Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company manages its business through three reportable segments: Research, Consulting and Events. Research consists primarily of subscription-based research products, access to research inquiry, peer networking services, and membership programs. Consulting consists primarily of consulting, measurement engagements, and strategic advisory services. Events consists of various symposia, conferences, and exhibitions.

The Company evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution, as presented in the table below, is defined as operating income excluding certain Cost of services and product development expenses, Selling, general and administrative expense, depreciation, amortization of intangibles, and acquisition and integration charges. Certain bonus and fringe benefit costs included in consolidated Cost of services and product development are not allocated to segment expense. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used by the Company. There are no intersegment revenues.

The Company does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by reportable segment. Accordingly, assets are not reported by segment because the information is not available by segment and is not reviewed in the evaluation of segment performance or in making decisions in the allocation of resources.

The following tables present information about the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	316,518	$	70,149	$	24,038	$	410,705
Gross contribution	220,329		21,114		7,095		248,538
Corporate and other expenses							(189,795		)
Operating income							$	58,743

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	284,048	$	71,731	$	18,627	$	374,406
Gross contribution	193,540		24,380		4,511		222,431
Corporate and other expenses							(172,663		)
Operating income							$	49,768

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	938,082	$	228,710	$	96,714	$	1,263,506
Gross contribution	648,954		76,836		37,318		763,108
Corporate and other expenses							(576,373		)
Operating income							$	186,735

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	836,970	$	222,970	$	81,119	$	1,141,059
Gross contribution	571,547		79,886		32,867		684,300
Corporate and other expenses							(518,254		)
Operating income							$	166,046

The following table provides a reconciliation of total segment gross contribution to net income for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013		2012
Total segment gross contribution	$	248,538		$	222,431		$	763,108	$	684,300
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services and product development - unallocated (1)	(432		)	(832		)	2,978		2,094
Selling, general and administrative	181,546			164,888			547,653		492,627
Depreciation and amortization	8,609			7,663			25,464		21,407
Acquisition and integration charges	72			944			278		2,126
Operating income	58,743			49,768			186,735		166,046
Interest expense and other	2,119			2,957			6,768		8,359
Provision for income taxes	18,430			15,436			58,584		50,607
Net income	$	38,194		$	31,375		$	121,383	$	107,080

(1) The unallocated amounts consist of certain bonus and related fringe costs recorded in Consolidated cost of services and product development expense that are not allocated to segment expense. The Company's policy is to only allocate bonus and related fringe charges to segments for up to 100% of the segment employee's target bonus. Amounts above 100% are absorbed by corporate.