Cision Reports First Quarter 2019 Results; Provides Updated Full Year 2019 Outlook

CHICAGO,May 10,2019 --Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN),a leading global provider of software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals,today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31,2019.

Financial Highlights

First Quarter 2019

Revenue increased 3.6% to $185.8 million

Revenue,excluding the impact of purchase accounting,increased 4.8% to $188.9 million

Operating income decreased 40.7% to $7.2 million

Net income was $11.6 million versus a prior year net loss of $0.4 million

Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.4% to $63.1 million

Adjusted net income increased 16.9% to $27.0 million

Adjusted net income per share was $0.19

"We are pleased to have delivered strong financial results for the first quarter of 2019,including record organic constant currency revenue growth of 4.9% versus the prior year,with solid growth in both the core business and in each of Falcon and TrendKite," said Kevin Akeroyd,Cision's Chief Executive Officer. "We have dramatically improved the value proposition we bring to our public relations and marketing communications customers,and these new offerings will feature prominently in our plans to further extend our industry leadership position. Over the coming quarters,our priorities will be on completing our outstanding integration work,while driving towards our long-term financial goals and objectives."

First Quarter Business Statistics and Operational Highlights

Americas revenues increased 3.8% to $126.4 million

EMEA revenues increased 2.1% to $51.6 million

APAC revenues increased 11.8% to $7.8 million

Non-core revenues declined 53.6% to $0.6 million

Average pro forma subscription customers increased 5.5% to approximately 45,300

Average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer,excluding the impact of currency,increased 0.7% to approximately $11,600

Customers that purchased services from us on a transaction basis decreased 6.4% to approximately 37,700

Average quarterly pro forma revenue per customer that purchased services from us on a transaction basis,increased 4.7% to approximately $1,440

Cross-sell bookings of software,distribution and insights in the US increased 8.4% to $3.0 million

Subscription and Transaction Customer Trends

All of the figures below include our acquisitions of Falcon.io ("Falcon")and TrendKite,Inc. ("TrendKite")and exclude the divestiture of our email marketing business for all periods shown and have been further adjusted to exclude the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency.

Q1 2018

Q2 2018

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q1 2019 compared to Q1 2018

Average pro forma subscription customers

42,884

44,025

44,499

45,333

45,243

5.5%

Average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer

$ 11,475

$ 11,579

$ 11,731

$ 11,612

$ 11,552

0.7%

Pro forma transaction customers

40,216

41,172

38,152

39,173

37,662

(6.4%)

Average pro forma revenue per transaction

$ 1,375

$ 1,447

$ 1,350

$ 1,518

$ 1,439

4.7%

Updated Full Year 2019 Outlook and Initial Second Quarter 2019 Outlook

Our updated outlook for the full fiscal year ending December 31,2019 appears below (all figures in millions,except share and per share amounts). Additionally,due to our acquisitions of Falcon and TrendKite and the divestiture of our email marketing assets that were all completed in the first quarter of 2019,we have provided an initial outlook for our second quarter ending June 30,2019. These estimates are based on a number of assumptions that management believes to be reasonable and reflect our expectations as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates as a result of various factors,and Cision refers you to the cautionary language regarding "Forward Looking Statements" included in this press release when considering this information.

Updated 2019

Prior 2019

Initial Q2 2019

Q2 2018

Revenue

$773 - $783

$775 - $785

$190 - $192

$187.5

Revenue,excluding the impact from purchase accounting

$782 - $792

$782 - $792

$193 - $195

$187.8

Net income (loss)

$10 - $20

($1) - $4

($1) - $1

($6.6)

Net income (loss) per share

$0.07 - $0.14

($0.01) - $0.02

($0.01) - $0.01

($0.05)

Adjusted EBITDA

$270 - $275

$270 - $275

$65 - $67

$66.1

Adjusted net income

$122 - $125

$122 - $125

$28 - $30

$29.3

Adjusted net income per diluted share

$0.82 - $0.85

$0.82 - $0.85

$0.20 - $0.21

$0.23

Pro-forma fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding

148.0

148.0

148.0

127.4

Depreciation expense

$29 - $32

$30 - $33

$7 - $8

$7.4

Amortization expense

$95 - $100

$105 - $110

$23 - $25

$26.2

Amortization expense included in cost of revenue

$20 - $23

$24 - $26

$5 - $6

$5.9

Interest expense,including debt extinguishment costs

$73 - $77

$76 - $79

$18 - $19

$20.5

Cash interest expense

$65 - $67

$64 - $66

$16 - $17

$16.3

Stock-based compensation

$9 - $10

$7 - $10

$2 - $3

$0.9

Capital expenditures,inclusive of capitalized software development

$40 - $43

$38 - $42

$9 - $10

$6.3

The above outlook assumes the inclusion of results from our acquisitions from the date of their respective acquisitions through the quarter ended June 30,2019 and year ended December 31,2019,and the inclusion of results from our e-mail marketing assets from January 1,2019 through the date of its divestiture. The updated outlook above assumes LIBOR of approximately 2.6%,EURIBOR of approximately 0%,and the following exchange rates with respect to the British Pound,the Euro and the Canadian Dollar for fiscal year 2019:

Current

Prior

GBP to USD

1.29

1.29

EUR to USD

1.12

1.14

CAD to USD

0.74

0.76

A number of foreign currencies,including the Euro,the Canadian Dollar and the Swedish Kroner,have recently weakened against the US dollar. The negative impact of these changes in foreign exchange rates to our updated full year 2019 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA outlook since issuing our prior full year 2019 outlook is approximately $2.0 million and $1.0 million,respectively. We left both our full year 2019 revenue outlook,excluding the impact from purchase accounting and our full year 2019 Adjusted EBTDA outlook unchanged despite this anticipated currency headwind. Additionally,our outlook for 2019 excludes any additional acquisitions,divestitures,or other unanticipated events. See our discussion of non-GAAP financial measures included in this release.

Conference Call and Webcast

As previously announced,we will hold a conference call and webcast to review our first quarter 2019 financial results on Thursday,May 9,2019 at 5:00 pm EDT. To hear the live event,visit the Cision investor website at http://investors.cision.com,or by dialing 1-877-443-4809 (participant dial in toll free) or 1-412-317-5235 (participant dial in International). For those accessing the call via Cision's investor website,we suggest logging in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the live event. For those dialing in,participants should ask to be joined into the Cision Ltd. earnings call. A replay of the earnings webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event on May 9,2019. To access the webcast recording / conference replay,visit http://investors.cision.com or you can dial 1-877-344-7529 (US),1-412-317-0088 (International),or 1-855-669-9658 (Canada). The replay access code for the earnings call is 10131339. The replay will be available through May 23,2019.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,including statements regarding our future financial and operating performance outlook for the fiscal year ending December 31,as well as information relating to the acquisitions of Falcon.io and TrendKite and our divestiture of certain e-mail marketing assets and our realization of the expected benefits therefrom. In this context,forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition,and often contain words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "aim," "strive," "believe," "see," "project," "predict," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "might," "should," "will," "would," "target," similar expressions,and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead,they are based only on our current beliefs,expectations,and assumptions regarding the future of our business,future plans and strategies,projections,anticipated events and trends,the economy,and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future,they are subject to inherent uncertainties,risks,and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly,you should not place undue reliance on these statements,as actual results may vary materially. A detailed discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from the forward-looking statements is described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 1,along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date of this report. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements,whether as a result of new information,future developments or otherwise,should circumstances change,except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Please consult our public filings at www.sec.gov or www.Cision.com.

About Cision

Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN) is a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals. Cision's software allows users to identify key influencers,craft and distribute strategic content,and measure meaningful impact. Cision has over 4,500 employees with offices in 22 countries throughout the Americas,EMEA,and APAC. For more information about its award-winning products and services,including the Cision Communications Cloud®,visit www.cision.com and follow Cision on Twitter @Cision.

Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands,except per share and share amounts)

(Unaudited)

March 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 82,913

$ 104,769

Accounts receivable,net

140,024

120,882

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

32,311

22,824

Total current assets

255,248

248,475

Property and equipment,net

60,496

57,210

Other intangible assets,net

427,393

377,146

Goodwill

1,426,470

1,171,859

Operating lease right-of-use assets

65,737

-

Deferred tax asset

4,101

4,034

Other assets

8,762

7,652

Total assets

$ 2,248,207

$ 1,866,376

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Current portion of long-term debt

$ 13,953

$ 13,210

Accounts payable

15,265

15,603

Accrued compensation and benefits

37,745

29,323

Operating lease liabilities

14,626

-

Other accrued expenses

80,936

82,507

Current portion of deferred revenue

170,588

139,725

Total current liabilities

333,113

280,368

Long-term debt,net of current portion

1,271,218

1,205,760

Deferred revenue,130

1,098

Operating lease liabilities,net of current portion

66,206

-

Deferred tax liability

74,407

69,232

Other liabilities

10,738

21,601

Total liabilities

1,756,812

1,578,059

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock,$0.0001 par value,20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31,2019 and December 31,2018

-

-

Common stock,480,000 shares authorized; 148,328,727 and 132,716,541 shares issued and outstanding at March 31,2018,respectively

15

13

Additional paid-in capital

981,813

797,222

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(62,090)

(68,941)

Accumulated deficit

(428,343)

(439,977)

Total stockholders' equity

491,395

288,317

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 2,376

Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands,except for per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31,

2019

2018

Revenue

$ 185,804

$ 179,293

Cost of revenue

66,053

64,278

Gross Profit

119,751

115,015

Operating costs and expenses:

Sales and marketing

33,233

29,708

Research and development

8,543

6,700

General and administrative

51,965

46,222

Amortization of intangible assets

18,811

20,250

Total operating costs and expenses

112,552

102,880

Operating income

7,199

12,135

Non operating income (expense):

Foreign exchange gains (losses)

3,082

(7,883)

Interest and other income (loss),net

317

(256)

Gain on sale of business

28,144

-

Interest expense

(19,273)

(19,688)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(355)

(2,432)

Total non operating income (loss)

11,915

(30,259)

Income (loss) before income taxes

19,114

(18,124)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

7,480

(17,682)

Net income (loss)

11,634

(442)

Other comprehensive income-foreign currency translation adjustments

6,851

7,075

Comprehensive income

$ 18,485

$ 6,633

Net income (loss) per share:

Basic

$ 0.08

$ (0.00)

Diluted

$ 0.08

$ (0.00)

Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts:

Basic

145,413,574

123,946,264

Diluted

146,356,683

123,264

Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31,

2019

2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income (loss)

$ 11,634

$ (442)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

31,021

33,277

Non-cash interest charges and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

2,780

3,198

Equity-based compensation expense

2,081

1,341

Provision for doubtful accounts

267

1,572

Deferred income taxes

35

(18,791)

Unrealized currency translation (gains) losses

(3,008)

7,864

Gain on sale of business

(28,144)

-

Payment of contingent consideration

(4,296)

-

Other

-

60

Changes in operating assets and liabilities,net of effects of acquisitions and disposal:

Accounts receivable

(6,171)

(6,812)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(2,779)

(2,950)

Operating lease right-of-use assets

4,384

-

Other assets

(442)

48

Accounts payable

(2,701)

(443)

Accrued compensation and benefits

5,098

(17)

Other accrued expenses

(843)

(3,330)

Deferred revenue

18,420

20,853

Operating lease liabilities

(2,144)

-

Other liabilities

3,701

875

Net cash provided by operating activities

28,893

36,303

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property and equipment

(4,377)

(3,739)

Software development costs

(7,954)

(5,033)

Acquisitions of businesses,net of cash and restricted cashacquired of $6,068 and $2,711

(148,541)

(62,713)

Proceeds from disposal of business

44,865

-

Other

21

-

Net cash used in investing activities

(115,986)

(71,485)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from revolving credit facility

40,000

-

Repayment of revolving credit facility

(40,000)

-

Proceeds from term credit facility,net of debt discount of $1,013

73,987

-

Repayments of term credit facility

(3,494)

(3,362)

Payments of deferred financing costs

(1,619)

(131)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

264

-

Payment of contingent consideration

(3,695)

(2,873)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

65,443

(6,366)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash,cash equivalents and restricted cash

394

742

Decrease in cash,cash equivalents and restricted cash

(21,256)

(40,806)

Cash,cash equivalents and restricted cash

Beginning of period

104,769

148,654

End of the period

$ 83,513

$ 107,848

Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information

Issuance of shares for acquisitions

182,248

20,143

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP results are presented only as a supplement to our financial statements based on US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the reader's understanding of our financial performance,but none of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under GAAP,and non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the most directly comparable GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures,such as Adjusted EBITDA,and Adjusted net income per share,are provided within the schedules attached to this release. We use non-GAAP measures in our operational and financial decision-making,believing that it is useful to exclude certain items in order to focus on what we deem to be a more reliable indicator of ongoing operating performance and our ability to generate cash flow from operations. As a result,internal management reports used during monthly operating reviews include Adjusted EBITDA,and Adjusted net income per share. Additionally,we believe that the presentation of non-GAAP measures provides information that is useful to investors as it indicates,for example,our ability to meet capital expenditures and working capital requirements and otherwise meet our obligations as they become due. Investors are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP disclosures. This communication also includes certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to present without unreasonable efforts a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial information to the corresponding GAAP financial information because management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial information is based on numerous assumptions,including assumptions with respect to general business,economic,market,regulatory and financial conditions and various other factors,all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly,investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. Non-GAAP measures are frequently used by securities analysts,investors,and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies comparable to Cision,many of which present non-GAAP measures when reporting their results. These measures can be useful in evaluating our performance against our peer companies because we believe the measures provide users with valuable insight into key components of GAAP financial disclosures. However,non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool. Non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. They are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP,are not measures of financial condition or liquidity,and should not be considered as an alternative to profit or loss for the period determined in accordance with GAAP or operating cash flows determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result,you should not consider such performance measures in isolation from,or as a substitute analysis for,results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(in millions)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31,

2019

2018

Change

Net income (loss)

$ 11.6

$ (0.4)

$ 12.1

Depreciation and amortization

31.0

33.3

(2.3)

Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt

19.6

22.1

(2.5)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

7.5

(17.7)

25.2

EBITDA (1)

69.8

37.3

32.5

Acquisition and offering related costs

19.3

10.9

8.4

Stock-based compensation

2.1

1.3

0.7

Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting

3.1

0.9

2.2

Gain on sale of business

(28.1)

0.0

(28.1)

Unrealized translation (gain) loss

(3.0)

7.9

(10.9)

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

$ 63.1

$ 58.2

$ 4.9

Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Income(Loss) to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share

(in millions,except for per share and share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31,

2019

2018

Change

Net income (loss)

$ 11.6

$ (0.4)

$ 12.1

Provision for (benefit from)income taxes

7.5

(17.7)

25.2

Acquisition and offering related costs

19.3

10.9

8.4

Gain on sale of business

(28.1)

-

(28.1)

Stock-based compensation expense

2.1

1.3

0.8

Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting

3.1

0.9

2.2

Amortization related to acquired intangible assets

23.7

25.9

(2.2)

Non-recurring interest and loss on extinguishment of debt

0.4

2.4

(2.1)

Unrealized translation (gain) loss

(3.0)

7.9

(10.9)

Adjusted Income before income taxes

36.5

31.3

5.3

Less: Income tax at a 26% rate

(9.5)

(8.1)

(1.4)

Adjusted net income (3)

$ 27.0

$ 23.1

$ 3.9

Pro forma fully-diluted weighted average shares outstanding

145.4

123.9

21.5

Adjusted net income per diluted share (4)

$ 0.19

$ 0.19

$ -

Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Net Cash Provided by

Operating Activities

(in millions)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31,

2019

2018

Change

Net cash provided by operating activities

$ 28.9

$ 36.3

$ (7.4)

Acquisition and offering related costs

19.3

10.9

8.4

Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities (5)

$ 48.2

$ 47.2

$ 1.0

(1)

Cision defines EBITDA as net income (loss),plus depreciation and amortization expense,plus interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt,plus provision for (or minus benefit from) income taxes.

(2)

Cision defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA,further adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs,stock-based compensation,deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting,(gains) losses related to divested businesses or assets,sponsor fees and expenses,and unrealized translation losses (gains). All of the items included in the reconciliation from net income to Adjusted EBITDA are either non-cash items or are items that we consider to be less useful in assessing our operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items,we believe that investors can better assess our operating performance if the measures are presented without such items because,unlike cash expenses,these adjustments do not affect our ability to generate free cash flow or invest in our business. For example,by excluding depreciation and amortization from EBITDA,users can compare operating performance without regard to different accounting determinations such as useful life. In the case of the other items,we believe that investors can better assess operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance.

(3)

Cision defines Adjusted net income as net income (loss) plus provision for (or minus benefit from) income taxes,amortization related to acquired intangibles,non-recurring interest and losses on extinguishment of debt,and unrealized translation losses (gains),which together,sum to Adjusted net income (loss) before income taxes. Adjusted net income (loss) before income taxes is then taxed at an assumed long-term corporate tax rate of 26%. All of the items included in the reconciliation from net income to Adjusted net income are either non-cash items or are items that we consider to be less useful in assessing our operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items,by excluding the amortization related to acquired intangibles,users can compare operating performance without regard to highly variable amortization expenses related to our acquisitions. In the case of the other items,we believe that investors can better assess operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance.

(4)

Cision defines Adjusted net income per diluted share as Adjusted net income,as defined above,divided by the fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the period. For purposes of calculating the number of fully diluted shares outstanding,we have excluded the potential impact of dilution from outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our common stock prior to the dates of their conversion,and stock options and restricted units issued and outstanding pursuant to our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018,we issued an aggregate of 6,342,989 ordinary shares (6,100,209 ordinary shares on May 18,2018 and 242,780 ordinary shares on June 4,2018),in exchange for all of our outstanding warrants,pursuant to the completion of our warrant exchange transactions. During the third quarter of 2018,we issued 2,000 ordinary shares for the earn-out achieved during the quarter. Commencing on these respective issuance dates,we included the issued shares in our fully-diluted pro forma weighted average share count.

(5)

Cision defines Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for acquisition related costs and expenses.

Investor Contact:

Jack Pearlstein

Chief Financial Officer

Jack.Pearlstein@cision.com

Media Contact:

Jenn Deering Davis

VP,Communications

Jenn.Deering.Davis@cision.com

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