rules defining a 15% global minimum tax rate for large multinational corporations with consolidated revenue above €750 million (or approximately $827.7 million as of December 31, 2020.

Class F Common Stock — 2023). The OECD continues to release additional guidance and countries are implementing legislation with widespread adoption of the “Pillar Two Framework” expected by calendar year 2024. The Company continues to evaluate the Pillar Two Framework and its potential impact on future periods, however based on the current proposed revenue thresholds, the Company does not expect to be subject to tax changes associated with Pillar Two.

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Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
20232022
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards$101,422 $97,812 
Accruals2,119 2,295 
Stock-based compensation1,913 2,859 
Bad debt263 360 
Interest expense7,857 4,146 
Lease liabilities14,442 20,022 
Section 174 capitalized R&D costs13,057 9,826 
Capitalized production expenses330 2,384 
Other1,729 94 
Total deferred tax asset$143,132 $139,798 
Valuation allowance(116,404)(104,679)
Net deferred tax asset$26,728 $35,119 
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred state income tax(3,158)(2,678)
Operating lease, right-of-use asset(11,334)(16,078)
Depreciation and amortization(710)(1,529)
Intangible assets(11,558)(11,630)
Total deferred tax liability$(26,760)$(31,915)
Net deferred tax (liability) asset$(32)$3,204 
Net deferred tax assets are included within prepaid expenses and other assets and net deferred tax liabilities are included within other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
In assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets, the Company considered whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based upon the weight of available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will not be able to realize its U.S. deferred tax assets and therefore has maintained a full valuation allowance on its U.S. deferred tax assets.In addition, the Company maintains a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), Spain, Japan and Canada. The Company’s valuation allowance increased by approximately $11.7 million in 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has U.S. federal and state NOLs of approximately $358.3 million and $13.3 million, respectively. Of the $358.3 million of U.S. federal NOLs, $202.2 million expire in tax year beginning 2030 through 2037 if not utilized and $156.1 million that have an indefinite lived carryforward period. The $13.3 million of state NOLs will expire in tax years beginning in 2025 to 2043 if not utilized. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has foreign NOL carryforwards of $1.1 million in Canada expiring in 2041 through 2043, $5.0 million in Japan expiring in 2026 through 2033, and $1.3 million in Spain and $15.9 million in the U.K., both with indefinite carryforward periods. Utilization of NOLs and tax credit carryforwards are subject to certain limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in the event of a change in the Company’s ownership, as defined in current income tax regulations.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has deferred interest expense carryforwards under Section 163(j) of the Code of $47.2 million which may be carried forward indefinitely but only available to offset 30% of tax adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). In addition, the Company had federal research and development tax credits of approximately $7.5 million, which expire in the tax years beginning in 2032 through 2040, if not utilized.
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Notwithstanding the current taxation of certain foreign subsidiaries under GILTI and one-time transition taxation enacted as part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the Company intends to continue to reinvest its foreign earnings indefinitely outside the U.S. If these future earnings are repatriated to the U.S., or if the Company determines that such earnings will be remitted in the foreseeable future, the Company may be required to accrue U.S. deferred taxes (if any) and applicable withholding taxes. It is not practicable to estimate the tax impact of the reversal of the outside basis difference, or the repatriation of cash due to the complexity of its hypothetical calculation.
The Company applies the applicable authoritative guidance which prescribes a comprehensive model in which a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements all material uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax positions taken on the Company’s tax returns in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded an uncertain tax position of $nil including interest and penalties related to state taxes. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no uncertain tax positions.
The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files its tax returns in the U.S. and certain state and foreign income tax jurisdictions with varying statute of limitations. The earliest years’ tax returns filed by the Company that are still subject to examination by the tax authorities in the major jurisdictions are as follows:
Years
United States2019
United Kingdom2022
Japan2018
Canada2019
14. Restructuring Costs
In April 2023, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 15% reduction in the then-current workforce. The reduction in workforce plan was part of a broader strategic reprioritization across the Company in order to improve upon profitability and cash flow. The Company incurred approximately $6.8 million of restructuring costs for the year ended December 31, 2023, comprised mainly of severance and related benefit costs, of which $4.3 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $1.3 million were included in sales and marketing, $0.4 million were included in general and administrative, and $0.8 million were included in research and development.
In December 2022, the Company’s board of directors authorized a reduction in workforce plan, which included a reduction of our then-current global employee headcount by approximately 12%. The reduction in workforce plan was intended to reduce the Company’s costs in response to a combination of factors, including: (i) challenging macroeconomic conditions; (ii) completing the integration of Complex Networks and eliminating redundancies where they existed; and (iii) an ongoing audience shift to short-form, vertical video, which was still developing from a monetization standpoint. The Company incurred approximately $5.3 million of restructuring costs related to these actions.
In March 2022, in connection with the acquisition of Complex Networks, the Company approved certain organizational changes to align sales and marketing and general and administrative functions as well as changes in content to better serve audience demands. Additionally, in June 2022, as part of a strategic repositioning of BuzzFeed News, the Company entered into a voluntary buyout proposal covering certain desks which was negotiated as part of collective bargaining between the Company and the BuzzFeed News Union. The Company incurred approximately $4.9 million of restructuring costs related to these actions.
As a result, the Company incurred approximately $10.2 million of aggregate restructuring costs for the year ended December 31, 2022, comprised mainly of severance and related benefit costs. For the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately $5.7 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $1.6 million were included in sales and marketing, $0.9 million were included in general and administrative, and $2.0 million were included in research and development.
In March 2021, the Company announced a restructuring of HuffPost, including employee terminations, in order to efficiently integrate HuffPost and establish an efficient cost structure. The Company incurred approximately $3.6 million in severance costs related to the restructuring, of which $3.2 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation
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and amortization, $0.3 million were included in sales and marketing, and $0.1 million were included in research and development.
On February 21, 2024, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 16% reduction in the then-current workforce (after the Disposition). Refer to Note 23 herein for further details on this restructuring.
15. Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” (“ASC 842”) which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in Leases (Topic 840) and generally requires leased assets and lease liabilities to be recognized on the balance sheet. On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective method. Prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with historical accounting under ASC 840.
The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2029. The Company accounts for leases under ASC 842 by recording right-of-use assets and liabilities. The right-of-use asset represents the Company’s right to use underlying assets for the lease term and the lease liability represents the Company’s obligation to make lease payments under the lease. The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at contract inception and exercises judgment and applies certain assumptions when determining the discount rate, lease term, and lease payments. ASC 842 requires a lessee to record a lease liability based on the discounted unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if the rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company does not have knowledge of the rate implicit in the lease and, therefore, uses its incremental borrowing rate for a lease. The lease term includes the non-cancelable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by an option to extend that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Certain of the Company’s lease agreements include escalating lease payments. Additionally, certain lease agreements contain renewal provisions and other provisions which require the Company to pay taxes, insurance, or maintenance costs.
The Company subleases certain leased office space to third parties when it determines there is excess leased capacity. On July 8, 2022, the Company entered into a sublease with a third party with respect to substantially all of the Company’s then-existing corporate headquarters. The sublease commenced on August 26, 2022 and expires on May 30, 2026, unless terminated sooner in accordance with the provisions of the sublease. Pursuant to the terms of the sublease, the subtenant is obligated to pay a fixed monthly rent of $0.8 million, subject to periodic increases. In-lieu of a cash security deposit, the Company received a letter of credit from Citibank for approximately $4.5 million. Refer to Note 21 herein for information regarding an impairment charge the Company recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022 with respect to the original lease. On February 21, 2024, in connection with the Disposition, the Company licensed the use of office space in our corporate headquarters. Refer to Note 23 herein for further details on this arrangement.
Sublease rent income is recognized as an offset to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition to sublease rent, other costs such as common-area maintenance, utilities, and real estate taxes are charged to subtenants over the duration of the lease for their proportionate share of these costs.
The following illustrates the lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended December 31,
20232022
Operating lease cost29,511 30,689 
Sublease income(15,694)(10,428)
Total lease cost$13,817 $20,261 
All components of total lease cost are recorded within general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statement of operations. The Company does not have material short-term or variable lease costs.
The following amounts were recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet related to operating leases:
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December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Assets
Right-of-use assets$46,715 $66,581 
Liabilities
Current lease liabilities21,659 23,398 
Noncurrent lease liabilities37,820 59,315 
Total lease liabilities$59,479 $82,713 
Other information related to leases was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
20232022
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating lease liabilities$32,870 $34,059 
Non-cash transactions:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$— $10,192 

December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)2.73.4
Weighted average discount rate13.87 %13.76 %
Maturities of lease liabilities as December 31, 2023 were as follows:
YearAmount
2024$28,244 
202525,640 
202613,069 
20272,731 
2028828 
Thereafter544 
Total lease payments$71,056 
Less: imputed interest(11,577)
Total$59,479 
Sublease receipts to be received in the future under noncancellable subleases as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
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YearAmount
2024$15,538 
202515,538 
20264,886 
2027178 
2028— 
Thereafter— 
Total$36,140 

16. Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantees
In the course of business, the Company both provides and receives indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not fulfill its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.
Legal Matters
The Company is authorizedparty to issue 25,000,000various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty and the impact that the final resolution of such matters will ultimately have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is not known, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future results of operations or cash flows.

The Company settled or resolved certain legal matters during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 that did not individually or in the aggregate have a material impact on the Company’s business or its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Video Privacy Protection Act:
On May 16, 2023, a lawsuit titled Hunthausen v. BuzzFeed, Inc. was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, asserting class action claims for alleged violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”) based on the claimed transmission of personally identifying information via the Meta pixel, Google Analytics, and the TikTok pixel, all of which are purportedly connected to posts on the BuzzFeed.com website. The putative class plaintiff was seeking an injunction to stop further alleged wrongful conduct, to recover unspecified compensatory damages and an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief. The matter was settled on January 4, 2024 and is now disposed.
On August 4, 2023, the Company received 8,927 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that the Company violated the VPPA by transmitting personally identifying information via the Meta pixel, purportedly connected to posts on the BuzzFeed website. Each claimant was seeking to recover damages in the amount of $2,500 (actual dollars) for each alleged violation of the VPPA. We provisionally settled these claims on January 29, 2024.
On August 15, 2023, the Company received (1) 5,247 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that the Company violated the VPPA by transmitting personally identifying information via the use of various pixels purportedly in connection with the HuffPost.com website; and (2) 12,176 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that the Company violated the VPPA by transmitting personal identifying information via the use of various pixels purportedly in connection with the BuzzFeed.com website. Each claimant was seeking to recover damages in the amount of $2,500 (actual dollars) for each alleged violation of the VPPA, as well as punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and equitable relief. We provisionally settled these claims on January 16, 2024.
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On October 31, 2023, we received 590 individual demands for JAMS arbitration in California, all of which allege that we violated the VPPA by transmitting personally identifying information via the use of various pixels purportedly in connection with the BuzzFeed.com website. Each claimant was seeking to recover damages in the amount of $2,500 (actual dollars) for each alleged violation of the VPPA. We provisionally settled these claims on January 29, 2024.

Mass Arbitrations:

Two mass arbitrations (the “Arbitrations”) were initiated before the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) on March 15, 2022 against the Company and certain of its executive officers and directors (together, the “BuzzFeed Defendants”) and Continental Stock Transfer Corporation by 91 individuals previously employed by Legacy BuzzFeed (the “Claimants”). The Claimants alleged that they were harmed when they were allegedly unable to convert their shares of Class FB common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share.  In October 2020, the Company issued 7,187,500 shares of Class F common stock, including an aggregate of 937,500 shares of Class F common stock that were subject to forfeiture, to the Company by the initial stockholders for no consideration to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial stockholders would collectively own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the shares comprising the Private Placement Units). The underwriter exercised its over-allotment option in full on January 14, 2021; thus, the 937,500 shares of Class F common stock were no longer subject to forfeiture.

Holders of the Class A common stock and holderssell those shares on December 6, 2021, the first day of trading following the Class F common stock of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders, including any vote in connection with the initial Business Combination, and vote together as a single class, except as required by law.

The Class F common stock will automatically convert into Class A common stock at the timeasserted claims for negligence, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of Section 11 of the initial Business Combination, or earlier atSecurities Act. The Claimants sought to recover unspecified compensatory damages, an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief.


On April 21, 2022, the optionBuzzFeed Defendants filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking to enjoin the Arbitrations on the grounds that, inter alia, the Claimants’ purported causes of action arise from their rights as shareholders of the holder,Company, are governed by the Company’s charter, including its forum selection provision, and are therefore not arbitrable (the “Delaware Action”). The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief. A hearing on a one-for-one basis, subject to increase in respectthe merits of the issuanceDelaware Action was held on July 26, 2022. On October 28, 2022, the Court of certain securities, as provided herein. InChancery granted the caseCompany’s motion to permanently enjoin the Claimants’ arbitration claims.

On January 17, 2023, the Claimants filed amended statements of claim in the Arbitrations against BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Corporation, the transfer agent for 890 and, later, for the Company. The amended statements of claim likewise allege that additionalthe Claimants were harmed when they were allegedly unable to convert their shares of Class AB common stock or equity-linked securities (as described herein), are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of the initial Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class F common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class F common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class F common stock will equal, in the aggregate, 20% of the aggregate number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, plus the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issuedsell those shares on the first day of trading following the Business Combination. The Claimants allege claims for breach of contract and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, misrepresentation, and negligence, and seek to recover unspecified compensatory damages, an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief.

On March 29, 2023, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., filed a complaint in connection with the initial Business Combination (netDelaware Court of Chancery seeking to enjoin the Arbitrations on the grounds that, inter alia, the Claimants’ purported causes of action arise from their rights as shareholders of the numberCompany, are governed by the Company’s charter, including its forum selection provision, and are therefore not arbitrable. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. The parties cross-moved for summary judgment.

On November 20, 2023, the Court of sharesChancery heard oral arguments on the Company’s motion for summary judgment and the Claimants’ cross-motion to dismiss the Company’s complaint. The arbitrations are stayed until the Court resolves the motions on the merits. The decision of the Court is pending.
Nasdaq Listing Compliance
On May 31, 2023, the Company received a letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for the Company’s Class A common stock redeemed in connectionhad closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Global Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Bid Price Requirement”).
In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until November 27, 2023, to regain compliance with the initial Business Combination), excluding any sharesBid Price Requirement. The Company did not regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement on or equity-linked securities issued, orbefore November 27, 2023. However, upon receipt of both the Company’s application to be issued,transfer from The Nasdaq Global Market to any sellerThe Nasdaq Capital Market and a written notification by the Company of its intent to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement, including by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary, the Staff notified the Company in the initial Business Combination.

Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional Public Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering; provided in each caseletter dated November 28, 2023, that the Company haswas eligible for an effective registration statement underadditional 180-day period, or until May 28, 2024, to regain compliance (the “Second Compliance Period”). The Staff’s determination was based, in part, on the Securities Act coveringCompany meeting the continued listing requirement with respect to the market value of publicly held shares and all other applicable requirements for initial listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market

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except for the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. As of the opening of business November 30, 2023, the Company’s Class A common stock issuable upon exerciseand warrants were transferred to The Nasdaq Capital Market, which operates in substantially the same manner as The Nasdaq Global Market, where they continue to trade under the symbols “BZFD” and “BZFDW,” respectively.
If, at any time before the end of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (orSecond Compliance Period, the Company permits holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration underbid price for the Securities Act). The Company agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and have an effective registration statement covering the shares of theCompany’s Class A common stock issuable upon exercisecloses at $1.00 or more for at least 10 consecutive business days, unless the Staff exercises its discretion to extend this 10-day period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H), the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that it has regained compliance with the Bid Price Requirement.
The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of theits Class A common stock until the warrants expire orexpiration of the Second Compliance Period. If necessary, the Company’s plan to regain compliance includes the implementation of a reverse stock split. The Company intends to seek stockholder approval to effect a reverse stock split at the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders on April 25, 2024. Such approval would allow the Company’s board of directors, in its discretion, to elect to implement such reverse stock split at any time prior to April 25, 2025 (i.e., within one year of the date the proposal is approved by our stockholders). Completing a reverse stock split will not, in of itself, cause the Company to remain in compliance with Nasdaq’s listing standards. If the Company chooses to effect a reverse stock split, it will have to be implemented no later than ten business days prior to the end of the Second Compliance Period (i.e., by May 13, 2024).
If the Company does not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by the end of the Second Compliance Period (i.e., by May 28, 2024), Nasdaq will notify the Company that its securities are redeemed,subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, the Company may appeal the Staff’s determination to delist its securities before the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel. However, there can be no assurance that, if the Company receives a delisting notice and appeals the delisting determination, such an appeal would be successful.
17. Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as specifiedcomponents of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the CODM, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
The Company has determined that its chief executive officer is its CODM who makes resource allocation decisions and assesses performance based upon financial information at the consolidated level. The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purpose of assessing and making operating decisions. Since the Company operates in one operating segment, all required financial segment information can be found in the warrant agreement. Ifconsolidated financial statements.
18. Related Party Transactions
In June 2021, in connection with the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, and effective as of the closing of the Business Combination, BuzzFeed entered into a registration statement covering the sharesCommercial Agreement with NBCU, a holder of the5% or more of our Class A common stock, issuable upon exercisepursuant to which, among other things: (1) NBCU continues to be entitled to marketing services on BuzzFeed platforms at certain discounted rates; (2) BuzzFeed provides editorial promotion of at least $1.0 million in marketing value during each year of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closingterm of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may,Commercial Agreement across BuzzFeed’s digital properties at no cost to NBCU, its affiliates and joint ventures and their respective brands; (3) BuzzFeed provides licensed content to NBCU to be made available on an applicable NBCU entity streaming service under certain exclusivity terms during the remainder of the term of the Commercial Agreement; (4) NBCU is the exclusive sales representative for all BuzzFeed inventory, including HuffPost inventory, on Apple News and BuzzFeed endeavored to spend at least $1.0 million during the first year of the term of the Commercial Agreement to promote any of its commerce initiatives; and (5) BuzzFeed provides 200 million impressions per year of the term of the Commercial Agreement to drive traffic from the BuzzFeed platforms and third-party social media platforms to NBCU news properties. The Commercial Agreement will continue to be in effect until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during anyDecember 3, 2024 (i.e., for a period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis”of three years), unless earlier terminated by either party in accordance with Section 3(a)(9)its terms and conditions, or until terminated by BuzzFeed after NBCU realizes $400.0 million or more in value for the NBCU Base Shares (as defined in the Escrow Agreement), which has yet to occur.
The Company also entered into certain partnership agreements with NBCU in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The Company recognized revenue from NBCU of $3.2 million, $5.3 million and $2.9 million for the Securities Act or another exemption.


years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The warrants haveCompany recognized expenses under contractual obligations from

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NBCU of $nil, $0.7 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company had outstanding receivable balances of $0.2 million and $2.2 million from NBCU as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had an exercise priceoutstanding payable balances of $11.50 per whole share, subject$0.2 million to adjustments, and will expire five years after the completionNBCU as of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additionalDecember 31, 2023 (none as of December 31, 2022).
On March 15, 2023, Verizon Ventures LLC (“Verizon”) converted all 6,478,031 shares of Class C common stock into Class A common stock, resulting in Verizon and its affiliates holding more than 5% of our Class A common stock. Verizon is the landlord for the Company’s corporate headquarters (for which the Company assumed responsibility as part of the Complex Networks Acquisition), and we transact with Verizon in the normal course of business, such as with agency advertising deals and for certain utilities. The Company recognized revenue from Verizon of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $nil for both the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Company recognized expenses under contractual obligations from Verizon of $6.0 million, $5.8 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company had no outstanding receivables or equity-linked securitiespayables from or to Verizon as of December 31, 2023 or 2022.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements require the Company to indemnify each such individual, against any and all expenses incurred by him or her because of his or her status as one of our directors or executive officers, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and our restated bylaws.
19. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Cash paid for income taxes, net$1,296 $2,028 $1,228 
Cash paid for interest17,169 15,729 901 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to property and equipment134 298 306 
Accrued deferred offering costs597 — — 
Exchange of accounts receivable in exchange for investment in equity securities750 — — 
Issuance of common stock for HuffPost Acquisition— — 24,064 
Issuance of common stock for Complex Networks Acquisition— — 96,200 
Warrants assumed as part of the Business Combination— — 9,678 
Accrued reverse recapitalization costs— — 585 
20. Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net consisted of the following for capital raisingthe years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:

Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Exchange gain (loss)$1,103 $(4,612)$(1,837)
(Loss) gain on investments(3,500)1,260 — 
Other expense(841)(1,250)(1,366)
Other income73 1,026 683 
Loss on disposition of subsidiary— — (1,234)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets175 500 (220)
Total$(2,990)$(3,076)$(3,974)

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21. Impairment Expense
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company subleased its former corporate headquarters to a third party. The sublease commenced on August 26, 2022 and expires on May 30, 2026, unless terminated sooner in accordance with the provisions of the sublease. In connection with the sublease, the Company afforded the subtenant a four-month rent free period, which was the main driver in the cash outflows exceeding cash inflows over the life of the sublease. As such, the Company identified a triggering event for a potential impairment with respect to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements associated with the subleased property. The Company determined the subleased property represented a separate asset class for the purposes of impairment testing and measurement, and the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.2 million, with $1.4 million allocated to the right-of-use asset, and the remaining $0.8 million allocated to leasehold improvements. The fair values were determined based on estimated future discounted cash flows using market participant assumptions.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company experienced a sustained decline in share price that pushed its market capitalization below its carrying value. The Company concluded the sustained decline in share price was a triggering event for potential impairment and conducted a quantitative impairment assessment. Based on the quantitative impairment assessment, the Company concluded the fair value of the single reporting unit was less than its carrying value and as such recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $64.3 million. The fair value of the single reporting was determined using an equal weighting of the adjusted market capitalization method (market approach) and the discounted cash flow method (income approach).
22. Held for Sale, Discontinued Operations, and Disposals
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations:
As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined the assets of Complex Networks, excluding the First We Feast brand, met the criteria for classification as held for sale. Additionally, the Company concluded the ultimate disposal will represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Therefore, the historical results of Complex Networks, excluding the First We Feast brand, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein.
In February 2024, the Company completed the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks (i.e., the Disposition) for approximately $108.6 million in cash. The Company disposed of Complex Networks in order to refocus its business around scalable, high-margin, and tech-led revenue streams. See Note 23 herein for further details about the Disposition.
Details of net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, are as follows:
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For the Year Ended December 31,
20232022
20211
Revenue$58,292 $94,120 $13,760 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization44,646 67,467 8,382 
Sales and marketing11,387 23,969 1,748 
General and administrative1,816 6,297 3,858 
Research and development2,143 3,497 265 
Depreciation and amortization10,809 10,810 767 
Impairment expense— 38,036 — 
Total costs and expenses70,801 150,076 15,020 
Loss from discontinued operations(12,509)(55,956)(1,260)
Loss from classification to held for sale(9,462)— — 
Interest expense, net(7,019)(5,564)(389)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes(28,990)(61,520)(1,649)
Income tax benefit— (677)(23,655)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes$(28,990)$(60,843)$22,006 

(1) The Company acquired Complex Networks on December 3, 2021, and therefore only approximately one month of activity is presented within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Allocated general corporate overhead costs do not meet the criteria to be presented within net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, and were excluded from all figures presented in the table above.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, there was no income tax provision / (benefit) in discontinued operations, as a result of the valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis.For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded an income tax benefit in discontinued operations as a result of the partial release of the Company’s U.S. valuation allowance, as the Business Combination, which was consummated during 2021, created a source of income of future taxable income.
As part of the Disposition, the Company was required to repay approximately $33.8 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and $30.9 million of the $150.0 million outstanding under the Notes (i.e., approximately 20.6%), leaving approximately $119.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 7, 2024. All historical interest expense associated with the Revolving Credit Facility and 20.6% of the historical interest expense associated with the Notes were allocated to the discontinued operation. Refer to Note 23 herein for further details on this repayment.
Details of the assets of discontinued operations are as follows:
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Intangible assets, net$79,481 $90,291 
Goodwill34,070 34,070 
Valuation allowance(9,462)— 
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations, net of valuation allowance$104,089 $124,361 
The Company recorded a valuation allowance against the assets held for sale to reflect the write-down of the carrying value to fair value less estimated costs to sell. The non-cash valuation allowance of $9.5 million was recorded within loss from classification to held for sale in the summarized financial information of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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There were no current assets, current liabilities, or noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations for any periods presented as the disposal group consisted of intangible assets, net, and goodwill.
The Company has continuing involvement with Commerce Media through a transition services agreement, through which the Company and Commerce Media are to provide certain services to each other for a period of time following the Disposition (specifically, for an initial term of 180 days from February 21, 2024, with two additional consecutive terms of 90 days each, at Commerce Media’s discretion). Additionally, the Company and Commerce Media entered into a space sharing agreement whereby Commerce Media will license a portion of the Company’s corporate headquarters (see Note 23 herein for additional details). For the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not collect any cash related to these activities.
Dispositions of HuffPost Italy, HuffPost Korea and HuffPost France:
During 2021 the Company disposed of its 51% ownership interests in HuffingtonPost Italia S.R.L (“HuffPost Italy”), HuffingtonPost Korea, Ltd. (“HuffPost Korea”), and Le HuffingtonPost SAS (“HuffPost France”) for nominal consideration and recognized losses on disposition of $1.2 million. HuffPost Italy, HuffPost Korea, and HuffPost France did not have a material impact on the Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021.
23. Subsequent Events
Sale of Complex Networks:
On February 21, 2024, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into the Complex Sale Agreement with Commerce Media, providing for the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks (i.e., the Disposition). Pursuant to the Complex Sale Agreement, Commerce Media purchased certain assets, and assumed certain liabilities, related to the business of Complex Networks, excluding the business operating under the First We Feast brand and as otherwise set forth in the Agreement, for an aggregate purchase price of $108.6 million, which was paid in cash on February 21, 2024. In connection with the Disposition, the Company was required to repay (i) approximately $30.9 million to holders of the Notes and (ii) approximately $33.8 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest of $0.7 million (such amounts were repaid shortly after the Disposition). The Company terminated the Revolving Credit Facility, except for the $15.5 million in letters of credit outstanding, which were cash collateralized in the amount of $17.1 million. The Company incurred a $0.5 million early termination fee and a standby letter of credit fee of $0.5 million, both of which were paid upon closing of the Disposition on February 21, 2024.
Concurrent with the closing of the Disposition, the Company and Commerce Media entered into a Space Sharing Agreement whereby Commerce Media paid the Company a one-time license fee of approximately $2.8 million for use of the certain office space in our corporate headquarters from February 21, 2024 until on June 30, 2025 (or such earlier date that the underlying sublease or master lease earlier expires or is terminated).
Additionally, on February 28, 2024, the indenture governing the Notes was amended to, among other things, provide that 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes.
Restructuring:
On February 21, 2024, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 16% reduction in the then-current workforce (after the Disposition). In doing so, the Company is reducing the size of its centralized operations to enable its individual brands to operate with more autonomy and deliver against their differentiated value propositions for advertisers. The reduction in workforce plan is intended to position the Company to be more agile, sustainable, and profitable. The Company expects to substantially complete the reduction in workforce plan by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Where required, worker adjustment and retraining notification (“WARN”) was given. In addition, all eligible employees were offered severance benefits in exchange for the execution of a separation and release agreement, subject to the WARN offset where applicable.
In connection with the workforce reduction, senior executives subject to the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Plan were offered severance in accordance therewith, contingent on their execution of a separation and release agreement.
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The Company expects to recognize restructuring charges in connection with the workforce reduction plan, including the cost of providing, where required, WARN notice, and severance, including outplacement services and benefits continuation. The Company estimates that the foregoing charges will range between $2.5 million to $4.0 million, and we expect the charges will be recognized primarily in the first quarter of 2024, with the majority of such charges anticipated to be paid by the end of the second quarter of 2024. The substantial majority of these charges will result in cash expenditures. Additionally, pursuant to the Complex Sale Agreement, Commerce Media reimbursed the Company for approximately $1.8 million in payments related to “Non-Transferring Employees” (as defined in the Complex Sale Agreement), including severance. The amount of these severance and related charges are not included within our expected restructuring charges noted above. The Company expects to treat the reimbursement as an expense reimbursement.

License of BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost’s U.K. Operations:

On March 28, 2024, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., BuzzFeed UK Ltd., and TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, entered into a license agreement and an ancillary asset purchase and employee transfer agreement and IT services agreement with Independent Digital News and Media Limited (“IDNM”). Under the license agreement, the above-referenced entities have granted IDNM a license to use the intellectual property, websites, social media accounts, and content of the BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost brands in the U.K. The initial Business Combination, atterm is five years, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the license agreement. All employees who support the BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost brands will be transferred to IDNM as of April 1, 2024. Pursuant to the license agreement, IDNM will pay an issue price or effective issue priceannual license fee of less than $9.20 perbetween £0.3 million and £0.5 million (or approximately between $0.3 million and $0.5 million as of March 27, 2024), plus a net revenue share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price25% if certain criteria are met, as set forth in the license agreement.
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be determineddisclosed by us in good faithour reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. In making this evaluation, management considered the material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting described below. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, the period covered in this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
Notwithstanding the assessment that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective and that material weaknesses existed as of December 31, 2023, we believe that we have performed sufficient supplementary procedures to ensure that the consolidated financial statements contained in this filing fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented, in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Our management is also required to assess and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (i.e., COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the material weaknesses described below.
Previously Disclosed Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
In preparing the financial statements as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2022 and 2021, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which remain unremediated as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2023. The material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting related to: (i) a lack of formalized internal controls and segregation of duties surrounding our financial statement close process, and (ii) a lack of formalized information technology (“IT”) general controls in the area of change management and logical security controls over financial IT systems. The remediation of these deficiencies has required, and will continue to require, a significant amount of time and resources from management and other personnel.
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Management’s Remediation Plan
(a) A Lack of Formalized Internal Controls and Segregation of Duties Surrounding our Financial Statement Close Process:
During 2023, with the oversight of the audit committee of our board of directors, we began implementing remediation plans and inenhanced controls within the casefinancial statement close process, including documentation improvements for certain higher risk and material balance sheet reconciliation schedules and supporting financial calculations and analyses. However, certain business process controls were not designed, or did not operate at the appropriate level of any such issuanceprecision, to the initial stockholdersprevent or their respective affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares or shares comprising the Private Placement Units held by them prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds,detect a material misstatement, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination, and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Class A common stock during the 10 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Market Value, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described below will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Value.

The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

Redemption of warrants when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00:

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants for cash (except as described hereinconflicts with respect to segregation of duties were identified across our end-to-end financial statement close process. Our management will continue to implement remediation plans to define control procedures, enhance documentation, and enforce segregation of duties to ensure controls are adequately designed and operate sufficiently including, but not limited to: enhancing certain higher risk balance sheet reconciliation schedules, completeness and accuracy, and related review procedures; enhancing review procedures with respect to financial results and supporting financial calculations; designing processes and controls to adequately segregate job responsibilities; redesigning workflow approval routing and security permissions; and reducing reliance on manual controls.

(b) A Lack of Formalized Information Technology General Controls in the Private Placement Warrants):

·in whole and not in part;

·at a price of $0.01 per Warrant;

·upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

if,Area of Change Management and only if,Logical Security Controls Over Financial Information Technology Systems:

During 2023, our management began implementing remediation plans to address certain control deficiencies around system development and change management and IT security, including formalizing the last reported sale priceprocesses and controls around security administration and implementing user access reviews for certain key financial systems. However, we did not have sufficient resources with technical expertise to centralize certain IT functions and to provide adequate IT oversight over financial systems.
Our management intends to revisit its IT sustainment plan to further support and provide appropriate oversight over key financial systems, and intends to implement remediation plans, including, but not limited to: centralizing the change management and security administration function; implementing policies and procedures with respect to change management, system development, and application-level security; documenting test procedures and approvals relating to changes made to production; maintaining separate development, test, and production environments; formalizing controls around security administration; and implementing real-time monitoring.
Remediation of Class A common stock equalsPreviously Reported Material Weakness
In preparing the financial statements as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2022 and 2021, we previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, which related to ineffective upstream processes for gathering critical data to support a formalized assessment and review of certain technical accounting matters. As of December 31, 2023, our management completed the following actions designed to remediate the material weakness evidenced by: enhanced collaboration, awareness and communication across departments to help identify and report significant, complex and contracts containing non-standard terms; recurring end-user training to reinforce timely communication and reporting of certain contracts; enhanced documentation to demonstrate management’s revenue recognition assessments and conclusions; and more robust review controls to ensure proper revenue recognition.
Based on the above actions taken to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the communication of critical data and documentation of technical accounting assessments, and in conjunction with the results of our testing over the design and operating effectiveness of the relevant controls, management has deemed the previously identified material weaknesses as remediated.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than the remediation of the material weakness and ongoing remediation efforts described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the year ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizationsare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
The effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, is subject to inherent limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and procedures, and the likeinability to eliminate misconduct completely. Accordingly, in designing and for certain issuancesevaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any system of Class A common stockinternal control over financial reporting, including ours, no matter how well designed and equity-linked securities as described above) foroperated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Moreover, projections of any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day priorevaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the daterisk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We intend to continue to monitor and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate for our business but cannot assure you that such improvements will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) License of BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost’s U.K. Operations

The registrant elects to disclose under this Item 9B information otherwise disclosable in a report on Form 8-K.

On March 28, 2024, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., BuzzFeed UK Ltd., and TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., all of which are our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a license agreement and an ancillary asset purchase and employee transfer agreement and IT services agreement with Independent Digital News and Media Limited (“IDNM”). Under the Company sendslicense agreement, the noticeabove-referenced entities have granted IDNM a license to use the intellectual property, websites, social media accounts, and content of redemptionthe BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost brands in the U.K. The initial term is five years, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the warrant holders.

terms of the license agreement. All employees who support the BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost brands will be transferred to IDNM as of April 1, 2024. Pursuant to the license agreement, IDNM will pay an annual license fee of between £0.3 million and £0.5 million (or approximately between $0.3 million and $0.5 million as of March 27, 2024), plus a net revenue share of 25% if certain criteria are met, as set forth in the license agreement. A copy of the license agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.24 to this Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference, and the description of the license agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

(b) Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated, including by modification, a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company willinformation required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors,” “Board Of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors; Corporate Governance Standards and Director Independence—Committees of Our Board of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Board Of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors; Corporate Governance Standards and Director Independence—Code of Conduct,” “Board Of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors; Corporate Governance Standards and Director Independence—Insider Trading Arrangement and Policies,” and, if applicable, “Additional Information—Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Executive Compensation”, “Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation” and “Non-Employee Director Compensation” to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Security Ownership of Beneficial Ownership and Management,” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Board Of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors; Corporate Governance Standards and Director Independence” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services” to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements
Our consolidated financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules are omitted because the information called for is not redeemrequired or is shown either in the warrants unlessconsolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits
The following is a registration statementlist of exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
DescriptionFormExhibitFiling Date
1.18-K1.16/20/2023
2.1.18-K2.16/24/2021
2.1.2S-4/A2.210/29/2021
2.2.1†*S-42.27/30/2021
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2.2.2S-42.37/30/2021
2.38-K2.12/21/2024
3.1.18-K3.112/9/2021
3.1.28-K3.13/15/2023
3.1.310-Q3.38/9/2023
3.28-K3.212/9/2021
4.1
4.2.1S-4/A4.110/1/2021
4.2.2S-1/A4.31/6/2021
4.3.18-K4.312/9/2021
4.3.28-K4.412/9/2021
4.3.310-Q4.18/9/2023
4.3.48-K4.12/29/2024
10.1S-410.67/30/2021
10.28-K4.11/15/2021
10.3S-410.27/30/2021
10.48-K10.812/9/2021
10.5S-410.97/30/2021
10.68-K10.112/9/2021
10.78-K10.412/9/2021
10.88-K10.1912/9/2021
10.9.1†8-K10.2212/9/2021
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10.9.28-K10.112/15/2022
10.9.310-Q10.35/10/2023
10.9.48-K10.16/30/2023
10.9.58-K10.19/29/2023
10.108-K10.18/16/2022
10.11.1‡S-899.12/8/2022
10.11.2‡8-K10.1012/9/2021
10.11.3‡8-K10.1112/9/2021
10.11.4‡8-K10.1212/9/2021
10.11.5‡8-K10.1312/9/2021
10.11.6‡8-K10.1412/9/2021
10.12‡8-K10.1512/9/2021
10.13‡8-K10.1612/9/2021
10.14‡S-110.181/11/2022
10.15.1‡
10.15.2‡
10.16.1‡
10.16.2‡
10.17‡10-K10.33/16/2023
10.18.1‡8-K10.15/6/2022
10.18.2‡8-K10.08/9/2022
10.19‡8-K10.12/4/2022
10.20‡10-Q10.105/10/2023
10.21‡10-Q10.105/10/2023
10.22‡10-K10.33/16/2023
10.23†*S-4/A10.149/8/2021
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10.24
19.1.1
19.1.2
21.1
23.1
24.1
31.1
31.2
32.1#
32.2#
97.1
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and included in Exhibit 101).
†    Schedules and exhibits to this Exhibit omitted pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
*    The Registrant has omitted portions of this Exhibit as permitted under Item 601(b)(1) of Regulation S-K.
‡    Indicates a management or compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors or executive officers are eligible to participate.
#    This certification is deemed not filed for purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act coveringof 1933, as amended, or the issuanceSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the sharesSecurities Exchange Act of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BuzzFeed, Inc.
By:/s/ Jonah Peretti
Jonah Peretti
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Date:March 29, 2024
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jonah Peretti and Matt Omer, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, proxies and agents, each with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with any exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact, proxies and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact, proxies and agents, or their or his or her substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those sharesSecurities Exchange Act of common stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period, except if the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act. If and when the warrants become redeemable1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the Company, it may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualifyfollowing persons on behalf of the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

If the Company calls the warrants for redemption as described above, the management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.”

In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any warrant. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds heldRegistrant in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution fromcapacities and on the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

dates indicated.

Redemption of warrants for when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00:

Commencing ninety days after the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:

Name·Titlein wholeDate
/s/ Jonah PerettiChief Executive Officer and not in part;DirectorMarch 29, 2024

Jonah Peretti·(principal executive officer)at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to an agreed table based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of Class A common stock;
/s/ Matt OmerChief Financial OfficerMarch 29, 2024

Matt Omer·(principal financial officer)upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption;
/s/ Daniel WeinsteinChief Accounting OfficerMarch 29, 2024

Daniel Weinstein·(principal accounting officer)if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders;
/s/ Anjula AchariaDirectorMarch 29, 2024

Anjula Acharia·
/s/ Greg Colemanif and only if, there is an effective registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating thereto is available throughout the 30-day period after the written notice of redemption is given.DirectorMarch 29, 2024
Greg Coleman
/s/ Janet RolléDirectorMarch 29, 2024
Janet Rollé
/s/ Patrick KerinsDirectorMarch 29, 2024
Patrick Kerins
/s/ Adam RothsteinDirectorMarch 29, 2024
Adam Rothstein

Note 7—Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated events that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statement was issued. Based upon this review, other than described in the financial statement, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

F-16

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