ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure

ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

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.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had an indefinite-lived acquired intangible asset of $23.8 million and $39.0 million, respectively, related to the Dice trademarks and brand name. During the first quarter of 2020, because of the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on future earnings and cash flows that are attributable to 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 during the first quarter of 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continued and the Company's projected earnings and cash flows that are attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name declined as compared to the projections used in the March 31, 2020 analysis. As a result, the Company performed an interim impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020, which resulted in the Company recording an additional impairment charge of $8.0 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2020. No impairment was recorded during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019.

The projections utilized in the March 31 and September 30, 2020 analyses included a decline in revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that are attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name for the year ending December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The September 30, 2020 analysis included a further decline in revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that are attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name for the year ending December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 and then increasing to rates approximating industry growth projections, although peaking at rates slightly lower than in the March 31, 2020 analysis. 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 that are 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, excluding impairments, utilized in the March 31 and September 30, 2020 analyses are projected to decline for the year ending December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, including a reduction in operating margin. The March 31, 2020 analysis included modest operating margin improvements during the year ending December 31, 2021 and beyond while the September 30, 2020 analysis included a small reduction in operating margin during the year ending December 31, 2021 and then increasing modestly. If future cash flows that are attributable to the Dice trademarks and brand name are not achieved, the Company could realize an impairment in a future period. In the March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 analyses, the Company utilized a relief from royalty rate method to value the Dice trademarks and brand name using a royalty rate of 5.0% and 4.0%, respectively, based on comparable industry studies and a discount rate of 17.5% and 15.5%, respectively. The decline in the royalty rate is due to revenue declines and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in the discount rate is primarily due to the lower projections, as compared to the March 31, 2020 analysis.

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.