Harte Hanks
HHS
#10584
Rank
$32.94 M
Marketcap
$4.42
Share price
1.15%
Change (1 day)
23.81%
Change (1 year)
Text size:
1
================================================================================

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

---------------------

FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
------- --------

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-7120

---------------------

HARTE-HANKS, INC. (formerly HARTE-HANKS
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE 74-1677284
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)

200 CONCORD PLAZA DRIVE 78216
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (ZIP CODE)
(Address of principal executive officers)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE -- 210-829-9000

---------------------

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

NAME OF EACH
TITLE OF EACH CLASS EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
- ------------------- ----------------------------
Common Stock New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

None
----
(Title of class)

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 X No.
--- ---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filings pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. X
---

Aggregate market value of the Company's voting stock held by non-affiliates
on March 1, 2000, based on the $21.9375 per share closing price for the
Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on such date:
approximately $963,000,000. .

SHARES OUTSTANDING AT MARCH 1, 2000:

Common Stock - 68,245,117 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

The Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31,
1999 (incorporated in Part II to the extent provided in Items 5, 6, 7 and 8
hereof).

Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's May 2, 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated in Part III to the extent provided in Items
10, 11 and 12 hereof).

================================================================================
2
2


Harte-Hanks, Inc.
Table of Contents
Form 10-K Report
December 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C> <C>
Part I

Item 1. Business 3

Item 2. Properties 3

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 10

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 10

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 10

Item 6. Selected Financial Data 10

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 11

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 11

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 11

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure 11

Part III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 11

Item 11. Executive Compensation 11

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management 11

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 11

Part IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K. 12

Signatures 16
</TABLE>
3
3


ITEM 1. BUSINESS AND ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

INTRODUCTION

Harte-Hanks is a highly focused targeted media company with continuing
operations in two principal businesses - direct and interactive marketing and
shoppers - as a result of the sale of the Company's newspaper and television
operations on October 15, 1997. (See Note N of "Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.") Since the newspaper and television operations represented entire
business segments, their results are reported as "discontinued operations" for
all periods presented. Results of the remaining business segments are reported
as "continuing operations."

The Company's shopper business operates in selected local and regional
markets in California and Florida, while its direct and interactive marketing
business operates both nationally and internationally. The Company believes that
marketing is undergoing a transition from traditional mass media marketing to
targeted marketing and customer relationship management. The transition is being
driven by the increasing sophistication and efficiency of computer technology
and a growing need among marketers to customize the products and services they
offer to customers. Direct and interactive marketing, which represents 67.4% of
the Company's revenue, is leading the movement toward highly targeted marketing
and customer relationship management (CRM). The Company's shopper business
applies similar targeting principles. Harte-Hanks' strategy is based on five key
elements: being a market leader in each of its businesses; increasing revenues
through growing its base businesses, introducing new products, entering new
markets and making acquisitions; using technology to create competitive
advantage; employing people who can partner effectively with its clients; and
creating shareholder value. Company revenues from continuing operations totaled
$829.8 million in 1999.

Harte-Hanks is the successor to a newspaper business begun in Texas in the
early 1920's by Houston Harte and Bernard Hanks. In 1972, the Company went
public and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company went private
in a leveraged buyout initiated by management in 1984. In 1993, the Company
again went public and listed its common stock on the NYSE.

See Note P of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for certain
financial information by business segment.

DIRECT MARKETING

GENERAL

Harte-Hanks operates a national and international direct and interactive
marketing business offering a broad range of specialized, coordinated and
integrated services. The Company utilizes advanced technologies to enable its
clients to identify, reach, influence and nurture their customers. The Company
believes that developments in computer technology and trends toward more
sophisticated marketing analysis and measurement will continue to result in
increased usage of direct and interactive marketing services. Harte-Hanks'
direct and interactive marketing clients include many of America's largest
retailers, high technology firms, banks, mutual funds companies, pharmaceutical
companies, healthcare organizations and insurance companies, along with a
growing number of clients in such emerging markets as telecommunications,
automotive, utilities and travel. Its client base is both domestic and
international. In 1999, Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing had revenues of $559.3
million, which accounted for 67.4% of the Company's revenues.

Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing offers a complete range of specialized,
coordinated and integrated direct and interactive marketing services from a
single source. These services are organized into three broad sectors -
CRM/response management, CRM/database and marketing services.
4
4


In 1999, Harte-Hanks made three acquisitions in its direct and interactive
marketing business segment. In the CRM/response management sector, Harte-Hanks
expanded its services to the high-tech and communications industries through the
acquisition of ZD Market Intelligence, renamed Harte-Hanks Market Intelligence,
a leading provider of database products and solutions to the high-tech and
communications industries in the United States, Canada and Europe. Harte-Hanks
further expanded its CRM/database capabilities through the acquisition of LYNQS
Newmedia of Kansas City, Missouri, a developer of new media applications,
including sophisticated Internet and Intranet software applications, for the
financial services, pharmaceutical and other industries. Harte-Hanks also
strengthened its marketing services capabilities through the acquisition of
Direct Marketing Associates, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland, a leading provider of
integrated direct marketing services to commercial, government and non-profit
organizations.

CRM/RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

Harte-Hanks Response Management manages the inquiries clients receive from
their marketing efforts, whether from World Wide Web sites, email, 1-800
numbers, trade shows or fax programs. These inquiries or leads are qualified,
tracked and distributed both to the appropriate sales channels as well as to
client management for analysis and decision making. Many of these leads are
processed and distributed over the Internet, accounting for more than 12.5
million transactions in 1999, an increase of more than 80% over 1998. In
addition to qualifying and distributing sales leads, the Internet is being used
to register attendees for seminars and training events, to manage open-ended
electronic mail responses traditionally handled by phone and to provide e-care
services. Additionally, for an international client, the Company has developed
and implemented a web-based lead generation system designed to deliver sales
leads to agencies around the world and to provide "closed-loop" management
tools.

The Company expanded its services to the high-tech and communications
industries by the October 1999 acquisition of ZD Market Intelligence, renamed
Harte-Hanks Market Intelligence, a leading provider of database products and
solutions to the high-tech and communications industries. The combination
creates strong cross-selling opportunities among both Harte-Hanks and
Harte-Hanks Market Intelligence customers. Harte-Hanks Market Intelligence's
database content combined with Harte-Hanks resources in CRM/response management
and CRM/database integration creates real end-to-end marketing solutions for
technology customers.

The Company increased its Internet-driven opportunities by forming a number
of strategic alliances in the interactive arena. Harte-Hanks signed a reseller
and systems integration agreement with E.piphany, a leader in customer-centric
analytic applications, which allows the Company to offer E.piphany Web-based
applications to help businesses connect and analyze customer information.
Harte-Hanks entered into a strategic relationship and reseller agreement with
net.Genesis Corp., a leader in e-business intelligence solutions. Through this
alliance, the companies are working together to integrate net.Genesis software
with Harte-Hanks enterprise-side products. Harte-Hanks formed an alliance with
BroadVision, a worldwide supplier of one-to-one e-business applications for
relationship management across the extended enterprise. The alliance allows the
Company to provide clients full-spectrum customer relationship management
solutions utilizing the enterprise business and e-commerce power of Broadvision.
Harte-Hanks entered into a strategic alliance and made an equity investment in
Digital Impact, a leader in the e-mail marketing industry, enabling the Company
to offer its clients privately labeled e-mail marketing services. Harte-Hanks
further strengthened its e-mail marketing services through an alliance with
eGain, a developer of e-mail response management systems. These alliances allow
comprehensive customer relationship management, including pre-sale, sale and
post-sale services. With these additions, the Company now provides multiple
options for live interaction, e-commerce and e-fulfillment, e-mail response
services, real-time data access, online event registration, knowledge base for
customer support, and project management tools.

Using proprietary software, the Company also builds contact databases for
its clients using the information gained from these CRM/response management
activities. These databases help clients measure the return on their marketing
communications and make more informed decisions about future marketing efforts.
5
5


The Company provides CRM/response management services at its facilities in
Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, California; La Jolla, California; San
Diego, California; Sunnyvale, California; West Bridgewater, Massachusetts;
Cambridge, Massachusetts; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Clearwater, Florida; and
Langhorne, Pennsylvania. These centers have some industry specialization and are
linked together to support certain clients that have volume spikes or high
growth needs.

The Company also provides CRM/response management services internationally
through offices in Darmstadt, Germany; Dublin, Ireland; Hasselt, Belgium;
Madrid, Spain; Sevres, France; and Thatcham, United Kingdom.

CRM/DATABASE

The Company builds customized marketing databases for specific clients and
provides them with easy-to-use tools to target their best customers and
prospects. Using proprietary name and address matching software, the Company
standardizes large numbers of customer records from multiple sources, integrates
them into a single database for each client and, if needed, appends demographic
and lifestyle information.

In most cases, these databases are delivered for use on clients' personal
computers, networks or workstations, where the Company's P/CIS(R) software
applications help clients predict the likely results of marketing promotions and
track recipients' buying behavior. The Company recently introduced an
interactive Customer Relationship Management system called Allink Agent(TM) that
enables marketers to optimize customer and prospect communications across all
touch points in the enterprise. Relational databases are built for clients from
a range of facilities, each specializing in specific market segments. These are
moved to the client's site or maintained at Harte-Hanks with on-line access to
client locations. The Company's new Relationship Builder(TM) product is a
combination of software tools and processes to construct and maintain customer
centric databases. Allink Segment(TM) is a data analysis product that creates
rapid access to client data. In addition to building a client's database and
installing the software, Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing performs regular database
updates and offers its software module Trillium(R) for clients who want to
integrate data quality capabilities into their data warehouse.

In addition, the Company operates as a service bureau for clients who need
it, preparing list selections, maximizing deliverability and reducing clients'
mailing costs through sophisticated postal coding, hygiene and address updates
through a non-exclusive National Change of Address license with the U.S. Postal
Service.

CRM/database services are marketed to specific industries or markets with
software tailored to each industry or market. Having established the basic
technological foundation, the Company is able to provide CRM/database services
to new industries and markets by modifying its existing technology. The Company
currently provides CRM/database services to all of its primary markets in
addition to a range of emerging markets for which a specialized group has been
formed to support the commitment to expand market coverage.

As a further extension of the client's marketing arm, Harte-Hanks provides
marketing research and analytics services. Specific capabilities include
tracking and reporting, media analysis, modeling, database profiling, primary
data collection, marketing applications, consulting and program development.

From the data and the analysis comes the translation into marketing
programs. Increasingly clients seek execution programs as part of the data-based
offerings. These are provided by the Harte-Hanks database agencies which create
the plan to manage direct and interactive marketing communication efforts. These
efforts, which have a base in the health care/insurance and telecommunication
markets have been expanded into retail and utilities and will further expand
into other markets. The capabilities of the CRM/database services group were
increased by the formation of an Internet marketing arm, Harte-Hanks
Interactive, and the recently acquired LYNQS Newmedia.
6
6


The Company provides CRM/database services at its facilities in Baltimore,
Maryland; Billerica, Massachusetts; Heathrow, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; New
York, New York; Piscataway, New Jersey; River Edge, New Jersey; Langhorne,
Pennsylvania; and Woodstock, New York.

The Company also provides CRM/database services internationally through
offices in Melbourne, Australia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; London, England; and
Toronto, Canada.

MARKETING SERVICES

Harte-Hanks provides a variety of services to help clients develop and
execute targeted marketing communication programs. These include such upfront
services as creative and graphics, along with back-end services such as
printing, personalization of communication pieces using laser and inkjet
printing, target mail and fulfillment, and transportation logistics.

The Company's mail tracking capability and long-standing relationships with
the U.S. Postal Service help ensure that customer mailings reach their
destinations on time. And, by controlling the final stage of the print
distribution process through its logistics operations, the Company facilitates
the delivery of its clients' materials while holding costs to a minimum.

Harte-Hanks strengthened its marketing services sector through its May
acquisition of Direct Marketing Associates, Inc. (DMA) of Baltimore, Maryland, a
leading provider of integrated direct marketing services to commercial,
government and non-profit organizations. During 1999 DMA combined with
Harte-Hanks' marketing services business in Baltimore to take advantage of the
expanded capabilities and operational synergies existing between the two
operations.

Depending upon the needs of clients, Harte-Hanks marketing services
capabilities are provided in a specialized, coordinated and integrated approach
through eleven primary facilities nationwide.

SALES AND MARKETING

Harte-Hanks' national direct and interactive marketing sales forces are
headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with additional offices maintained throughout
the United States and in Toronto, Canada; London, England; Sao Paulo, Brazil;
Melbourne, Australia; Hasselt, Belgium; Darmstadt, Germany; Madrid Spain;
Dublin, Ireland; Thatcham United Kingdom; Sevres, France Additionally, the
Company has affiliates in Singapore. The sales forces, with industry specific
knowledge and experience, emphasize cross-selling the range of direct and
interactive marketing services and are supported by employees in each sector.
The overall sales focus is to position Harte-Hanks as a marketing partner and a
single-source solution for a client's targeted marketing needs.

The Company generally charges transaction-related fees each time it
provides direct and interactive marketing services. For certain CRM/database
projects, it charges a one-time, negotiated fee to build a database, plus an
additional fee each time the database is updated. There are often consulting and
account management fees associated with CRM/response management and planning
fees for many of the data-based solutions.
7
7


FACILITIES

Direct and interactive marketing services are provided at the following
facilities:

<TABLE>

<S> <C>
CRM/RESPONSE MANAGEMENT MARKETING SERVICES (CONTINUED)
Austin, Texas Cincinnati, Ohio
Cambridge, Massachusetts Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Cherry Hill, New Jersey Deerfield Beach, Florida
Clearwater, Florida Forty Fort, Pennsylvania
Dallas, Texas Fullerton, California
La Jolla, California Jacksonville, Florida
Langhorne, Pennsylvania Kansas City, Kansas
Los Angeles, California Memphis, Tennessee
San Diego, California New York, New York
Sunnyvale, California Sacramento, California
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Westville, New Jersey
CRM/DATABASE
Baltimore, Maryland NATIONAL SALES HEADQUARTERS
Billerica, Massachusetts Cincinnati, Ohio
Heathrow, Florida Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Langhorne, Pennsylvania INTERNATIONAL OFFICES
New York, New York Darmstadt, Germany
Piscataway, New Jersey Dublin, Ireland
River Edge, New Jersey Hasselt, Belgium
Woodstock, New York London, England
Madrid, Spain
MARKETING SERVICES Melbourne, Australia
Baltimore, Maryland Sao Paulo, Brazil
Bellmawr, New Jersey Sevres, France
Bloomfield, Connecticut Thatcham, United Kingdon
Toronto, Canada
</TABLE>


COMPETITION

Harte-Hanks' direct and interactive marketing business faces competition
from other direct marketing companies in each sector, as well as from print and
electronic media and other forms of advertising. Harte-Hanks believes that its
state-of-the-art CRM/database and CRM/response management capabilities, combined
with its national production capability, industry focus and ability to offer a
full range of integrated services, enable the Company to compete effectively.

SHOPPERS

GENERAL

Harte-Hanks is the largest publisher of advertising shoppers in North
America based on weekly circulation and revenues, and the only national targeted
media company that focuses on shoppers as a core business. Shoppers are weekly
advertising publications delivered free by third-class mail to all households in
a particular geographic area. Shoppers offer advertisers a targeted,
cost-effective local advertising system, with
8
8


virtually 100% penetration in their area of distribution. Shoppers are
particularly effective in large markets with high media fragmentation in which
major metropolitan newspapers generally have low penetration.

As of December 31, 1999, Shoppers delivered approximately 9.5 million
shopper packages in four major markets each week covering the greater Los
Angeles market (Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San
Bernardino County, Ventura County, and Kern County), the greater San Diego
market, Northern California (San Jose, Sacramento and Stockton) and South
Florida. (Shopper publications overlap in approximately 200,000 households in
South Orange County.) The Company's California publications account for 88% of
Shopper's weekly circulation.

Harte-Hanks publishes 783 individual shopper editions each week distributed
to zones of approximately 12,100 households each. This allows single-location,
local advertisers to saturate a single geographic zone, while enabling
multiple-location advertisers to saturate multiple zones. This unique delivery
system gives large and small advertisers alike a cost-effective way to reach
their target markets. The Company believes that its zoning capabilities and
production technologies have enabled it to saturate and target areas in a number
of ways including, geographic, demographic, lifestyles, behavioral and language.
This allows its advertisers to effectively target their customers. The Company's
strategy is to increase its share of local advertising in its existing
circulation areas, and, over time, to increase circulation through internal
expansion into contiguous areas and make selective acquisitions. In 1999,
Harte-Hanks Shoppers had revenues of $270.5 million, accounting for
approximately 32.6% of the Company's revenues.

During the period 1995 through 1999, 1.0 million households were added to
the Company's shopper circulation through internal expansion. The Company
believes that expansions provide increased revenues and operating income as the
publications in these new areas mature. In addition to internal expansion,
Harte-Hanks Shoppers added 2.0 million households to its California circulation
with the acquisition of the ABC Shoppers Group from an indirect subsidiary of
The Walt Disney Company in October 1997. The Company now reaches 8.4 million
households in California, or nearly 72% of the state's total.

PUBLICATIONS

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to shopper
publications:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1999
---------------------------------
Number of
Market Publication Name Circulation Zones
- ------ ---------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Greater Los Angeles PennySaver/South 4,959,000 422
Coast Shopper

Greater San Diego PennySaver/Bargain 1,421,000 117
Bulletin/El Informador

Northern California PennySaver/Magic Ads 2,020,000 151

South Florida The Flyer 1,096,000 93
--------- ----

Total: 9,496,000 783
</TABLE>

Shopper publications contain classified and display advertising and are
primarily delivered to consumers' homes by third-class saturation mail. The
typical shopper publication contains over 42 pages and is 7 by 9-1/2 inches in
size. Each edition, or zone, is targeted around a natural neighborhood marketing
pattern. Shoppers also serve as a distribution vehicle for multiple ads from
national and regional advertisers; "print and deliver" single-sheet inserts
designed and printed by the Company; coupon books; preprinted inserts from major
retail chains; and a four-color proprietary product, MARQUEE. Harte-Hanks
shopper publications also offer
9
9


audiotext voice mail in a pay-per-call format. In addition, shoppers offer
advertising over its internet sites - www.pennysaverusa.com for its California
publications and theflyer.com for its South Florida publication.

The Company has acquired, developed and applied innovative technology and
customized equipment in the publication of its shoppers, contributing to
efficiency and growth. A proprietary pagination system, jointly developed by the
Company and a software company, became fully operational for the shoppers in
Southern California and South Florida in 1995. This software has made it
possible for the hundreds of weekly zoned editions to be designed, built and
output to plate-ready negatives in a paperless, digital environment. Automating
the production process saves on labor, newsprint and overweight postage. This
software also allows for better ad tracking, immediate checks on individual zone
and ad status, and more on-time press starts with less manpower.

SALES AND MARKETING

The Company maintains local sales offices throughout its geographic markets
and employs more than 625 commissioned sales representatives who develop both
targeted and saturation advertising programs for customers. The sales
organization provides service to both national and local advertisers through its
telemarketing departments and field sales representatives. Shopper customers
vary from individuals with a single item for sale to local neighborhood
advertisers to large multi-location advertisers. The core customers continue to
be local service businesses and small retailers. The Company is increasingly
focusing its marketing efforts on larger national accounts by emphasizing its
ability to deliver saturation advertising in defined zones in combination with
advertising in the shopper publication.

Additional focus is placed on particular industries/categories through the
use of sales specialists. These sales specialists are primarily used to target
automotive, real estate, and employment advertisers.

The Company utilizes a proprietary sales and marketing system (SAMS) to
enter customer orders directly from the field, instantly checking space
availability, ad costs and other pertinent information. A paperless order entry
system on a Unix platform, SAMS has built-in error-reducing safeguards,
minimizing costly sales adjustments. In addition, SAMS facilitates placement of
advertising in multiple-zoned editions. The Company has expanded SAMS so that,
in addition to allowing advertising information to be entered for immediate
publication, it will build a relational customer database, enabling sales
personnel to access customer history by designated variables, thereby
identifying similar potential customers and assisting follow-up with existing
customers.

FACILITIES

Harte-Hanks shoppers are produced at owned or leased facilities in the
markets they serve. The Company has five production facilities - three in
Southern California, one in Northern California and one in its Florida market -
and 31 sales offices. At the end of 1998 and during 1999, the Company
consolidated two Northern California production facilities into one in the
Sacramento. The consolidation will facilitate future expansions in the Northern
California marketplace.

COMPETITION

Harte-Hanks shoppers compete primarily with metropolitan daily newspapers,
shared mail packages and other local advertising media. Shoppers also compete in
varying degrees for advertisers and readers with magazines, radio, broadcast and
cable television, directories, internet sites, other shoppers and other
communications media that operate in their markets. The Company believes that
its production systems and technology, which enable it to publish separate
editions in narrowly targeted zones, allow it to compete effectively,
particularly in large markets with high media fragmentation.
10
10


EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 1999, Harte-Hanks employed 7,157 full-time employees and
988 part-time employees, as follows: direct marketing - 5,319 full-time and 580
part-time employees; shoppers - 1,817 full-time and 407 part-time employees; and
corporate office - 21 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. None of the
work force is represented by labor unions. The Company considers its relations
with its employees to be good.

FACILITIES

Harte-Hanks' executive offices are located in San Antonio, Texas and occupy
approximately 17,000 square feet in leased premises. The Company's business is
conducted in facilities nationwide containing aggregate space of approximately
3.2 million square feet. Approximately 3.1 million square feet are held under
leases, which expire at dates through 2014. The balance of the properties, which
are used primarily in the Company's Southern California shopper operations and
Westville, New Jersey marketing service operations, are owned by the Company.

YEAR 2000 ISSUE

The Year 2000 Issue is a result of computer programs being written using
two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Accordingly, computer
systems that rely on two digits to define an applicable year may recognize a
date using "00" as the year 1900, rather than the Year 2000 (the "Year 2000
Issue"). This could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing
disruptions of operations, including, but not limited to, a temporary inability
to process or transmit data or engage in normal business activities.

The Company made the necessary coversions to make the Company Year 2000
compatible, spending $4.9 million in this effort. No material problems were
encountered throughout the Company associated with the date rollover. The minor
problems that were encountered did not affect mission critical systems, did not
affect customers, did not disrupt business operations, did not impact revenue
and were corrected in a timely manner.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company from time to time becomes involved in various claims and
lawsuits incidental to its businesses. In the opinion of management, after
consultation with counsel, any ultimate liability arising out of currently
pending claims and lawsuits will not have a material effect on the financial
condition or operations of the Company.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1999 at page 31.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1999 at page 30.
11
11


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1999 at pages 13 through 17.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company's earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates
as a result of its revolving credit agreements, which bear interest at floating
rates. The Company does not believe that it has has significant exposure to
market risks associated with changing interest rates as of December 31, 1999.
The Company does not use derivative financial instruments in its operations.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following information is set forth in the Company's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1999, which is incorporated herein
by reference: All Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 18 through 21); all
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 22 through 29); and the
Independent Auditors' Report (page 31). With the exception of the information
herein expressly incorporated by reference, the Company's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1999 is not deemed filed as part of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 10. MANAGEMENT

Incorporated herein by reference from the information in the Company's
definitive proxy statement dated March 27, 2000 for the May 2, 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Management -- Directors and Executive
Officers" on page 7.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Incorporated herein by reference from the information in the Company's
definitive proxy statement dated March 27, 2000 for the May 2, 2000 Annual
Meeting of the Stockholders under the caption, "Executive Compensation and Other
Information" on pages 8 through 12.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Incorporated herein by reference from the information in the Company's
definitive proxy statement dated March 27, 2000 for the May 2, 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Security Ownership of Management and
Principal Stockholders" on pages 5 and 6.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

None.
12
12


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)(1) The following consolidated financial statements are incorporated by
reference from the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the
year ended December 31, 1999 attached hereto:

Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1999 and 1998

Consolidated Statements of Operations, Years ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, Years ended December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Independent Auditors' Report

(a)(2) The following accountants' report and financial schedule for years
ending December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 are submitted herewith:

Independent Auditors' Report 10-K Schedule

Schedule II-- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules are omitted as the required information is
inapplicable
13
13


(a) (3) EXHIBITS

Exhibit
No. Description of Exhibit

2(a) Certificate of Ownership and Merger (filed as Exhibit 2(a) to the
Company's Registration Statement No. 33-69202 and incorporated by
reference herein).

2(b) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 4, 1996 among
Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., HHD Acquisition Corp. and DiMark,
Inc. (filed as Appendix A to the Company's Registration Statement No.
333-02047 and incorporated by reference herein).

2(c) Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of May 16,
1997, by and between The E.W. Scripps Company and Harte-Hanks
Communications, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Form 8-K
dated May 22, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein).

2(d) Acquisition Agreement, dated as of May 16, 1997, by and between The
E.W. Scripps Company and Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated May 22, 1997 and
incorporated by reference herein).

2(e) Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of July 26, 1997 between ABC, Inc.
and Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2(e) to the
Company's Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
incorporated by reference herein).

3(a) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit
3(a) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993
and incorporated by reference herein).

3(b) Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's
Registration Statement No. 33-69202 and incorporated by reference
herein).

3(c) Amendment dated April 30, 1996 to Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the Company's Form 10-Q for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated by reference
herein).

3(d) Amendment dated May 5, 1998 to Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3(d) to the Company's Form 10-Q for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated by reference
herein).
14
14


Exhibit
No. Description of Exhibit

3(e) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended through
May 5, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 3(e) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein).

4(a) 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 1999 between
Harte-Hanks, Inc. and the Lenders named therein [$100 million] (filed
as Exhibit 4(a) to the Company's form 10-Q for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 and incorporated by reference herein).

4(b) Three-Year Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 1999 between
Harte-Hanks, Inc. and the Lenders named therein [$100 million] (filed
as Exhibit 4(b) to the Company's form 10-Q for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 and incorporated by reference herein).

4(c) Other long term debt instruments are not being filed pursuant to
Section (b) (4) (ii) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Copies of such
instruments will be furnished to the Commission upon request.

10(a) 1984 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the Company's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1984 and incorporated herein by
reference).

10(b) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 11, 1984 among HHC
Holding Inc. and its stockholders (filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 and
incorporated by reference herein).

10(c) Severance Agreement between Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. and Larry
Franklin, dated as of July 23, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 10(f) to the
Company's Registration Statement No. 33-69202 and incorporated by
reference herein).

10(d) Form of Severance Agreement between Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc.
and certain Executive Officers of the Company, dated as of July 7 or
December 28,1997 (filed as Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated by reference
herein).

*10(e) Form of Severance Agreement between Harte-Hanks, Inc. and Richard M.
Hochhauser dated as of January 25, 2000.

*10(f) Harte-Hanks, Inc. Amended and Restated Restoration Pension Plan dated
as of January 1, 2000.
15
15


Exhibit
No. Description of Exhibit

10(g) Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan
(filed as Exhibit 10(p) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated by reference herein).

10(h) Harte-Hanks, Inc. Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option Plan (filed
as Exhibit 10(g) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the six months ended
June 30, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein).

10(i) Harte-Hanks, Inc. 1998 Director Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(h) to
the Company's Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and
incorporated by reference herein).

10(j) Harte-Hanks, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(I)
to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and
incorporated by reference herein).

*11 Statement Regarding Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share.

*13 Annual Report to Stockholders (only those portions incorporated by
reference into the Form 10-K are filed herewith).

*21 Subsidiaries of the Company

*23 Consent of KPMG LLP

*27 Financial Data Schedule


- ---------------------
*Filed herewith.


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(continued)

14(c) Exhibits -- The response to this portion of item 14 is submitted as a
separate section of this report on pages 20 to 55.

14(d) Financial Statement Schedule -- The response to this portion of Item
14 is submitted as a separate section of this report on page 19.

The agreements set forth above describe the contents of certain exhibits
thereunto which are not included. However, such exhibits will be furnished to
the Commission upon request.
16
16

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Harte-Hanks, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


HARTE-HANKS, INC.

By: /s/ Larry Franklin
---------------------------------------
Larry Franklin
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer


By: /s/ Jacques D. Kerrest
---------------------------------------
Jacques D. Kerrest
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer


Date: March 29, 2000

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities indicated.

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ Houston H. Harte /s/ Christopher M. Harte
- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Houston H. Harte, Vice Chairman Christopher M. Harte, Director


/s/ Larry Franklin /s/ James L. Johnson
- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Larry Franklin, Chairman James L. Johnson, Director


/s/ Richard M. Hochhauser /s/ David L. Copeland
- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Richard M. Hochhauser, Director David L. Copeland, Director


/s/ Dr. Peter T. Flawn
- --------------------------------
Dr. Peter T. Flawn, Director
</TABLE>
17


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT 10-K SCHEDULE


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Harte-Hanks, Inc.:

Under date of January 26, 2000, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets
of Harte-Hanks, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the
related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders'
equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999,
as contained in the 1999 annual report to stockholders. These consolidated
financial statements and our report thereon are incorporated by reference in the
annual report on Form 10-K for the year 1999. In connection with our audits of
the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the
related consolidated financial statement schedule as referred to in Item
14(a)(2). This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this
financial statement schedule based on our audits.

In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation
to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents
fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.



/s/ KPMG LLP


San Antonio, Texas
January 26, 2000
18


Harte-Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Financial Statement Schedule


Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(in thousands)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
Balance at Charged to Balance
Beginning Costs and at End
Description of Year Expenses Deductions of Year
- ---------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts:

Year ended December 31, 1999 ...... $3,246 $1,825 $1,320 $3,751
====== ====== ====== ======

Year ended December 31, 1998 ...... $2,835 $2,193 $1,782 $3,246
====== ====== ====== ======

Year ended December 31, 1997 ...... $1,121 $4,050 $2,336 $2,835
====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
19
EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<S> <C>

2(a) Certificate of Ownership and Merger (filed as Exhibit 2(a)
to the Company's Registration Statement No. 33-69202 and
incorporated by reference herein).

2(b) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 4, 1996
among Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., HHD Acquisition
Corp. and DiMark, Inc. (filed as Appendix A to the Company's
Registration Statement No. 333-02047 and incorporated by
reference herein).

2(c) Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of
May 16, 1997, by and between The E.W. Scripps Company and
Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to
the Company's Form 8-K dated May 22, 1997 and incorporated
by reference herein).

2(d) Acquisition Agreement, dated as of May 16, 1997, by and
between The E.W. Scripps Company and Harte-Hanks
Communications, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's
Form 8-K dated May 22, 1997 and incorporated by reference
herein).

2(e) Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of July 26, 1997 between
ABC, Inc. and Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 2(e) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and incorporated by reference
herein).

3(a) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as
Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993 and incorporated by reference herein).

3(b) Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the
Company's Registration Statement No. 33-69202 and
incorporated by reference herein).

3(c) Amendment dated April 30, 1996 to Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the
Company's Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 and incorporated by reference herein).

3(d) Amendment dated May 5, 1998 to Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3(d) to the
Company's Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1998
and incorporated by reference herein).
</TABLE>
20

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<S> <C>

3(e) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended
through May 5, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 3(e) to the Company's
Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and
incorporated by reference herein).

4(a) 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 1999
between Harte-Hanks, Inc. and the Lenders named therein
[$100 million] (filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Company's form
10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
incorporated by reference herein).

4(b) Three-Year Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 1999
between Harte-Hanks, Inc. and the Lenders named therein
[$100 million] (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to the Company's form
10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
incorporated by reference herein).

4(c) Other long term debt instruments are not being filed
pursuant to Section (b)(4)(ii) of Item 601 of Regulation
S-K. Copies of such instruments will be furnished to the
Commission upon request.

10(a) 1984 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1984 and
incorporated herein by reference).

10(b) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 11, 1984
among HHC Holding Inc. and its stockholders (filed as
Exhibit 10(b) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993 and incorporated by reference herein).

10(c) Severance Agreement between Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc.
and Larry Franklin, dated as of July 23, 1993 (filed as
Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Registration Statement No.
33-69202 and incorporated by reference herein).

10(d) Form of Severance Agreement between Harte-Hanks
Communications, Inc. and certain Executive Officers of the
Company, dated as of July 7 or December 28,1997 (filed as
Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein).

*10(e) Form of Severance Agreement between Harte-Hanks, Inc. and
Richard M. Hochhauser dated as of January 25, 2000.

*10(f) Harte-Hanks, Inc. Amended and Restated Restoration Pension
Plan dated as of January 1, 2000.
</TABLE>
21
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<S> <C>

10(g) Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. 1996 Incentive Compensation
Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(p) to the Company's Form 10-Q for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated by
reference herein).

10(h) Harte-Hanks, Inc. Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option
Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(g) to the Company's Form 10-Q for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated by
reference herein).

10(i) Harte-Hanks, Inc. 1998 Director Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit
10(h) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the six months ended
June 30, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein).

10(j) Harte-Hanks, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as
Exhibit 10(I) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein).

*11 Statement Regarding Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per
Common Share.

*13 Annual Report to Stockholders (only those portions
incorporated by reference into the Form 10-K are filed
herewith).

*21 Subsidiaries of the Company

*23 Consent of KPMG LLP

*27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

- ---------------------

*Filed herewith