Operating Segments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Operating Segments

Note 9 — Operating Segments

The Research segment includes the costs of the Company’s research personnel who are responsible for writing the research and performing the webinars and inquiries for the Company’s Research and Connect products. In addition, the research personnel deliver advisory services (such as workshops, speeches and advisory days) and a portion of the Company’s project consulting services. Revenue in this segment includes only revenue from advisory services and project consulting services that are delivered by the research personnel in this segment.

The Product segment includes the costs of the product management organization that is responsible for product pricing and packaging and the launch of new products. In addition, this segment includes the costs of the Company’s Data, Connect and Events organizations. Revenue in this segment includes all revenue for the Company (including Research and Connect) except for revenue from advisory services and project consulting services that are delivered by personnel in the Research and Project Consulting segments.

The Project Consulting segment includes the costs of the consultants that deliver the majority of the Company’s project consulting services. Revenue in this segment includes the project consulting revenue delivered by the consultants in this segment.

The Company evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on segment revenues and expenses. Segment expenses include the direct expenses of each segment organization and exclude selling and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation expense, adjustments to incentive bonus compensation from target amounts, amortization of intangible assets, reorganization costs, other income, and gains (losses) on investments. The accounting policies used by the segments are the same as those used in the consolidated financial statements.

						Project
	Products		Research			Consulting		Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Research services revenues	$	52,727	$	—		$	—	$	52,727
Advisory services and events revenues		2,333		10,643			11,724		24,700
Total segment revenues		55,060		10,643			11,724		77,427
Segment expenses		8,884		12,548			6,237		27,669
Contribution margin (loss)		46,176		(1,905	)		5,487		49,758
Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses									(41,998	)
Amortization of intangible assets									(208	)
Reorganization costs									—
Other income (expense) and gains (losses) on investments									(856	)
Income before income taxes								$	6,696

						Project
	Products		Research			Consulting		Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Research services revenues	$	52,205	$	—		$	—	$	52,205
Advisory services and events revenues		2,041		9,804			10,703		22,548
Total segment revenues		54,246		9,804			10,703		74,753
Segment expenses		7,918		12,711			6,811		27,440
Contribution margin (loss)		46,328		(2,907	)		3,892		47,313
Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses									(40,820	)
Amortization of intangible assets									(224	)
Reorganization costs									(928	)
Other income (expense) and gains (losses) on investments									404
Income before income taxes								$	5,745

						Project
	Products		Research			Consulting		Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Research services revenues	$	160,998	$	—		$	—	$	160,998
Advisory services and events revenues		14,191		33,905			33,555		81,651
Total segment revenues		175,189		33,905			33,555		242,649
Segment expenses		30,306		38,707			20,039		89,052
Contribution margin (loss)		144,883		(4,802	)		13,516		153,597
Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses									(130,208	)
Amortization of intangible assets									(627	)
Reorganization costs									(1,026	)
Other income (expense) and gains (losses) on investments									(765	)
Income before income taxes								$	20,971

						Project
	Products		Research			Consulting		Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Research services revenues	$	156,667	$	—		$	—	$	156,667
Advisory services and events revenues		12,763		31,454			31,867		76,084
Total segment revenues		169,430		31,454			31,867		232,751
Segment expenses		27,799		38,467			20,544		86,810
Contribution margin (loss)		141,631		(7,013	)		11,323		145,941
Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses									(126,120	)
Amortization of intangible assets									(669	)
Reorganization costs									(4,433	)
Other income (expense) and gains (losses) on investments									578
Income before income taxes								$	15,297