ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]

Acquired Intangible Assets, Net

ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had an indefinite-lived acquired intangible asset of $31.8 million and $39.0 million, respectively, related to the Dice trademark and brand name. The impairment test performed as of October 1, 2019 resulted in the fair value of the Dice trademarks and brand name exceeding the carrying value by 26%. During the first quarter of 2020, because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on future earnings and cash flows for the Dice trademarks and brand name, the Company performed an interim impairment analysis. As a result of the analysis, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7.2 million. No impairment was recorded during the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

Considering the recognition of the Dice brand, its long history, awareness in the talent acquisition and staffing services market, and the intended use, the remaining useful life of the Dice.com trademarks and brand name was determined to be indefinite. We determine whether the carrying value of recorded indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets is impaired on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. The impairment review process compares the fair value of the indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recorded.

Revenue attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name declined 3% during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations for Dice revenue growth have been delayed. Revenues related to the Dice trademarks and brand name are expected to decline for the year ending December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 and then increasing to rates approximating industry growth projections. The Company’s ability to achieve these revenue projections may be impacted by, among other things, uncertainty related to COVID-19, competition in the technology recruiting market, challenges in developing and introducing new products and product enhancements to the market and the Company’s ability to attribute value delivered to customers. Cash flows attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name are projected to decline for the year ending December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the lower revenue, but partially offset by reductions to operating expenses. Operating expenses are projected to decline for the year ending December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, including a small operating margin reduction, and then increase at levels that allow for modest operating margin improvements. If future cash flows attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name are not achieved, the Company could realize an impairment in a future period. The Company utilized a relief from royalty rate method to value the Dice trademarks and brand name using a royalty rate of 5.0% based on comparable industry studies and a discount rate of 17.5% compared to a royalty rate of 6.0% and a discount rate of 14.2% at October 1, 2019.

The determination of whether or not indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets have become impaired involves a significant level of judgment in the assumptions underlying the approach used to determine the value of the indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets. Fair values are determined using a profit allocation methodology which estimates the value of the trademark and brand name by capitalizing the profits saved because the company owns the asset. We consider factors such as historical performance, anticipated market conditions, operating expense trends and capital expenditure requirements. Changes in our strategy, uncertainty related to COVID-19, and/or changes in market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to recorded amounts of intangible assets. If projections are not achieved, the Company could realize an impairment in the foreseeable future.