Note 1 - Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 1—Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

MeetMe, Inc. (the “Company”) is a social network for meeting new people both on the web and on mobile platforms, including on iPhone, Android, iPad and other tablets, that facilitate interactions among users and encourages users to connect with each other. The Company monetizes through advertising, virtual currency, and paid subscriptions. The Company provides users with access to an expansive, multilingual menu of resources that promote social interaction, information sharing and other topics of interest to users. The Company offers online marketing capabilities, which enable marketers to display their advertisements in different formats and in different locations. The Company works with its advertisers to maximize the effectiveness of their campaigns by optimizing advertisement formats and placement.

Just as Facebook has established itself as the social network of friends and family, and LinkedIn as the social network of colleagues and business professionals, the Company is creating the social network not of the people you know but of the people you want to know. The Company believes meeting new people is a basic human need, especially for users aged 18-30, when so many long-lasting relationships are made. There are more than 1 billion people aged 18-30 worldwide with more than 50 million such people in the United States.

The Company believes that it has significant growth opportunities ahead as people increasingly use their mobile devices to discover the people around them. Given the importance of establishing connections within a user’s geographic proximity, the Company believes it is critical to establish a high density of users within the geographic regions it serves. As the Company’s network grows the number of users in a location, the Company believes users who are seeking to meet new people will incrementally benefit from the quantity of relevant connections.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).  The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and affiliates in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement date. Normally a controlling financial interest reflects ownership of a majority of the voting interests.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and  its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Quepasa.com de Mexico, Quepasa Serviços em Solucoes de Publicidade E Tecnologia Ltda (inactive) and MeetMe Online S/S Ltda.   All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and reflect all normal, recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial information. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent quarter or for the year ending December 31, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on March 25, 2014. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions are required in the determination of revenue recognition, the allowance on accounts receivables, the fair value of financial instruments, the valuation of long-lived and indefinite-lived assets, and valuation of deferred tax assets, income taxes, contingencies and stock-based compensation. Some of these judgments can be subjective and complex, and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates. 

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.  The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and ASC 605-45 “Principal Agent Considerations.”

During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had transactions with several partners that qualify for principal agent considerations. The Company recognizes revenue net of amounts retained by third party entities, pursuant to revenue sharing agreements with advertising networks for advertising and with other partners for royalties on product sales.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s revenue was generated from three principal sources: revenue earned from the sales of advertising on the Company’s website and mobile applications and virtual currency products.

Advertising Revenue

Advertising and custom sponsorship revenues consist primarily of advertising fees earned from the display of advertisements and click-throughs on text based links on the Company’s website and mobile applications. Revenue from online advertising is recognized as impressions are delivered. An impression is delivered when an advertisement appears on pages viewed by members of the Company’s website and mobile applications. Revenue from the display of click-throughs on text based links is recognized as click-throughs occur. The Company recognizes advertising revenue from customers that are advertising networks on a net basis, while advertising revenues earned directly from advertisers are recognized on a gross basis. Approximately 72% and 71% of the Company’s revenue came from advertising during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Virtual Currency Products

Revenue is earned from virtual currency monetization products sold to our website and mobile application users.  The Company offers Credits and “Lunch Money” as virtual currency to our platform users. Users buy Lunch Money and credits to purchase the Company’s virtual products which put them in the spotlight, helping to get more attention from the community and thereby meet more people faster on our platform.  These virtual products are consumed immediately. Credits can be purchased using PayPal on the website and iTunes and Google checkout via mobile applications.  Platform users do not own the Credits but have a limited right to use the credits on virtual products offered for sale on the Company’s platform. Credits are non-refundable, the Company may change the purchase price of Credits at any time, and the Company reserves the right to stop issuing Credits in the future.  The Company’s virtual currencies are not transferable, cannot be sold or exchanged outside our platform, are not redeemable for any sum of money, and can only be used for virtual products sold on the Company’ platform. Lunch Money is purchased by users and used and recorded as revenue immediately. Virtual Currency is recorded in deferred revenue when purchased and recognized as revenue when: (i) the credits are used by the customer; or (ii) the Company determines the likelihood of the credits being redeemed by the customer is remote (breakage) and there is not a legal obligation to remit the unredeemed credits to the relevant jurisdiction. The determination of the virtual currency breakage rate is based upon Company-specific historical redemption patterns. Virtual currency breakage is recognized in revenue as the credits are used on a pro rata basis over a three month period (life of the user) beginning at the date of the virtual currency sale and is included in revenue in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Breakage recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $250,000 and $0, respectively. For “VIP” and other subscriptions based products, the Company recognizes revenue over the term of the subscription.

The Company also earns revenue from advertisement products from currency engagement actions (i.e. sponsored engagement advertisements) by users on all of the Company’s platforms, including cost-per-action (CPA) currency incented promotions and sales on our proprietary cross-platform currency monetization product, “Social Theater.”  The Company controls and develops the Social Theater product and CPA promotions and acts as a principal in these transactions and recognizes the related revenue on a gross basis when collections are reasonably assured and upon delivery of the virtual currency to the users’ account. When a user performs an action, the user earns virtual currency and the Company earns product revenue from the advertiser.

Social Theater is a product that allows the Company to offer advertisers a way to leverage the Facebook platform through guaranteed actions by Facebook’s user base. Social Theater is also hosted on the Company’s platform. Typical guaranteed actions available to advertisers are video views, fan page growth, quizzes and surveys.  Social Theater revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured, and the service has been rendered. The Social Theater prices are both fixed and determinable based on the contract with the advertiser.  The user completes an action and the electronic record of the transaction triggers the revenue recognition. The collection of the Social Theater revenue is reasonably assured by contractual obligation and historical payment performance. The delivery of virtual currency from the hosting platform to a user evidences the completion of the action required by the customer that the service has been rendered for Social Theater revenue recognition.

Beanstock Media Inc.

On September 25, 2013, the Company entered into a Media Publisher Agreement with Beanstock Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Beanstock”) (the “Beanstock Agreement”). The Beanstock Agreement is effective from September 23, 2013 through December 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated.

Pursuant to the BeanstockAgreement, Beanstock has the exclusive right and obligation to fill all of the Company’s remnant desktop in-page display advertising inventory on www.meetme.com (the “Site”) excluding (i) any inventory sold to a third party under an insertion order that is campaign or advertiser specific, (ii) any inventory the Company reserves in existing and future agreements with third parties for barter transactions and as additional consideration as part of larger business development transactions, and (iii) any inventory reserved for premium advertising for the Site. The Company may also continue to place inventory outside of the Beanstock Agreement in direct sales.

Beanstock will pay for all advertising requests that the Company delivers, whether or not Beanstock fills the advertising request. For the United States, Beanstock will pay the Company specified CPM rates plus a percentage of revenue in excess of those rates; for the rest of the world, Beanstock will pay the Company 90% of its net ad revenue for the Site.

The Company may terminate the Beanstock Agreement at any time without charge or penalty by providing written notice to Beanstock. Either party may terminate the Beanstock Agreement if the other party is in material breach of its obligations and does not cure such breach, or if the other party files a petition for bankruptcy, becomes insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or a receiver is appointed for such party or its business. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized approximately $2,700,000 in revenue under the terms of the Beanstock Agreement.

Pinsight Media

On October 31, 2013, the Company entered into an Advertising Agreement with Pinsight Media+, Inc. (“Pinsight”), which was amended by the parties thereto on January 30, 2014 (the “Pinsight Agreement”). The Pinsight Agreement is effective from October 31, 2013 through December 31, 2014, unless earlier terminated. Under the Pinsight Agreement, Pinsight will pay for all ad requests that the Company delivers, whether or not Pinsight fills them. Pinsight will pay specified CPM rates depending on the type of advertising; provided, however, that if more than a stated percentage of all page views on the App originate outside of the United States, then Pinsight will remit to the Company a percentage of gross revenue relating to international advertising impressions in excess of such amount. The stated CPM rates for certain advertising are subject to renegotiation under certain conditions; in such case, if the parties do not agree on a modified rate, then such advertising will be excluded from the Pinsight Agreement.

Pursuant to the Pinsight Agreement, Pinsight has the right and obligation to fill all of the Company’s advertising inventory on its MeetMe mobile app for iOS and Android (the “App”). The Pinsight Agreement does not apply to other mobile apps or virtual currency features on the App, including without limitation offer wall features and the Company’s Social Theater business. The Pinsight Agreement contemplates that the Company will make certain specified changes to its existing ad logic on the App. If the Company wishes to increase the number, type, frequency or scope of impressions on the App (“Additional Inventory”), it must first notify Pinsight and upon Pinsight’s written consent, said Additional Inventory will become subject to the Pinsight Agreement.

 Pinsight will comply with the Company’s advertising editorial guidelines as in effect from time to time.

The Company may terminate the Pinsight Agreement upon written notice if (i) Pinsight fails to pay any undisputed amount in a timely fashion, or (ii) in the Company’s sole discretion, Pinsight’s software development kit and those of its performance partners and the placement and running of advertising on the App causes a diminution in the App user experience. Either party may terminate the Pinsight Agreement upon written notice (a) for the other party’s violation of confidentiality provisions, (b) if the other party files a petition for bankruptcy, becomes insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or a receiver is appointed for such other party or its business, or (c) for Cause. In the event of a termination for Cause, the terminating party will be entitled to liquidated damages. “Cause” means (i) the other party’s material breach if the breaching party does not cure said breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the non-breaching party within thirty days (or, if the breach cannot reasonably be cured within thirty days, does not commence a cure thereof to the reasonable satisfaction of the non-breaching party), (ii) the other party’s willful failure to perform under the Pinsight Agreement, including without limitation with respect to the payment for advertising, (iii) the other party communicates its intention (verbally or in writing) to discontinue performance hereunder (whether or not said party actually discontinues performance hereunder), unless, after inquiry by the first party, a Vice President (or his designee) of said other party affirms in writing within one business day that said party intends to continue performing hereunder, (iv) the other party attempts to terminate the Pinsight Agreement for convenience or for a reason not specifically set forth in the Pinsight Agreement, or (v) the other party ceases to do business or notifies the other party of its intention to cease doing business prior to the end of the term hereof. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized approximately $3,300,000 in revenue under the terms of the Pinsight Agreement.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments reflect the amounts that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).

The Company’s financial instruments not required to be adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Amounts recorded for subordinated notes payable, net of discount, and loans payable also approximate fair value because current interest rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities are substantially the same. Certain common stock warrants are carried at fair value as disclosed below. The Company has evaluated the estimated fair value of financial instruments using available market information and management's estimates. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a significant effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is the local currency. The financial statements of these subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average quarterly rates of exchange for revenues and expenses. Translation gains (losses) are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of stockholders’ equity. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are included in other income (expense).

Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company invests its excess cash in high-quality, liquid money market instruments maintained by major U.S. banks and financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses on its cash equivalents.

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. The Company has no history of significant losses from uncollectible accounts. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, two customers comprised approximately 63% and 40% of total revenues, respectively. Two customers comprised 60% and 32% of total accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

The Company does not expect its current or future credit risk exposures to have a significant impact on its operations. However, there can be no assurance that the Company’s business will not experience any adverse impact from credit risk in the future.

Product Development and Content Costs

Product development and content costs, including costs incurred in the classification and organization of listings within our websites, salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation, utility charges, occupancy and support for our offsite technology infrastructure, bandwidth and content delivery fees, and internet development and maintenance costs, are charged to expense as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of share-based payments are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, based on weighted average assumptions. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock. The Company has elected to use the simplified method described in the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14C to estimate the expected term of employee stock options. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments which are added to net loss to compute total comprehensive loss. Comprehensive loss includes all changes in stockholders’ equity during a period from non-owner sources.

Contingencies

The Company accrues for contingent obligations, including legal costs and restructuring costs, when the obligation is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. As facts concerning contingencies become known the Company will reassess its position and make appropriate adjustments to the consolidated financial statements. Estimates that are particularly sensitive to future changes include those related to tax, legal, and other regulatory matters that are subject to change as events evolve and additional information becomes available.

Recent Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2013-11 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The new guidance is effective for fiscal year and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013.  The adoption of ASU 2013-11 in fiscal 2014 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02 Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2013-02"). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component.  The ASU is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  The ASU was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.