SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C., 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 3, 2001
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Acxiom Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-13163 71-0581897
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
P.O. Box 8180, 1 Information Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-8180
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (501) 342-1000
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
On April 3, 2001, Acxiom Corporation ("Acxiom" or the "Company")
held a telephone conference call regarding its anticipated financial results for
the fourth quarter. Acxiom's prepared comments for the conference call are
attached as Exhibit 99(a) to this report and are incorporated herein by
reference.
This Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements that are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially; such statements include but are not necessarily limited to the
following: 1) that there will continue to be strong customer demand for
AbiliTec; 2) that the Company will have fourth quarter 2001 AbiliTec sales
within the indicated range; 3) that AbiliTec will prove to be a continued long
term success; 4) that the Company will be able to soon close many AbiliTec sales
situations that were delayed by potential customers; 5) that the range of the
write-offs and charges related to Montgomery Wards will be within the indicated
ranges; 6) that the write-off of the investments in certain business partners
will be within the indicated ranges; 7) statements regarding revenue and
earnings projections; 8) that the adoption of SAB 101 will have the indicated
impact; 9) that the Company will be able to effectively continue its expense
reduction efforts, within the indicated ranges; 10) statements regarding the
Company's cash flow; 11) statements regarding the status of certain financing
transactions; 12) that the economic environment and business conditions will
remain difficult to predict. The following are important factors, among others,
that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking
statements: with regard to all statements regarding AbiliTec: the complexity and
uncertainty regarding the development of new software and high technologies; the
difficulties associated with developing new AbiliTec products and AbiliTec
Enabled Services; the loss of market share through competition or the acceptance
of these or other Company offerings on a less rapid basis than expected; changes
in the length of sales cycles; the introduction of competent, competitive
products or technologies by other companies; changes in the consumer and/or
business information industries and
markets; the Company's ability to protect proprietary information and technology
or to obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms; the impact of
changing legislative, accounting, regulatory and consumer environments in the
geographies in which AbiliTec will be deployed. With regard to the statements
that generally relate to the business of the Company: all of the above factors;
the fact that the financial numbers listed herein are estimates and ranges that
are based on the Company's understanding of current facts and circumstances; the
possibility that certain contracts may not be closed; the possibility that
economic or other conditions might lead to a reduction in demand for the
Company's products and services; the possibility that the current economic
slowdown may worsen and/or persist for an unpredictable period of time; the
possibility that significant customers may experience extreme, severe economic
difficulty; the continued ability to attract and retain qualified technical and
leadership associates and the possible loss of associates to other
organizations; the ability to properly motivate the sales force and other
associates of the Company; the ability to achieve cost reductions and avoid
unanticipated costs; changes in the legislative, accounting, regulatory and
consumer environments affecting the Company's business including but not limited
to litigation, legislation, regulations and customs relating to the Company's
ability to collect, manage, aggregate and use data; data suppliers might
withdraw data from the Company, leading to the Company's inability to provide
certain products and services; short-term contracts affect the predictability of
the Company's revenues; the potential loss of data center capacity or
interruption of telecommunication links; postal rate increases that could lead
to reduced volumes of business; customers that may cancel or modify their
agreements with the Company; the successful integration of any acquired
businesses and other competitive factors. With respect to the providing of
products or services outside the Company's primary base of operations in the
U.S.: all of the above factors and the difficulty of doing business in numerous
sovereign jurisdictions due to differences in culture, laws and regulations.
Other factors are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports
and registration statements filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. Acxiom believes that it has the product and technology offerings,
facilities, associates and competitive and financial resources for continued
business success, but future revenues, costs, margins and profits are all
influenced by a number of factors, including those discussed above, all of which
are inherently difficult to forecast. Acxiom undertakes no obligation to update
the information contained in this Form 8-K.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits.
99(a) Acxiom prepared comments for the April 3, 2001,
telephone conference call discussing Acxiom's anticipated fourth
quarter results.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Acxiom Corporation
/s/ Catherine L. Hughes
Date: April 3, 2001 --------------------------------------
Catherine L. Hughes
Secretary and Corporate Counsel