SEC Filing | BuzzFeed Inc.

Three Months Ended March 31,

United States

International

View:

Download DOC

Download PDF

Download XLS

Download XBRL

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022


☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from to

Commission file number: 001-39877

BuzzFeed, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware		85-3022075
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
111 East 18^th Street New York, New York		10003
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(646) 589-8592

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share	BZFD	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share	BZFDW	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☐
Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes☐ No ☒

As of May 12, 2022, there were 116,688,959 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock outstanding, 12,293,614 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock outstanding and 6,478,031 shares of the registrant’s Class C common stock outstanding.

Table of Contents

BUZZFEED, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	5
Item 1	Financial Statements (unaudited)	5
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	7
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)	8
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	9
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	10
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	40
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	41
PART II	OTHER INFORMATION	42
Item 1	Legal Proceedings	42
Item 1A	Risk Factors	42
Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	43
Item 3	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	43
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	44
Item 5	Other Information	44
Item 6	Exhibits	44

SIGNATURES		45

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may include, for example, statements about:

●

anticipated trends, growth rates, and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we operate;

●

demand for products and services and changes in traffic;

●

changes in the business and competitive environment in which we operate;

●

developments and projections relating to our competitors and the digital media industry;

●

the impact of national and local economic and other conditions and developments in technology, each of which could influence the levels (rate and volume) of our advertising, the growth of our business and the implementation of our strategic initiatives;

●

poor quality broadband infrastructure in certain markets;

●

technological developments;

●

our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, officers, key employees or directors;

●

our business, operations and financial performance, including expectations with respect to our financial and business performance, including financial projections and business metrics and any underlying assumptions thereunder and future business plans and growth opportunities;

●

our future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash, including our ability to obtain additional capital in the future;

●

expectations regarding future acquisitions, partnerships or other relationships with third parties;

●

government regulation, including revised foreign content and ownership regulations;

●

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the actions we may take in the future in response thereto;

●

our ability to maintain the listing of our Class A common stock and warrants on Nasdaq; and

●

other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material

Table of Contents

respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains estimates and information concerning our industry, our business, and the market for our products and services, including our general expectations of our market position, market growth forecasts, our market opportunity, and size of the markets in which we participate, that are based on industry publications, surveys, and reports that have been prepared by independent third parties. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. Although we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications, surveys, and reports, we believe the publications, surveys, and reports are generally reliable, although such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and imprecision. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

Investors and others should note that we may announce material business and financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (https://investors.buzzfeed.com), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, webcasts, press releases, and conference calls. We use these mediums to communicate with investors and the general public about our company, our products and services, and other issues. It is possible that the information that we make available may be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information that we post on our investor relations website.

Table of Contents

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: Financial Statements (unaudited)

BUZZFEED, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)


	March 31,		December 31,
	2022
	(Unaudited)		2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	74,540	$	79,733
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,668 as at March 31, 2022 and $1,094 as at December 31, 2021)		98,092		142,909
Prepaid and other current assets		26,768		29,017
Total current assets		199,400		251,659
Property and equipment, net		23,065		23,052
Right-of-use assets		73,103		—
Capitalized software costs, net		17,902		16,554
Intangible assets, net		132,717		136,513
Goodwill		194,050		194,881
Prepaid and other assets		15,538		14,555
Total assets	$	655,775	$	637,214

Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	14,673	$	16,025
Accrued expenses		23,584		31,386
Deferred rent		—		4,894
Deferred revenue		3,142		1,676
Accrued compensation		26,935		37,434
Current lease liabilities		24,258		—
Other current liabilities		2,706		2,731
Total current liabilities		95,298		94,146
Deferred rent		—		12,504
Noncurrent lease liabilities		66,174		—
Debt		143,032		141,878
Derivative liability		6,450		4,875
Warrant liabilities		8,354		4,938
Other liabilities		1,956		3,992
Total liabilities		321,264		262,333

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable noncontrolling interest		2,458		2,294

Stockholders’ equity
Class A Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 700,000 shares authorized; 116,689 and 116,175 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		12		11
Class B Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000 shares authorized; 12,294 and 12,397 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		1		1
Class C Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; 6,478 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021		1		1
Additional paid-in capital		700,167		695,869
Accumulated deficit		(367,000)		(322,106)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,336)		(3,233)
Total BuzzFeed, Inc. stockholders’ equity		329,845		370,543
Noncontrolling interests		2,208		2,044
Total stockholders’ equity		332,053		372,587
Total liabilities and equity	$	655,775	$	637,214

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

BUZZFEED, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022		2021
Revenue	$	91,558	$	72,648
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization		60,818		42,123
Sales and marketing		17,803		11,378
General and administrative		32,562		23,702
Research and development		7,192		6,699
Depreciation and amortization		8,481		5,269
Total costs and expenses		126,856		89,171
Loss from operations		(35,298)		(16,523)
Other income, net		862		660
Interest expense, net		(4,789)		(278)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities		(3,416)		—
Change in fair value of derivative liability		(1,575)		—
Loss before income taxes		(44,216)		(16,141)
Income tax provision (benefit)		350		(4,816)
Net loss		(44,566)		(11,325)
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest		164		60
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		164		(18)
Net loss attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.	$	(44,894)	$	(11,367)

Net loss per Class A, Class B and Class C common share:
Basic	$	(0.33)	$	(0.75)
Diluted	$	(0.33)	$	(0.75)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		136,425		15,188
Diluted		136,425		15,188

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

BUZZFEED, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022		2021
Net loss	$	(44,566)	$	(11,325)
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(103)		(329)
Other comprehensive loss		(103)		(329)
Comprehensive loss		(44,669)		(11,654)
Comprehensive income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest		164		60
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		164		(18)
Comprehensive loss attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.	$	(44,997)	$	(11,696)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

BUZZFEED, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(Unaudited) (In thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
														Accumulated		Total
	Common Stock –			Common Stock –			Common Stock –			Additional				other		BuzzFeed, Inc.				Total
	Class A			Class B			Class C			paid-in		Accumulated		comprehensive		stockholders'		Noncontrolling		stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		capital		deficit		loss		equity		interests		equity
Balance at January 1, 2022	116,175	$	11	12,397	$	1	6,478	$	1	$	695,869	$	(322,106)	$	(3,233)	$	370,543	$	2,044	$	372,587
Net loss	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		(44,894)		—		(44,894)		164		(44,730)
Stock-based compensation	—		—	—		—	—		—		3,940		—		—		3,940		—		3,940
Issuance of common stock in connection with share-based plans	411		1	—		—	—		—		358		—		—		359		—		359
Other comprehensive loss	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		(103)		(103)		—		(103)
Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock	103		—	(103)		—	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Balance at March 31, 2022	116,689	$	12	12,294	$	1	6,478	$	1	$	700,167	$	(367,000)	$	(3,336)	$	329,845	$	2,208	$	332,053



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
														Accumulated		Total BuzzFeed,
	Common Stock –			Common Stock – Class			Common Stock – Class							other		Inc.				Total
	Class A			B			C			Additional		Accumulated		comprehensive		stockholders’		Noncontrolling		stockholders’
	Shares		Amount	Shares		Amount	Shares		Amount	paid-in capital		deficit		loss		(deficit) equity		interests		(deficit) equity
Balance at January 1, 2021	1,540	$	—	10,439	$	1	—	$	—	$	36,373	$	(346,818)	$	(3,359)	$	(313,803)	$	—	$	(313,803)
Net loss	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		(11,367)		—		(11,367)		(18)		(11,385)
Issuance of common stock	—		—	—		—	3,839		1		34,999		—		—		35,000		—		35,000
HuffPost Acquisition	—		—	—		—	2,639		—		24,064		—		—		24,064		2,122		26,186
Stock-based compensation	—		—	—		—	—		—		138		—		—		138		—		138
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options	6		—	49		—	—		—		142		—		—		142		—		142
Other comprehensive loss	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		(329)		(329)		—		(329)
Balance at March 31, 2021	1,546	$	—	10,488	$	1	6,478	$	1	$	95,716	$	(358,185)	$	(3,688)	$	(266,155)	$	2,104	$	(264,051)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

BUZZFEED, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022		2021
Operating activities:
Net loss	$	(44,566)	$	(11,325)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		8,481		5,269
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign currency		142		(180)
Stock based compensation		3,940		138
Change in fair value of warrants		3,416		—
Change in fair value of derivative liability		1,575		—
Amortization of debt discount and deferred issuance costs		1,154		—
Deferred income tax		507		(4,318)
Provision for doubtful accounts		574		(515)
Unrealized gain on investment		(1,260)		—
Non-cash lease expense		4,690		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		44,227		37,076
Prepaid expenses and other current assets and prepaid expenses and other assets		2,864		(9,073)
Accounts payable		(5,741)		(2,004)
Deferred rent		—		(2,498)
Accrued compensation		(10,117)		(1,083)
Accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other liabilities		(4,688)		(1,685)
Lease liabilities		(5,517)		—
Deferred revenue		1,461		(284)
Cash provided by operating activities		1,142		9,518

Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(2,369)		(907)
Capitalization of internal-use software		(3,553)		(1,335)
Cash from acquired business, net		—		5,200
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(5,922)		2,958

Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		—		35,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		358		142
Deferred reverse recapitalization costs		(585)		—
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(227)		35,142
Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents		(186)		(534)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(5,193)		47,084
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		79,733		106,126
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	74,540	$	153,210

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

BUZZFEED, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited) (Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

1. Description of the Business

BuzzFeed, Inc. (referred to herein, collectively with its subsidiaries, as “BuzzFeed” or the “Company”) is a global media company with social, content-driven publishing technology. BuzzFeed provides breaking news, original reporting, entertainment, and video across its owned and operated brands and the social web to its global audience. BuzzFeed derives its revenue primarily from content, advertising and commerce sold to leading brands. The Company has one reportable segment.

On December 3, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated the previously announced business combinations in connection with (i) that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 24, 2021 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“890”), Bolt Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of 890 (“Merger Sub I”), Bolt Merger Sub II, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of 890 (“Merger Sub II”), and BuzzFeed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Legacy BuzzFeed”), pursuant to which (a) Merger Sub I merged with and into Legacy BuzzFeed (the “First Merger”), with Legacy BuzzFeed surviving the First Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of 890 and (b) immediately following the First Merger, Legacy BuzzFeed merged with and into Merger Sub II (the “Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Two-Step Merger”), with Merger Sub II surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of 890; and (ii) the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2021 (as amended, the “C Acquisition Purchase Agreement”), by and among Legacy BuzzFeed, CM Partners, LLC, Complex Media, Inc., Verizon CMP Holdings LLC and HDS II, Inc., pursuant to which the surviving entity acquired 100% of the membership interests of CM Partners, LLC. CM Partners, LLC, together with Complex Media, Inc., is referred to herein as “Complex Networks.” The Two-Step Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the acquisition by the surviving entity of Complex Networks, are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination.” In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, 890 was renamed “BuzzFeed, Inc.”

Liquidity

As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $74.5 million and positive operating cash inflows. However, the Company has a history of losses, and had an accumulated deficit of $367.0 million as of March 31, 2022. The Company has cash available on hand and management believes its existing capital resources will be sufficient to support the Company’s operations and meet its obligations as they become due within one year from the date these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Business Combination

On the Closing Date: (i) each issued and outstanding share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “890 Class A common stock”), and Class F common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “890 Class F common stock”), of 890 became one share of BuzzFeed Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “BuzzFeed Class A common stock”); (ii) each issued and outstanding whole warrant to purchase shares of 890 Class A common stock became a warrant to acquire one share of BuzzFeed Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (each a “BuzzFeed warrant”); and (iii) each issued and outstanding unit of 890 that had not been previously separated into the underlying share of 890 Class A common stock and the underlying warrants of 890 upon the request of the holder thereof was cancelled and entitled the holder thereof to one share of BuzzFeed Class A common stock and one-third of one BuzzFeed warrant.

In addition, on the Closing Date (i) each share of Legacy BuzzFeed Class A common stock and Legacy BuzzFeed preferred stock (other than Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock, any cancelled shares or dissenting shares) issued and outstanding was cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive 0.306 shares of BuzzFeed Class A Common Stock; (ii) all of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock issued and outstanding were cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive 30,880,000 shares of BuzzFeed Class A Common Stock; (iii) each share of Class B Common Stock of Legacy BuzzFeed issued and outstanding (other than any cancelled shares or dissenting shares) was cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive 0.306 shares of BuzzFeed Class B Common Stock; and (iv) each share of Class C Common Stock of Legacy BuzzFeed issued and outstanding was cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive 0.306 shares of BuzzFeed Class C Common Stock, in each case in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement. As a result, shares of BuzzFeed capital stock no longer represent an ownership interest in Legacy BuzzFeed, but instead represent an ownership interest in BuzzFeed.

Table of Contents

In addition, pursuant to subscription agreements entered into in connection with the Merger Agreement, the Company issued, and certain investors purchased, $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Notes”).

Holders of 27,133,519 shares of 890 Class A common stock sold in 890’s initial public offering (the “Public Shares”) properly exercised their right to have their public shares redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from 890’s initial public offering, calculated as of two business days prior to the Closing, which was approximately $10.00 per share, or $271.3 million in the aggregate. Approximately $16.2 million remained in 890’s trust account and was used to partially fund the Business Combination.

The following table summarizes the proceeds raised and issuance costs incurred related to the Business Combination. The total net proceeds from the reverse recapitalization were paid in December 2021, except for $0.6 million which was paid in the first quarter of 2022.


Cash from reverse recapitalization	$	16,167
890 reverse recapitalization costs		(13,795)
BuzzFeed reverse recapitalization costs		(14,609)
Net proceeds from reverse recapitalization	$	(12,237)

Proceeds from Notes	$	150,000
Issuance costs		(6,757)
Issuance costs settled in stock		563
Proceeds from issuance of Notes, net of issuance costs	$	143,806

After giving effect to the Business Combination (including the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of BuzzFeed Class A common stock pursuant to the C Acquisition Purchase Agreement), the redemption of Public Shares as described above and the separation of the former 890 units, as of the Closing Date, there were 110,789,875 shares of BuzzFeed Class A common stock issued and outstanding, 15,872,459 shares of BuzzFeed Class B common stock issued and outstanding and 6,478,031 shares of BuzzFeed Class C common stock issued and outstanding.

The Two-Step Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded (the “Reverse Recapitalization”). Under this method of accounting, 890 was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Reverse Recapitalization was treated as the equivalent of Legacy BuzzFeed issuing stock for the net assets of 890, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of 890 were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Reverse Recapitalization are those of Legacy BuzzFeed.

The determination of Legacy BuzzFeed being the accounting acquirer for the Two-Step Merger was primarily based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances: (i) Legacy BuzzFeed’s existing stockholders own the majority of the shares and have the majority of the voting interests in BuzzFeed with more than 97% of the voting interests; (ii) Legacy BuzzFeed appointed the majority of the directors on BuzzFeed’s Board; (iii) Legacy BuzzFeed’s existing management comprises the majority of the management of BuzzFeed; (iv) Legacy BuzzFeed is the larger entity based on historical revenues and business operations and comprises the majority of the ongoing operations of BuzzFeed; and (v) Legacy BuzzFeed assumed BuzzFeed’s name.

In accordance with guidance applicable to these circumstances, the equity structure has been recast in all comparative periods up to the Closing Date to reflect the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issued to Legacy BuzzFeed’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. As such, the shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share related to Legacy BuzzFeed redeemable convertible preferred stock (other than Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock) and Legacy BuzzFeed common stock prior to the Business Combination have been retroactively recast as shares reflecting the Exchange Ratio of 0.306 established in the Business Combination. Shares of Legacy BuzzFeed Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock have been retroactively restated based on the exchange into 30,880,000 shares of BuzzFeed Class A common stock established in the Business Combination.

BuzzFeed Class A common stock and warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbols “BZFD” and “BZFDW,” respectively, on December 6, 2021.

Table of Contents

COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the viral strain of COVID-19 a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. The spread of COVID-19 and the resulting economic contraction has resulted in increased business uncertainty and significantly impacted our business and results of operations.

We believe that the COVID-19 pandemic drove a shift in commerce from offline to online, including an increase in online shopping, which we believe contributed to the rapid growth we experienced in our commerce revenue for fiscal 2020. However, the growth of our commerce revenue has decelerated during 2021 and continuing in the first quarter of 2022 as shelter-in-place orders were lifted, consumers returned to shopping in stores, and retailers struggled with supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.

The continued duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain, rapidly changing, and difficult to predict. The degree to which COVID-19-related disruptions impact the Company’s future results will depend on future developments, which are outside of the Company’s control, including, but not limited to, the duration of the pandemic, its severity, the success of actions taken to contain or prevent the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Our growth rate may continue to be impacted by additional macroeconomic factors beyond our control, such as inflation, retail businesses reopening, increased consumer spending on travel and other discretionary items, and the absence of new U.S. and other government economic stimulus programs, among other things.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Financial Statements and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. As such, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and these related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year ended December 31, 2022.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BuzzFeed, Inc., and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and any variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain prior year figures have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported results of operations during the reporting period. Due to the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process actual results could differ from those estimates.

Key estimates and assumptions relate primarily to revenue recognition, fair values of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, fair value of the derivative liability, fair values used for stock-based compensation in periods prior to the Business Combination, useful lives of fixed assets, and capitalized software costs.

Table of Contents

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

The Company, an emerging growth company, or EGC, has elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period provided for in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards which allows the Company to defer adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in Leases (Topic 840) and generally requires leased assets and lease liabilities to be recognized on the balance sheet. On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 using the modified retrospective method. Prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with historical accounting under ASC 840. The Company elected to use the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance. Accordingly, the Company did not reassess (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) any initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company elected to use the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of assets. Additionally, the Company elected not to record on the balance sheet leases with a term of twelve months or less. Upon adoption, the Company recorded right of use assets of $77.8 million and lease liabilities of $96.0 million. The adoption of ASC 842 did not result in a material impact to the condensed consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. See Note 15 for more information about the adoption of ASC 842 and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Internal-Use Software (“ASU 2018-15”). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance was effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 prospectively for the Company’s annual reporting period effective January 1, 2021 and for interim reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2022. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No.2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). ASU 2021-08 requires an acquirer to account for revenue contracts acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606, as if it had originated the contracts. Prior to ASU 2021-08, an acquirer generally recognized assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts with customers and other similar contracts, at fair value on the acquisition date. As permitted by the ASU, the Company elected to early adopt the amendments in the fourth quarter of 2021 and retrospectively applied ASU 2021-08 to its acquisitions that occurred in 2021. The adoption of ASU 2021-08 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”). The ASU eliminates two of the three models in ASC 470-20 that require separating embedded conversion features from convertible instruments. As a result, only conversion features accounted for under the substantial premium model in ASC 470-20 and those that require bifurcation in accordance with ASC 815-15 will be accounted for separately. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, the new guidance eliminates some of the requirements in ASC 815-40 for equity classification. The guidance also addresses how convertible instruments are accounted for in the diluted earnings per share (EPS) calculation and requires enhanced disclosures about the terms of convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within the same fiscal year. The ASU allows entities to use a modified or full retrospective transition method. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2020-06 effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the amended guidance in ASU 2019-02, Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials, which aligns the accounting for capitalizing production costs of episodic television series with the guidance for films. As a result, the capitalization of costs incurred to produce episodic television series is no longer limited to the amount of revenue contracted in the initial market until persuasive evidence of a secondary market exists. In addition, under this guidance we test our film costs for impairment on a title-by-title basis or together with other films and series as part of a group, based on the predominant monetization strategy of the film or series. Further, for film costs monetized in a film group, the guidance requires any change to the estimated life of the film or television series to be accounted for prospectively. The guidance eliminates existing balance sheet classification guidance and adds new disclosure requirements relating to costs for acquired and

Table of Contents

produced films and television series. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets, including accounts receivable, and replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. The guidance is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the timing and impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The amendments also improve consistent application and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The guidance is effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the timing and impact of adopting the new guidance on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

3. Acquisitions and Dispositions

C Acquisition

On December 3, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the members’ interests of Complex Networks, a publisher of online media content targeting Millennial and Gen Z consumers (the “C Acquisition”).

The following table summarizes the fair value of consideration exchanged as a result of the C Acquisition:


Cash consideration⁽¹⁾	$	197,966
Share consideration⁽²⁾		96,200
Total consideration	$	294,166

(1) — Includes the cash purchase price of $200.0 million adjusted for certain closing specified liabilities as specified in the C Acquisition Purchase Agreement.

(2) — Represents 10,000,000 shares of BuzzFeed Class A common stock at a price of $9.62 per share, which is based on the Company’s closing stock price for Class A common stock on the Closing Date.

The following table summarizes the preliminary determination of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the C Acquisition. The purchase price allocation for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed may be subject to change as additional information is obtained during the acquisition measurement period. As the Company continues to finalize the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, purchase price adjustments have been recorded and additional purchase price adjustments may

Table of Contents

be recorded during the measurement period. The Company reflects measurement period adjustments in the period in which the adjustments occur.


			Measurement
			Period
	Preliminary		Adjustments	Updated Preliminary
Cash	$	2,881	—	$	2,881
Accounts receivable		22,581	11		22,592
Prepaid and other current assets		17,827	—		17,827
Property and equipment		332	(15)		317
Intangible assets		119,100	—		119,100
Goodwill		189,391	(831)		188,560
Accounts payable		(2,661)	—		(2,661)
Accrued expenses		(12,319)	486		(11,833)
Accrued compensation		(12,867)	349		(12,518)
Deferred revenue		(5,855)	—		(5,855)
Deferred tax liabilities		(22,776)	—		(22,776)
Other liabilities		(1,468)	—		(1,468)
Total consideration for Complex Networks	$	294,166	—	$	294,166

The table below indicates the estimated fair value of each of the identifiable intangible assets:


		Weighted Average
	Asset Fair Value	Useful Life (Years)
Trademarks & tradenames	97,000	15
Customer relationships	17,000	4
Developed technology	5,100	3

The fair values of the intangible assets were estimated using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of trademarks and trade names was determined using the relief from royalty method, the fair value of customer relationships was determined using the multi-period excess earnings approach, and the fair value of acquired technology was determined using the replacement cost approach. The excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired resulted in $188.6 million of goodwill, which is primarily attributed to workforce and synergies, and is not deductible for tax purposes.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma information has been presented as if the C Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2020. The information is based on the historical results of operations of Complex Networks, adjusted for:

The allocation of purchase price and related adjustments, including adjustments to amortization expense related to the fair value of intangible assets acquired;

Impacts of issuance of the Notes to partially fund the acquisition, including interest;

The movement and allocation of all acquisition-related costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2021 to the three months ended March 31, 2020;

Associated tax-related impacts of adjustments; and

Changes to align accounting policies.

The pro forma results do not necessarily represent what would have occurred if the C Acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2020, nor do they represent the results that may occur in the future. The pro forma adjustments were based on available information and

Table of Contents

upon assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable to reflect the impact of this acquisition on the Company’s historical financial information on a supplemental pro forma basis. The following table presents the Company’s pro forma combined revenue and net loss.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021
Revenue	$	92,662
Net loss		(18,443)

Acquisition of HuffPost and Verizon Investment

On February 16, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. (“HuffPost”) (the “HuffPost Acquisition”), a publisher of online news and media content, from entities controlled by Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon”). The Company issued 6,478,032 shares of non-voting BuzzFeed Class C common stock to an entity controlled by Verizon, of which 2,639,322 were in exchange for the acquisition of HuffPost and 3,838,710 were in exchange for a concurrent $35.0 million cash investment in the Company by Verizon, which was accounted for as a separate transaction.

The following table summarizes the fair value of consideration exchanged as a result of the HuffPost Acquisition:


Fair value of common stock issued⁽¹⁾	$	24,064
Working capital adjustments		(490)
Total consideration	$	23,574

(1) – Represents 8,625,234 shares of Legacy BuzzFeed common stock issued at a value of $2.79 per share. The fair value per share was determined using Level 3 inputs using a combination of a market approach based on guideline public companies and an income approach based on estimated discounted cash flows.

The following table summarizes the determination of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the HuffPost Acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company finalized the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Measurement period adjustments were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is the period in which the adjustments occurred. The adjustments resulted from deferred income tax adjustments.


			Measurement
			Period
	Preliminary		Adjustments		Final
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,513	$	—	$	5,513
Accounts receivable		3,383		—		3,383
Prepaid and other current assets		611		—		611
Deferred tax assets		116		15		131
Property and equipment		620		—		620
Intangible assets		19,500		—		19,500
Goodwill		5,927		(437)		5,490
Accounts payable		(1,410)		—		(1,410)
Accrued expenses		(4,249)		—		(4,249)
Deferred tax liabilities		(4,251)		422		(3,829)
Other liabilities		(63)		—		(63)
Noncontrolling interests		(2,123)		—		(2,123)
Total consideration for HuffPost	$	23,574	$	—	$	23,574

The fair values of the intangible assets were estimated using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of trademarks and trade names was determined using the relief from royalty method and the fair value of acquired technology was determined using the replacement cost approach. The useful lives of the acquired trademarks and trade names and acquired technology are 15 years and three years, respectively. The excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired resulted in $5.5 million of goodwill, which is primarily attributed to workforce and synergies, and is not deductible for tax purposes.

The HuffPost Acquisition did not have a material impact on the Company’s revenue or net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Table of Contents

4. Revenue Recognition

Disaggregated Revenue

The table below presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated based on the nature of its arrangements. Management uses these categories of revenue to evaluate the performance of its businesses and to assess its financial results and forecasts.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022		2021
Advertising	$	48,668	$	38,649
Content		32,279		19,537
Commerce and other		10,611		14,462
Total	$	91,558	$	72,648

The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by geography: