Closing Entertainment Division In Cost-Saving Move

GoPro has announced a company-wide restructuring that will reduce full-year 2017 non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) operating expenses to approximately $650 million (GAAP: $735 million) and achieve its goal of returning to non-GAAP profitability in 2017. The restructuring includes the closure of its entertainment division, facilities reductions, and the elimination of more than 200 full-time positions plus the cancellation of open positions for a reduction in force of approximately 15 percent.

Additionally, Tony Bates will depart his position as president of the Company at the end of the year. "My time at GoPro has been an incredible experience," said Tony Bates. "In the past three years, GoPro has seen enormous progress in camera technology, software and international growth.  Today GoPro has a solid leadership team deeply focused on its core business and profitability."

GoPro estimates that it will incur total aggregate charges of approximately $24 million to $33 million for the restructuring, including approximately $13 million to $18 million of cash expenditures as a result of the workforce restructuring, substantially all of which are severance costs, and approximately $11 million to $15 million of non-cash expenditures, consisting primarily of stock-based compensation expense and accelerated depreciation associated with office consolidations. The company expects to recognize most of the restructuring charges in Q4 2016.

"Consumer demand for GoPro is solid and we've sharply narrowed our focus to concentrate on our core business," said Nicholas Woodman, Founder & CEO of GoPro. "We are headed into 2017 with a powerful global brand, our best ever products, and a clear roadmap for restored growth and profitability in 2017."

In its news release, the company did not mention the recent recall of the Karma drone.

Based on internal data, GoPro's week of Black Friday camera unit sales were up more than 35% year-over-year at leading U.S. retailers.  Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday sales of camera units at GoPro.com were up approximately 33% year-over-year.  According to the NPD Group, since the launch on October 2, HERO5 Black has been the best-selling Digital Imaging device in the United States.

HERO5 cameras are available at major US retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart.

"We have a lot of work to do to finish the quarter and our fiscal year, however our HERO5 cameras have been very well-received by critics and consumers alike," Woodman said.  "Both HERO5 cameras can now auto-offload new content to the cloud and our Quik mobile app makes accessing and editing your footage fun. It's clear consumers are excited about these new features."

(Source: GoPro news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.gopro.com