TRANSACTIONS
WITH RELATED PERSONS
RELATED-PERSON
TRANSACTIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES
We
have a written Related-Person Transactions Policy that sets forth our policies
and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and approval
or ratification of related-persons transactions. For purposes of our policy
only, a related-person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or
relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships)
in which we and any related person are participants involving an amount that
exceeds $50,000. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to
us as an employee, director, consultant or similar capacity by a related person
are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive officer,
director, or more than 5% stockholder of ours, including any of their immediate
family members, and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
Under
the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person
transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed
related-person transaction to the Audit Committee (or, where Audit Committee
approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of the Board) for
consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include a
description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct
and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to the Company of the
transaction and whether any alternative transactions were available. To
identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information
supplied by our executive officers and directors. In considering related-person
transactions, the Committee takes into account the relevant available facts and
circumstances including, but not limited to (a) the risks, costs and benefits
to the Company, (b) the impact on a directors independence in the event the
related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity
with which a director is affiliated, (c) the terms of the transaction, (d) the
availability of other sources for comparable services or products, and (e) the
terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to
or from employees, generally. In the event a director has an interest in the
proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the
deliberations and approval. The policy requires that, in determining whether to
approve, ratify or reject a related-person transaction, the Committee look at,
in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is, or is not,
inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, as
the Committee determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
mktgpartners Acquisition
On June 30, 2008, we acquired
substantially all of the assets of 3 For All Partners, LLC, d/b/a mktgpartners
(mktgpartners). Charlie Horsey, who was not then employed by us, but who is
currently our President, is mktgpartners principal member. The consideration
for the acquisition consisted of $3.25 million in cash and 332,226 shares of
Common Stock valued at the time of the acquisition at approximately $1,000,000.
Pursuant to the purchase agreement, $750,000 of the cash consideration and the
entire share consideration were deposited into an escrow account to be held for
a period of 18 months to satisfy indemnification claims, and were subject to
release to us upon the occurrence of certain specified events under the purchase
agreement, including the failure to achieve Gross Margin targets during the
12 month period following the closing. In July 2009, following the approval of
the Audit Committee, which was based on mktgpartners performance following the
acquisition and other relevant factors, the escrowed cash was released to
mktgpartners. As of December 31, 2009, the entire share consideration was
releasable to mktgpartners.
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Management
Participation in Series D Preferred Stock Financing
As
a condition to their participation in the December 2009 Series D Preferred
Stock financing, Union Capital required that directors, officers and employees
of ours collectively purchase $735,000 of the securities issued in the
financing on the same terms and conditions as Union Capital. Directors,
officers and employees participating in the financing included Marc Particelli,
our Chairman of the Board, who invested $500,000 in the financing, and Charles
Horsey, our President, who invested $200,000 in the financing. As a result of
their respective investments, Mr. Particelli was issued a Senior Secured Note
in the principal amount of $250,000, 250,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock
and a warrant to purchase 245,627 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price
of $.001 per share; and Mr. Horsey was issued a Senior Secured Note in the
principal amount of $100,000, 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock and a
warrant to purchase 98,251 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $.001
per share.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
Approval of
mktg,
inc. 2010
Equity Incentive Plan
Stockholders
are requested in this Proposal 2 to approve the mktg, inc 2010 Equity
Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan). For a complete statement of the terms and
provisions of the 2010 Plan, please refer to the full text of the 2010 Plan,
appearing as
Exhibit A
to this Proxy Statement. The essential features
of the 2010 Plan are outlined below:
Purpose; Term.
Our Board of Directors adopted the 2010 Plan on February 23, 2010, and
the 2010 Plan became effective at that time subject to stockholder approval.
The 2010 Plan provides for the granting to our employees, officers, directors,
consultants and advisors of stock options (non-statutory and incentive),
restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock units
(RSUs) and other performance stock awards. The purpose of the 2010 Plan is to
secure for the Company and its stockholders the benefits arising from capital
stock ownership by eligible participants who are expected to contribute to the
Companys future growth and success. Unless sooner terminated in accordance
with its terms, the 2010 Plan will terminate upon the close of business on
February 22, 2020. To date, we have not granted any awards under the 2010 Plan.
Administration.
The 2010 Plan is administered by the Board, which may, as permitted by
and consistent with applicable law, delegate any or all of its powers under the
plan to a committee it appoints. Our
Board has delegated its authority to administer the 2010 Plan to our
Compensation Committee. Subject
to the terms of the 2010 Plan, the Board (or such committee) has the authority
to determine the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, awards
are made, the size of each award, and the other terms and conditions of each
award (which need not be identical across participants). The Board also has the
authority, subject to the express provisions of the 2010 Plan, to construe the
respective agreements under the plan, proscribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the plan, accelerate or extend the dates options may be
exercised or accelerate the vesting of other stock awards, and make all other
determinations which are in the Boards judgment necessary or desirable for the
administration of the plan. The Boards construction and interpretation of the
terms and provisions of the plan are final and conclusive.
Stock Subject to 2010 Plan.
Subject to certain adjustment provisions
described below, the number of shares of Common Stock which are set aside and
reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan is 3,000,000shares.
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Reversion of Shares.
There are certain circumstances under which
shares of Common Stock that are already subject to an outstanding award under
the 2010 Plan may revert to the Plan and may become available for reissuance.
Specifically, if a stock award shall for any reason expire or otherwise
terminate, in whole or in part, without having been exercised in full (
i.e.
,
in the case of a stock option, SAR or RSU), or if any shares of Common Stock
issued to a participant pursuant to an award are forfeited back to or are
repurchased by us (
i.e.
, in the case of restricted stock), then the
shares not acquired shall revert to and again become available for issuance
under the 2010 Plan. A forfeiture or repurchase of stock may occur, for
example, as a result of a participants failure to satisfy a contingency or
condition that is required for the vesting of such shares.
Effect on Share Reserve of Use of Shares to Cover Tax
Withholding.
The
Board has discretion under the 2010 Plan to allow a recipient of a stock option
to use shares of Common Stock to satisfy the tax withholding requirement that
may arise upon exercise of such option. The shares may be shares previously
owned by the participant, or may be the shares acquired from the exercise of
the option. Any shares of Common Stock that are not delivered to a participant
because those shares are used to satisfy the payment of taxes will revert to
the share reserve under the 2010 Plan (and shall again become available for
issuance in the future).
Effect on Share Reserve of a Net Exercise or
Cashless Exercise of Stock Options.
Payment of the exercise price of a stock
option may be made in cash or check payable to the Company. The Board may
provide in the applicable stock option agreement under the 2010 Plan that a
participant may use shares of already-owned Common Stock to satisfy payment of
the exercise price, or any other means approved by the Board (including a net
exercise in which we withhold a number of shares that would otherwise be
issued to a participant upon the exercise of the option that have a fair market
value equal to the option exercise price). Any shares of Common Stock that are
not delivered to a participant because those shares are used to satisfy the
payment of the exercise price will revert to the share reserve under the 2010
Plan (and shall again become available for issuance in the future).
Maximum number of Shares Issued through Incentive
Stock Options.
The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2010 Plan
through the grant of incentive stock options is 3,000,000.
Eligible Participants.
Subject to certain limitations, awards under the 2010 Plan of
non-statutory options (NSOs), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units
and SARs may be granted to any employee, officer, director, consultant or
advisor to the Company and its subsidiaries. Only employees of the Company and
its subsidiaries may be granted incentive stock options (ISOs) under the 2010
Plan.
Plan Amendments and Termination.
The Board may at any time, and from time to
time, modify or amend the 2010 Plan in any respect, provided that no such
modification or amendment may adversely affect the rights of a participant
under an existing stock award that has been previously granted. Additionally,
if at any time the approval of our stockholders is required under Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) or any successor
provision with respect to ISOs, or under Rule 16b-3 under the 1934 Act (if then
applicable) or other applicable rules and regulations, the Board may not effect
such modification or amendment without such approval.
The Board may at any time suspend or
terminate the Plan, provided that any such suspension or termination shall not
adversely affect the rights of a participant under any Stock Award previously
granted while the Plan is in effect except with the consent of the participant.
If the 2010 Plan has not been terminated earlier, the Plan shall terminate upon
the close of business on February 22, 2020.
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Stock
Options
The
following is a description of the permissible terms of stock options under the
2010 Plan. Individual option grants may be more restrictive as to all or any of
the permissible terms described below.
Option Duration.
The term of each ISO shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or
such shorter term as the Board determines, except that in the case of an ISO
that is awarded to an employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing
more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any subsidiary, the term of the ISO must be five (5) years or such
shorter period as the Board determines. The term of each NSO is as determined
by the Board. The term of any option granted under the 2010 Plan, and all other
materials terms and conditions of such option, will be evidenced by an option
agreement between us and the participant.
Exercise Price.
The exercise price for any stock option granted under the 2010 Plan
shall be as determined by the Board, and may not be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, except that, in the
case of an ISO that is granted to an employee who at the time of grant owns
stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of our stock, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value on the date of grant.
Fair Market Value.
If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or
traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such
exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of
trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a
source the Board deems reliable. If the day of determination is not a market
trading day, then the trading day prior to the day of determination shall be
used. In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market
Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
Exercise of Option and Payment for Stock.
Stock options are exercisable at such time
or times and subject to such conditions as set forth in the agreement
evidencing such option, subject to the provisions of the 2010 Plan. The Board
has authority to accelerate the time at which an option may vest or be
exercised. The consideration to be paid for shares to be issued upon exercise
of an option may be made by (a) delivery of cash or a check to us; or (b) to
the extent permitted by the applicable option agreement, by (i) delivery to us
of shares of Common Stock already owned by the participant having a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
shares being purchased, (ii) a broker-assisted, same-day sale program, or (iii)
a net exercise program; or (c) by any other means approved by the Board.
Effect of Participants Termination of Employment or other
Service, Death or Disability.
The Board has the power to determine the period of time during which a
participant (or, if applicable, the estate or representative) may exercise a
stock option under the 2010 Plan following the termination of the participants
employment or other relationship with us, including upon the death or disability
(within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) of the participant. The
unvested portion of the stock option cannot be exercised and is forfeited on
the date of termination.
Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement between the participant and the Company, if a
participants employment terminates (other than for Cause or upon the
participants death or disability), the participant may exercise his or her
Option (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Award
as of the date of termination of continuous service) but only within such
period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following
the termination of employment (or such longer or shorter period specified in
the applicable Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the
Option as set forth in the Award Agreement.
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Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement between the participant and the Company, if a
participants employment terminates as a result of the participants
disability, the participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that
the participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of
termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the
date twelve (12) months following such termination, or (ii) the expiration of
the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement.
Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement between the participant and the Company, if a Participants
employment terminates as a result of the participants death, the Option may be
exercised (to the extent the participant was entitled to exercise such Option
as of the date of death) by the participants estate within the period ending
on the earlier of (i) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death
(or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), or (ii)
the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement.
For an option to retain its status as an ISO,
the participant must have been in the continuous employment with us or an
affiliate since the date of grant of the ISO, and the ISO must be exercised
within three (3) months after the date the participant ceases to be an employee
of ours or an affiliate. An option shall be considered an NSO if these
requirements are not met.
Transferability.
Options are not assignable or transferable by the person to whom they
are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, under the 2010 Plan
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of
the participant, shall be exercisable only by the participant. NSOs may,
however, be transferred pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (as
defined in Rule 16b-3) or as otherwise expressly permitted in the agreement
evidencing such NSO.
Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, SARs and
other Awards
Generally.
As
a condition to the grant of a restricted stock award, restricted stock unit or
SAR, each participant must execute an agreement evidencing such award not
inconsistent with the 2010 Plan. The terms and conditions of each such
agreement may change from time to time and agreements need not be identical,
with certain exceptions noted below.
Restricted Stock Awards.
A restricted stock award may be awarded as a stock bonus with no cash
purchase price to be paid by a participant, to the extent permitted under
applicable law, and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions as may
determined by the Board at the time of grant. If the participants service with
us terminates for any reason, unvested restricted stock will be forfeited
unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise.
Transferability.
Rights to purchase or receive shares of Common Stock granted under a
restricted stock award are transferable by the participant only upon such terms
and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement, as the
Board shall determine in its discretion, and so long as Common Stock awarded
then remains subject to the terms of the restricted stock award agreement.
Transferability of other awards will be as determined by the Board.
Restricted Stock Units.
A restricted stock unit (RSU) is a promise to issue shares of Common
Stock equivalent to the number of units covered by the award at or after
vesting of the Common Stock underlying the units. The Board will determine the
consideration, if any, to be paid by the participant upon delivery of each
share of Common Stock subject to an award of a restricted stock unit which, to
the extent required by applicable law, may not be less than par value. A
participant may settle a restricted stock unit by delivery of shares of Common
Stock, their cash equivalent or any combination of the two. At the time of
grant, the Board may also determine any restrictions or conditions to the
vesting of the shares subject to the award or any other restrictions or
conditions that delay delivery of such shares. If the participants service
with us terminates for any reason, unvested restricted stock units will be
forfeited unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise.
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Stock Appreciation Rights
. Stock appreciation rights are granted pursuant to stock appreciation
rights agreements. The Board determines the strike price for a stock
appreciation right, which may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of
our Common Stock on the date of grant. Upon the exercise of a stock
appreciation right, we will pay the participant an amount equal to the product
of (a) the excess of the per share fair market value of our Common Stock on the
date of exercise over the strike price, multiplied by (b) the number of shares
of Common Stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right is
exercised. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2010 Plan vests at the
rate specified in the stock appreciation rights agreement as determined by the
Board.
Performance Stock Awards
. Performance stock awards are either restricted stock awards or
restricted stock unit awards that may be granted or may vest based solely upon
the attainment of certain performance goals during a designated performance
period. The length of any performance period, the performance goals to be
achieved, and the measure of whether and to what degree such performance goals
have been attained, are conclusively determined by the Board in its sole
discretion.
Other Equity Awards
. The Board may grant other awards based in whole or in part by
reference to our Common Stock. The Board will set the number of shares under
the award, the purchase price, if any, the timing of exercise and vesting and
any repurchase rights associated with such awards.
Federal Income Tax Information
Incentive Stock Options.
Incentive stock options under the 2010 Plan are intended to be eligible
for the favorable federal income tax treatment accorded incentive stock
options under the Code.
There generally are no federal income tax
consequences to the participant or to us by reason of the grant or exercise of
an incentive stock option. However, the exercise of an incentive stock option
may increase the participants alternative minimum tax liability, if any.
If
a participant holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock
option for more than two years from the date on which the option is granted and
more than one year from the date on which the shares are transferred to the
participant upon exercise of the option, any gain or loss on a disposition of
such stock will be a long-term capital gain or loss.
Generally,
if the participant disposes of the stock before the expiration of either of
these holding periods (a disqualifying disposition), then at the time of
disposition the participant will realize taxable ordinary income equal to the
lesser of (i) the excess of the stocks fair market value on the date of
exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the participants actual gain, if
any, on the purchase and sale. The participants additional gain or any loss
upon the disqualifying disposition will be a capital gain or loss, which will
be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more
than one year.
To
the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a
disqualifying disposition, we will generally be entitled (subject to the
requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and
the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding business
expense deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition
occurs.
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Non-statutory Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards.
Non-statutory stock options and restricted
stock awards under the 2010 Plan generally have the following federal income
tax consequences.
There
are no tax consequences to the participant or to us by reason of the grant of a
non-statutory stock option. Upon acquisition of stock, the participant normally
will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the
stocks fair market value on the acquisition date over the purchase price.
However, to the extent the stock is subject to certain types of vesting
restrictions, the taxable event will be delayed until the vesting restrictions
lapse unless the participant elects to be taxed on receipt of the stock. With
respect to employees, we are generally required to withhold from regular wages
or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income
recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation,
we will generally be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the
taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.
Upon
disposition of the stock, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss
equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount
paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon
acquisition (or vesting) of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or
short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year.
Slightly different rules may apply to participants who acquire stock subject to
certain repurchase options or who are subject to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act.
Stock Appreciation Rights.
No taxable income is realized upon the
receipt of a stock appreciation right, but upon exercise of the stock
appreciation right the fair market value of the shares (or cash in lieu of
shares) received must be treated as compensation taxable as ordinary income to
the participant in the year of such exercise. Generally, with respect to
employees, we are required to withhold from the payment made on exercise of the
stock appreciation right or from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an
amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of
reasonableness, Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a reporting
obligation, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the
taxable ordinary income recognized by the participant.
Restricted Stock Units
. No taxable income is realized upon the receipt of a restricted stock
unit award, which represents a contractual obligation on our part to issue
stock to the participant on a date certain in the future if the participant has
been continuously employed or providing services to us. Upon issuance, the
stock may or may not be subject to a risk of forfeiture. At the time the stock
is issued (or, if later, at the time the stock is no longer subject to a risk
of forfeiture or is transferable), the participant realizes ordinary taxable
income equal to the value of the stock at that time. Subject to the requirement
of reasonableness, Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of reporting
obligations, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the
taxable ordinary income recognized by the participant.
Potential Limitation on Company Deductions.
Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction
to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain covered
employees in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to such covered
employee exceeds $1 million. It is possible that compensation attributable to
awards, when combined with all other types of compensation received by a
covered employee from us, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any
particular year.
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Certain kinds of compensation, including
qualified performance-based compensation, are disregarded for purposes of the
deduction limitation. In accordance with Treasury Regulations issued under
Section 162(m), compensation attributable to stock options and stock
appreciation rights will qualify as performance-based compensation if the award
is granted by a compensation committee comprised solely of outside directors
and either (i) the plan contains a per-employee limitation on the number of
shares for which such awards may be granted during a specified period, the
per-employee limitation is approved by the stockholders, and the exercise price
of the award is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of
grant, or (ii) the award is granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement
(as certified in writing by the compensation committee) of an objective
performance goal established in writing by the compensation committee while the
outcome is substantially uncertain, and the award is approved by stockholders.
Awards
to purchase restricted stock will qualify as performance-based compensation
under the Treasury Regulations only if (i) the award is granted by a
compensation committee comprised solely of outside directors, (ii) the award
is granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement of an objective
performance goal established in writing by the compensation committee while the
outcome is substantially uncertain, (iii) the compensation committee certifies
in writing prior to the granting of the award that the performance goal has
been satisfied and (iv) prior to the granting of the award, stockholders have
approved the material terms of the award (including the class of employees
eligible for such award, the business criteria on which the performance goal is
based, and the maximum amount or formula used to calculate the amount
payable upon attainment of the performance goal).
Corporate Changes
Adjustment Provisions
. Transactions not involving receipt of
consideration by us, such as certain mergers, consolidations, reorganizations,
stock dividends, or stock splits, may change the type, class and number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the 2010 Plan and outstanding awards. In that
event, the 2010 Plan will be appropriately adjusted as to the type, class and
the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the 2010 Plan, and
outstanding awards will be adjusted as to the type, class, number of shares and
price per share of Common Stock subject to such awards.
Change in
Control.
In the event of
certain specified organizational changes, including but not limited to (a) a
consolidation, merger, combination or reorganization of the Company, (b) the
sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, or
a dissolution or liquidation, of the Company, or (c) a transaction or series of
related transactions, and in each case where persons who were not shareholders
of the Company immediately prior to acquiring Company capital stock as part of
such transaction become the owners of capital stock of the Company that
represents more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the
Companys outstanding capital stock, then the Board of the Company, or the
board of any corporation assuming the Companys obligations, may take any one or
more actions as to outstanding awards, or as to a portion of any outstanding
award under the 2010 Plan, including:
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providing that such awards
will continue in existence with appropriate adjustments or modifications, if
applicable,
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providing that such awards
will be assumed, or equivalent awards substituted, by the acquiring or
succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof),
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upon written notice to the
participants, providing that all unexercised options, or other awards to the
extent they are unexercised or unvested, will terminate immediately prior to
the consummation of such transaction unless exercised within a specified
period,
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in the event of a
consolidation, merger, combination, reorganization or similar transaction
under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive a cash payment
per share surrendered in the transaction, making or providing for an
equivalent cash payment in exchange for the termination of such awards, or
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providing that all or any
outstanding awards shall become vested and exercisable in full or part (or
any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company shall immediately
lapse in full or part) at or immediately prior to such event.
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the
approval of the 2010 Plan.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL
OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL
We
are asking stockholders to approve a proposal to grant the Board discretionary
authority to effect a reverse stock split pursuant to one of two alternative
ratios. A reverse stock split would combine a whole number of outstanding
shares of our Common Stock into one share of Common Stock, thus reducing the
number of outstanding shares without any corresponding change in our par value
or market capitalization. The proposal calls for two possible reverse stock
split ratios: one-for-three, and one-for-four. If the proposal is approved, the
Board may in its discretion amend the Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
reverse stock split using one of these two ratios at any time prior to our next
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board will also have the sole discretion
not to effect any reverse stock split.
If
the Board of Directors determines, based on factors such as prevailing market
and other relevant conditions and circumstances and the trading prices of our
Common Stock at that time, that a reverse stock split is in our best interests
and in the best interests of our stockholders, it may effect, at such time as
it deems appropriate, the reverse stock splits at one of the two ratios without
further approval or authorization of our stockholders. The text of the proposed
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation that would effect the reverse
split is provided as
Exhibit B
to this Proxy Statement. The
text of the proposed amendment is subject to modifications to include such
changes as may be required by the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware
or as our Board of Directors deems necessary and advisable to effect the
reverse stock split.
Reasons for Board Recommendation
The
Board of Directors has determined that it would be advisable to obtain the
approval of our stockholders to effect a reverse stock split in order to
attempt to increase the trading price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital
Market on a per share basis. Under the continued listing requirements of The
Nasdaq Stock Market, the minimum closing bid price of our Common Stock must be
at least $1.00 per share. On December 17, 2009, we received a notice from The
Nasdaq Stock Market indicating that our Common Stock is subject to delisting
because our Common Stock closed below $1.00 per share for a period of 30
consecutive business days. The notice also provided that pursuant to Nasdaqs
Listing Rules, we have a 180 day grace period, until June 15, 2010, during
which we may regain compliance if the bid price of our Common Stock closes at
$1.00 per share or more for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. In the
event we do not regain compliance prior to the end of this grace period, Nasdaq
will provide us with written notification that our Common Stock is subject to
delisting. Alternatively, we may be eligible for an additional 180-day grace
period if we meet Nasdaqs initial listing standards (other than with respect
to minimum bid price) for The Nasdaq Capital Market. If the trading price for
our Common Stock should continue to be below $1.00 per share and we fail to
regain compliance, we may effect a reverse stock split in order to avoid being
delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. We anticipate that the implementation
of a reverse stock split would have the effect of increasing, proportionately,
the trading prices of our Common Stock, which could result in a share price
high enough to satisfy the Nasdaqs continued listing requirements.
26
We
believe that continued listing of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market
is in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders. We also
believe that inclusion of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market will
maintain the liquidity of our Common Stock and may minimize the spread between
the bid and asked prices quoted by market makers. Further, a continued
Nasdaq Capital Market listing may enhance our access to capital and increase
our flexibility in responding to anticipated capital requirements. We also believe
that prospective investors will view an investment in our company more
favorably if our shares continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and
that a low quoted market price per share may discourage potential new
investors. Moreover, we believe that the higher share price of our Common Stock
may meet investing guidelines for certain institutional investors and
investment funds. This may increase interest from institutional investors and
investment funds that may ultimately improve the trading liquidity of our
Common Stock.
If
the trading price for our Common Stock should continue to be below $1.00 per
share resulting in a possible delisting of our Common Stock from the Nasdaq
Capital Market, or if the Board of Directors otherwise determines that a
reverse stock split is in our best interests or in the best interests of our
stockholders, we would like the authority to proceed with a reverse stock split
without further authorization of our stockholders. Obtaining stockholder
approval of a reverse stock split at the annual meeting of stockholders will
enable us to avoid the additional time and expense of holding a special meeting
of stockholders should our Board of Directors determine that it is in our best
interest to implement a reverse stock split. As a result, our Board of
Directors will be able to determine the most appropriate time, if ever, to
effect a reverse stock split. In addition, we believe that, because it is not
possible to predict market conditions at the time the reverse stock split is to
be effected it is in the best interests of our stockholders if the Board of
Directors will be able to determine which one of the reverse stock split ratios
approved by our stockholders should be effected, based on factors such as
prevailing market and other relevant conditions and circumstances and the
trading prices of our Common Stock at that time. Finally, notwithstanding
approval of the reverse stock split proposal by our stockholders, our Board of
Directors may elect to delay or even abandon entirely a reverse stock split if
it determines such action is not in the best interests of our company or our
stockholders.
Potential Disadvantages of a Reverse Stock Split
Reduced
Market Capitalization
. As noted above, the principal purpose of the
reverse stock split would be to help maintain the closing price of our Common
Stock above the $1.00 threshold required by Nasdaqs continued listing
requirements. We cannot assure you that the reverse stock split will accomplish
this objective. While we expect that the reduction in our outstanding shares of
Common Stock will increase the market price of our Common Stock, we cannot
assure you that the reverse stock split will increase the market price of our
Common Stock by a multiple equal to the number of pre-split shares in the
reverse split ratio determined by the Board of Directors, which will be either
three or four, or result in any permanent increase in the market price, which
can be dependent upon many factors, including our business and financial
performance and prospects. Should the market price decline after the reverse
stock split, the percentage decline may be greater, due to the smaller number
of shares outstanding, than it would have been prior to the reverse stock
split. In some cases the stock price of companies that have effected reverse
stock splits has subsequently declined back to pre-reverse split levels.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the market price of our Common Stock
immediately after the effective date of the proposed reverse stock split will
be maintained for any period of time or that the ratio of post- and pre-split
shares will remain the same after the reverse stock split is effected, or that
the reverse stock split will not have an adverse effect on our stock price due
to the reduced number of shares outstanding after the reverse stock split. A
reverse stock split is often viewed negatively by the market and, consequently,
can lead to a decrease in our overall market capitalization. If the per share
price does not increase proportionately as a result of the reverse stock split,
then our overall market capitalization will be reduced.
27
Increased Transaction Costs
. The number of shares held by each
individual stockholder will be reduced if the reverse stock split is
implemented. This will increase the number of stockholders who hold less than a
round lot, or 100 shares. Typically, the transaction costs to stockholders
selling odd lots are higher on a per share basis. Consequently, the reverse
stock split could increase the transaction costs to existing stockholders in
the event they wish to sell all or a portion of their position.
Liquidity
. Although the Board believes that the
decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as a consequence
of the reverse stock split and the anticipated increase in the price of our
Common Stock could encourage interest in our Common Stock and possibly promote
greater liquidity for our stockholders, such liquidity could also be adversely
affected by the reduced number of shares outstanding after the reverse stock
split.
Authorized Shares; Future Financings
. Upon effectiveness of the reverse stock
split, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock that are not issued or
outstanding, as of December 31, 2009, would increase from approximately
16,405,900 shares to approximately 22,135,300 shares assuming a one-for-three
reverse stock split and to approximately 22,851,475 shares assuming a
one-for-four reverse stock split. As a result, we will have an increased number
of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Authorized but unissued
shares will be available for issuance, and we may issue such shares in
financings or otherwise. If we issue additional shares, the ownership interests
of our current stockholders may be diluted.
Fractional Shares
No
fractional shares of Common Stock would be issued as a result of a proposed
reverse stock split. Instead, stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to
receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares that does not
convert into a whole number of shares upon application of the applicable
reverse split ratio, upon surrender of the certificates representing such
fractional shares, will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the
product obtained by
multiplying
the number of shares of pre-reverse split Common Stock resulting in such
fraction by the average of the closing sales prices of such Common Stock as
reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market on the five trading days prior to the date
on which the Certificate Amendment is filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware. The result will be rounded to the nearest one cent.
Effect of Reverse Stock Split on Options
The
number of shares subject to outstanding options to purchase shares of our
Common Stock also would automatically be reduced in the same ratio as the
reduction in the outstanding shares. Correspondingly, the per share exercise
price of those options will be increased in direct proportion to the reverse
stock split ratio, so that the aggregate dollar amount payable for the purchase
of the shares subject to the options will remain unchanged. For example, assume
that a one-for-four reverse stock split is implemented and that an optionee
holds options to purchase 1,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.00 per share.
On the effectiveness of the one-for-four reverse stock split, the number of
shares subject to that option would be reduced to 250 shares and the exercise
price would be proportionately increased to $4.00 per share.
28
Effect of Reverse Stock Split on Warrants
The
agreements governing the outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our Common
Stock include provisions requiring adjustments to both the number of shares
issuable upon exercise of such warrants, and the exercise prices of such
warrants, in the event of a reverse stock split. For example, assume that a
one-for-four reverse stock split is implemented and a warrantholder holds a
warrant to purchase 10,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of
$0.001 per share. On the effectiveness of the reverse stock split, the number
of shares subject to that warrant would be reduced to 2,500 shares and the
exercise price would be proportionately increased to $0.004 per share.
Effect of Reverse Stock Split on Series D Convertible
Participating Preferred Stock
The
certificate of designations governing the rights of our outstanding shares of
Series D Preferred Stock provides for adjustments to the
conversion price of the Series D Preferred
Stock in the event of a
reverse stock split. For example, assume that a one-for-four reverse stock
split is implemented and a stockholder holds 1,000 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, which has a stated
value of $1.00 per share and a conversion price of $0.47 per share. Before the
effectiveness of the reverse stock split, these 1,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock would be convertible into 2,128 shares of Common
Stock. On the effectiveness of the reverse stock split, the conversion price of
the Series D Preferred Stock would be proportionately increased
to $1.88 per share. As a result, these 1,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock would be convertible into 532 shares of Common Stock.
Implementation and Effect of the Reverse Stock Split
If
approved by our stockholders at the annual meeting, and if our Board of Directors
determines that effecting a reverse stock split is in our best interests and
the best interests of our stockholders, our Board will, in its sole discretion,
select one of the reverse stock split ratios, based on market and other
relevant conditions and circumstances and the trading prices of our Common
Stock at that time. Following such determinations, the Board will effect the
reverse stock split by directing management to file the Certificate of
Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of
Delaware at such time as the Board has determined is the appropriate effective
time for the reverse stock split.
We
expect that following the reverse stock split we would have the same number of
stockholders and, except for the effect of cash payments for fractional shares
as described above, the completion of the reverse stock split would not affect
any stockholders proportionate equity interest in our company. By way of
example, a stockholder who owns a number of shares that prior to the reverse
stock split representing one-half of a percent of our outstanding shares of
Common Stock would continue to own one-half of a percent of our outstanding
shares of Common Stock after the reverse stock split.
Exchange of Stock Certificates
. Promptly after the effective time, you will
be notified that the reverse stock split has been effected. Our stock transfer
agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company LLC, whom we refer to as the
exchange agent, will implement the exchange of stock certificates representing
outstanding shares of Common Stock. You will be asked to surrender to the
exchange agent certificates representing your pre-split shares in exchange for
certificates representing your post-split shares in accordance with the procedures
to be set forth in a letter of transmittal which we will send to you. You will
not receive a new stock certificate representing your post-split shares until
you surrender your outstanding certificate(s) representing your pre-split
shares, together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal
to the exchange agent. We will not issue scrip or fractional shares, or
certificates for fractional shares, in connection with the reverse stock split.
Should you be entitled to receive fractional shares because you hold a number
of shares not evenly divisible by the relevant reverse split number selected by
our Board of Directors (which will be either three or four), you will be
entitled, upon surrender to the exchange agent of certificates representing
such shares, to a cash payment, without interest, in lieu of such fractional
shares. PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE OR SUBMIT ANY OF YOUR
CERTIFICATES UNTIL YOU ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO.
29
Effect of Failure to Exchange Stock Certificates
. Upon the filing of the amendment to our
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, each
certificate representing shares of our Common Stock outstanding prior to the
that time will, until surrendered and exchanged as described above, be deemed,
for all corporate purposes, to evidence ownership of the whole number of shares
of our Common Stock, and the right to receive, from us or the transfer agent,
the amount of cash for any fractional shares, into which the shares of our
Common Stock evidenced by such certificate have been converted by the reverse
stock split.
No Appraisals Rights
Under
the Delaware law, you will not be entitled to appraisal rights if we implement
the reverse stock split.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
following description of the material federal income tax consequences of the
reverse stock split is based on the Internal Revenue Code, applicable Treasury
Regulations promulgated under the Code, judicial authority and current
administrative rulings and practices as in effect on the date of this proxy
statement. Changes to the laws could alter the tax consequences described
below, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought and will not seek
an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding
the federal income tax consequences of any of the proposed reverse stock
splits. This discussion is for general information only and does not discuss
the tax consequences that may apply to special classes of taxpayers (e.g.,
non-resident aliens, broker/dealers or insurance companies). The state and
local tax consequences of the reverse stock split may vary significantly as to
each stockholder, depending upon the jurisdiction in which such stockholder
resides. We urge stockholders to consult their own tax advisors to determine
the particular consequences to them.
In
general, the federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split will
vary among stockholders depending upon whether they receive cash for fractional
shares or solely a reduced number of shares of our Common Stock in exchange for
their old shares of our Common Stock. We believe that because the reverse stock
split is not part of a plan to increase periodically a stockholders
proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits, the reverse stock
split will likely have the following federal income tax effects.
A
stockholder who receives solely a reduced number of shares of our Common Stock
will not recognize gain or loss. In the aggregate, such a stockholders basis
in the reduced number of shares of our Common Stock will equal the
stockholders basis in its old shares of Common Stock and the holding period of
the Common Stock received after the reverse stock split will include the
holding period of the Common Stock held prior to the reverse stock split
exchanged therefore. A stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional
share as a result of the reverse stock split will generally be treated as
having received the payment as a distribution in redemption of the fractional
share, as provided in section 302(a) of the Code, which distribution will be
taxed as either a distribution under Section 301 of the Code or an exchange to
such stockholder, depending on that stockholders particular facts and
circumstances. Generally, if such distribution is treated as an exchange to a
stockholder receiving such a payment, the stockholder should recognize gain or
loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and
the stockholders basis in the fractional share. If the fractional share was
held by the stockholder as a capital asset then the gain or loss will be taxed
as capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the
stockholders holding period in the fractional share is greater than one year.
In the aggregate, such a stockholders basis in the reduced number of shares of
our Common Stock will equal the stockholders basis in its old shares of Common
Stock decreased by the basis allocated to the fractional share for which such
stockholder is entitled to receive cash and the holding period of the Common
Stock received after the reverse stock split will include the holding period of
the Common Stock held prior to the reverse stock split exchanged therefore.
We
will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the reverse stock split.
30
The Board of Directors recommends
a vote FOR the proposal granting our Board of Directors the
discretion to amend our
Certificate of Incorporation to effect either a one-for-three or one-for-four reverse
split of our outstanding Common Stock without further approval of our
stockholders.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act),
requires our officers and Directors and persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of our equity securities (collectively, the Reporting
Persons) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and to furnish us with copies of these
reports. To the Companys knowledge, based solely on a review of the Forms 3,
4, and 5 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission during and with
respect to Fiscal 2009, there were no known failures to file a required Form 3,
4 or 5, and no known late filings of a required Form 3, 4 or 5 by any person
required to file such forms with respect to the Company pursuant to Section 16
of the Exchange Act other than one inadvertent late filing of a Form 4 by each
of Marc Particelli, John A. Ward, III, Herbert M. Gardner and James Feeney.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Principal Accounting Firm Fees
The
following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to and accrued by the
Company for Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 by Lazar Levine & Felix LLP and
Parente Randolph, LLC. Lazar Levine & Felix LLP was our principal
accounting firm for Fiscal 2008 and during Fiscal 2009 until its merger with
Parente Randolph, LLC in February 2009, at which time Parente Randolph, LLC
became our principal accounting firm. Parente Randolph, LLC subsequently
changed its name to ParenteBeard LLC. ParenteBeard is currently our principal accounting
firm and is expected to audit our financial statements for our fiscal year
ending March 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2009
|
|
Fiscal
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees (for audit of annual financial statements and review of
quarterly financial statements)
|
|
$
|
326,000
|
|
$
|
293,000
|
|
Tax Fees (for federal, state and local tax compliance and planning)
|
|
|
118,000
|
|
|
57,000
|
|
All Other Fees (1)
|
|
|
260,000
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
704,000
|
|
$
|
385,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
For Fiscal 2009, these fees were incurred in connection with the restatement of financial statements for prior
periods and our 401(k) plan, and for Fiscal 2008, these fees relate to the
audit of the 401(k) plan, and due diligence assistance in connection with an
acquisition.
31
We
expect a representative of ParenteBeard to be present at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. At the meeting, ParenteBeards representative will be afforded
the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires, and respond to
appropriate questions from stockholders present at the meeting.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The
Audit Committee has adopted a policy requiring pre-approval by the Audit
Committee of all services (audit and non-audit) to be provided to the Company
by its independent auditor. In accordance with that policy, the Audit Committee
approved all non-audit services rendered to us by ParenteBeard (and its
predecessors) in Fiscal 2009 and has determined that the provision of non-audit
services by such auditors was compatible with maintaining their independence.
EXPENSES
The
entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this Proxy
Statement, the enclosed Proxy, Annual Report on Form 10-K and other materials,
and the cost of soliciting Proxies with respect to the Annual Meeting, will be
borne by us. We will request banks and brokers to solicit their customers who
beneficially own shares listed of record in names of nominees, and will
reimburse those banks and brokers for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
such solicitations. The solicitation of Proxies by mail may be supplemented by
telephone by our officers and other regular employees, but no additional
compensation will be paid to such individuals.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, stockholders may present proper proposals
for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at the next annual
meeting by submitting their proposals to the Company in a timely manner. To be
included in the proxy statement for our next Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
stockholder proposals must be received by us at our principal executive office
no later than November 2, 2011 (the date in 2011 that is 120 days prior to the
release date of this Proxy Statement), provided that if the date of our next
Annual Meeting of Stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from March 25,
then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we begin to print and send
proxy materials for such meeting. Accordingly, if we hold our next Annual
Meeting in September 2010 (which, aside from the meeting scheduled for March
25, 2010, would be consistent with our past practice), to be included in the
proxy statement for such Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals should be
received by us at our principal executive office no later than April 30, 2010.
32
In
addition, our By-Laws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to
certain matters, including stockholder proposals not included in our proxy
statement, to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders. In general,
notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days
nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting and must contain specified information concerning the
matters to be brought before such meeting and concerning the stockholder
proposing such matters. To be presented at our next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, such a proposal must be received by us after December 24, 2010
but no later than January 24, 2011. However, if the date of our next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders is more than 30 days earlier or more than 30 days later
than the date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting (i.e., prior to
February 23, 2011 or after April 24, 2011), then notice must be received not
later than the close of business on the earlier of the 10th day following the
day on which notice of the date of the meeting is mailed or public disclosure
of the date of such meeting is made. If a stockholder who has notified us of
his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting does not appear
or send a qualified representative to present the proposal at such meeting, we
need not present the proposal for a vote at such meeting. All notices of
proposals by stockholders, whether or not to be included in the Companys proxy
materials, should be sent to the Secretary of the Company at 75 Ninth Avenue,
New York 10011.
|
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|
By Order
of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
James R. Haughton
|
|
Secretary
|
|
|
New York, New York
|
|
March 2, 2010
|
|
OUR ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009, AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE
SCHEDULES THERETO, BUT EXCLUDING EXHIBITS), IS BEING MAILED WITH THIS PROXY
STATEMENT. WE WILL PROVIDE TO EACH PERSON SOLICITED BY THIS PROXY STATEMENT, ON
THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON AND UPON PAYMENT OF A FEE OF $3.00 PER
EXHIBIT, A COPY OF ANY EXHIBIT TO THE ENCLOSED ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K. A
LIST OF EXHIBITS IS SET FORTH IN SECTION IV OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K.
REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF EXHIBITS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
mktg, inc
.
, 75 NINTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
10011, ATTENTION CORPORATE SECRETARY.
33
EXHIBIT A
mktg, inc.
2010 Equity Incentive Plan
Adopted by the Board of Directors: February
23, 2010
Approved by Stockholders: _______, 2010
Termination Date: February 22, 2020
(a)
Eligible Award Recipients.
The persons eligible to receive Awards are
Employees, Directors and Consultants.
(b)
Available Awards.
The Plan provides for the grant of the
following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options,
(iii) Stock Appreciation Rights (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted
Stock Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Stock Awards, (vii) Performance Cash
Awards, and (viii) Other Stock Awards.
(c)
Purpose.
The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the
services of the group of persons eligible to receive Awards as set forth in
Section 1(a), to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts
for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by
which such eligible recipients may be given an opportunity to benefit from
increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.
(a)
Administration by Board.
The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board
delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided
in Section 2(c).
(b)
Powers of Board.
The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations
of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i)
To determine from time to time (A) which of
the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Awards; (B) when and how
each Award shall be granted; (C) what type or combination of types of Award
shall be granted; (D) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be
identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to
receive cash or Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; (E) the number of
shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to
each such person; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.
(ii)
To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards
granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for
its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement
or in the written terms of a Performance Cash Award, in a manner and to the
extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii)
To settle all controversies regarding the
Plan and Awards granted under it.
A-1
(iv)
To accelerate the time at which an Award may
first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will
vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award
stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it
will vest.
(v)
To
suspend or terminate the Plan at
any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and
obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the
written consent of the affected Participant.
(vi)
To amend
the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including,
without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options
and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code
and/or to bring the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan into compliance
therewith, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However,
except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, to
the extent required by applicable law or listing requirements, stockholder
approval shall be required for any amendment of the Plan that either (A)
materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for
issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible
to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits
accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially reduces the price at
which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (D)
materially extends the term of the Plan, or (E) expands the types of Awards
available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided above, rights under
any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any
amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the
affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(vii)
To
submit any amendment to the Plan
for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan
intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 162(m) of the Code
regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on
corporate deductibility of compensation paid to Covered Employees, (B) Section
422 of the Code regarding incentive stock options or (C) Rule 16b-3.
(viii)
To approve forms of Award Agreements for use
under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but
not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant
than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified
limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion;
provided
however
, that except with respect to amendments that disqualify or
impair the status of an Incentive Stock Option, a Participants rights under
any Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company
requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant
consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations
of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more
Awards without the affected Participants consent if necessary to maintain the
qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option or to bring the Award
into compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(ix)
Generally, to exercise such powers and to
perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best
interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of
the Plan or Awards.
(x)
To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are
necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees,
Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the
United States.
A-2
(c)
Delegation to Committee.
(i)
General.
The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan
to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a
Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of
the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been
delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee
of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized
to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to
the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to
time by the Board. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently
administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the
Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii)
Section 162(m) and Rule 16b-3 Compliance.
The Committee may consist solely of two or
more Outside Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, or
solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
(d)
Effect of Boards Decision.
All determinations, interpretations and
constructions made by the Board in good faith shall not be subject to review by
any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(e)
Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards.
Neither the Board nor any Committee shall
have the authority to: (i) reduce the exercise price of any outstanding Options
or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, or (ii) cancel any outstanding
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that have an exercise price or strike
price greater than the current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in
exchange for cash or other Stock Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders
of the Company have approved such an action within twelve (12) months prior to
such an event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or Committee shall have
the authority, without the approval of the Companys stockholders, to cancel
outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that have an exercise price or
strike price greater than the current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in
exchange only for a nominal cash payment of consideration as necessary to
effect a cancellation of the Award, provided that such cancellation is not
treated as a repricing under United States generally accepted accounting
principles.
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3.
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Shares Subject to the Plan.
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(a)
Share Reserve.
Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock
Awards from and after the Effective Date shall not exceed Three Million
(3,000,000) shares.
(b)
Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.
If any shares of common stock issued pursuant
to a Stock Award are forfeited back to the Company because of the failure to
meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the
Participant, then the shares that are forfeited shall revert to and again
become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired by the
Company pursuant to Section 8(g) or as consideration for the exercise of an
Option shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c)
Incentive Stock Option Limit.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Section 3 and, subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to
Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options
shall be Three Million (3,000,000) shares of Common Stock.
A-3
(d)
Source of Shares.
The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but
unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company
on the open market or otherwise.
(a)
Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only
to employees of the Company or a parent corporation or subsidiary
corporation thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of
the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to
Employees, Directors and Consultants;
provided, however
, Nonstatutory Stock
Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who
are providing Continuous Service only to any parent of the Company, as such
term is defined in Rule 405, unless the stock underlying such Stock Awards is
treated as service recipient stock under Section 409A of the Code because the
Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction (such as a spin
off transaction) or unless such Stock Awards comply with the distribution
requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(b)
Ten Percent Stockholders.
A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock
Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten
percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is
not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.
(c)
Section 162(m) Limitation on Annual Grants.
Subject to the provisions of Section 9(a)
relating to Capitalization Adjustments, at such time as the Company may be
subject to the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, no
Participant shall be eligible to be granted during any calendar year Options,
Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Stock Awards whose value is determined by
reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least one
hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Award is
granted covering more than 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock.
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5.
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Provisions relating to Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights.
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Each
Option or SAR shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions
as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated
Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant,
and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall
be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of
Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock
Option, then the Option shall be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of
separate Options or SARs need not be identical;
provided, however
, that each Option Agreement or Stock
Appreciation Right Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of
provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise)
the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a)
Term.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders,
no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years
from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award
Agreement.
(b)
Exercise Price.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent
Stockholders, the exercise price (or strike price) of each Option or SAR shall
be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Option or SAR is
granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an
exercise price (or strike price) lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR if such
Option or SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for
another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction
and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if
applicable, 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of
Common Stock equivalents.
A-4
(c)
Purchase Price for Options.
The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise
of an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as
determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the
methods of payment set forth below. The Board shall have the authority to grant
Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or
otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options
that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of
payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:
(i)
by cash, check, bank draft or money order
payable to the Company;
(ii)
pursuant to a program developed under
Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the
issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of
cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to
pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii)
by delivery to the Company (either by actual
delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;
(iv)
if the option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option,
by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole
number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate
exercise price;
provided, however
, that the Company shall accept a
cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining
balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the
number of whole shares to be issued;
provided,
further,
that shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an
Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares
issuable upon exercise are reduced to pay the exercise price pursuant to the
net exercise, (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such
exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;
or
(v)
in any other form of legal consideration that
may be acceptable to the Board.
(d)
Exercise and Payment of a SAR.
To exercise any outstanding Stock
Appreciation Right, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to
the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right
Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation
distribution payable on the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be not
greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market
Value (on the date of the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right) of a number
of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in
which the Participant is vested under such Stock Appreciation Right, and with
respect to which the Participant is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on
such date, over (B) the strike price that will be determined by the Board at
the time of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation
distribution in respect to a Stock Appreciation Right may be paid in Common
Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of
consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock
Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right.
A-5
(e)
Transferability of Options and SARs.
The Board may, in its sole discretion,
impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board
shall determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the
contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs
shall apply:
(i)
Restrictions on Transfer.
An Option or SAR shall not be transferable except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime
of the Participant only by the Participant;
provided, however
, that the Board may, in
its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is
not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participants
request. Except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may
be transferred for consideration.
(ii)
Domestic Relations Orders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be transferred
pursuant to a domestic relations order;
provided, however
, that if an Option is an
Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock
Option as a result of such transfer.
(iii)
Beneficiary Designation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, by delivering
written notice to the Company, in a form provided by or otherwise satisfactory
to the Company and any broker designated by the Company to effect Option
exercises, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the
Participant, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and
receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.
In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the
Participants estate shall be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and
receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.
(f)
Vesting Generally.
The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR
may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or
may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and
conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may
be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the
Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or
SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or
SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to
which an Option or SAR may be exercised.
(g)
Termination of Continuous Service.
Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the
Company, if a Participants Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause
or upon the Participants death or Disability), the Participant may exercise
his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to
exercise such Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) but
only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3)
months following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service (or
such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Award Agreement), or
(ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award
Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does
not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in
the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.
A-6
(h)
Extension of Termination Date.
If the exercise of an Option or SAR
following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service (other than
for Cause or upon the Participants death or Disability) would be prohibited at
any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate
the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR
shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of three
(3) months (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the
Participants Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR
would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the
expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable
Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participants
Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an
Option or SAR following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service
(other than for Cause) would violate the Companys insider trading policy, then
the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a
period equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination
of the Participants Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option
or SAR would not be in violation of the Companys insider trading policy, or
(ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the
applicable Award Agreement.
(i)
Disability of Participant.
Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the
Company, if a Participants Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participants
Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the
extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of
the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of
time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such
termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified
in the Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or
SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous
Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the
time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or
SAR (as applicable) shall terminate.
(j)
Death of Participant.
Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the
Company, if (i) a Participants Continuous Service terminates as a result of
the Participants death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if
any) specified in the Award Agreement after the termination of the
Participants Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option
or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise
such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participants estate, by a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or
inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the
Participants death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i)
the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or
shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the
term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the
Participants death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the time
specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR
shall terminate.
(k)
Termination for Cause.
Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a
Participants Award Agreement, if a Participants Continuous Service is
terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the date on which
the event giving rise to the termination occurred, and the Participant shall be
prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of
such termination of Continuous Service.
A-7
(l)
Non-Exempt Employees.
No Option or SAR granted to an Employee who
is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938,
as amended, shall be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at
least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker
Economic Opportunity Act, (i) in the
event of the Participants death or Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate
Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or
substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participants
retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participants Award Agreement or
in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Companys then
current employment policies and guidelines), any such vested Options and
SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The
foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a
non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or
SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.
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6.
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Provisions of Stock Awards other
than Options and SARs.
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(a)
Restricted Stock Awards.
Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall
contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. To the
extent consistent with the Companys Bylaws, at the Boards election, shares of
Common Stock may be (x) held in book entry form subject to the Companys
instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award
lapse; or (y) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate shall be held in
such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of
Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms
and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be
identical;
provided, however
,
that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall conform to (through
incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or
otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i)
Consideration.
A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash,
check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to
the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration
(including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole
discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii)
Vesting.
Shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement
may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting
schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii)
Termination of Participants Continuous Service.
If a Participants Continuous Service
terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a
repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the
Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous
Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(iv)
Transferability.
Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock
Award Agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms
and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the
Board shall determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded
under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the
Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(v)
Dividends.
A
Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on
Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture
restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to
which they relate.
A-8
(b)
Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
Each
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall contain
such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and
conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to
time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreements need not be identical;
provided,
however
, that each Restricted Stock Unit
Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of the provisions
hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the
following provisions:
(i)
Consideration.
At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock
Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by
the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the
Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the
Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit
Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to
the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii)
Vesting.
At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board
may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted
Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(iii)
Payment.
A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of
shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in
any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in
the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
(iv)
Additional Restrictions.
At the time of the grant of a Restricted
Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such
restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common
Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a
time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(v)
Dividend Equivalents.
Dividend equivalents may be credited in
respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as
determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may
be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted
Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional
shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such
dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of
the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.
(vi)
Termination of Participants Continuous Service.
Except
as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement,
such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be
forfeited upon the Participants termination of Continuous Service.
(c)
Performance Awards.
(i)
Performance Stock Awards.
A Performance Stock Award is a Stock Award
that may vest or may be exercised contingent upon the attainment during a
Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Stock Award may,
but need not, require the completion of a specified period of Continuous
Service. The length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be
achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what
degree such Performance Goals have been attained shall be conclusively
determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Board may provide for
or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify, may permit a
Participant to elect for, the payment of any Performance Stock Award to be
deferred to a specified date or event. In addition, to the extent permitted by
applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that
cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.
A-9
(ii)
Performance Cash Awards
. A Performance Cash Award is a cash award
that may be paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of
certain Performance Goals. A Performance Cash Award may also require the
completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. At the time of grant of
a Performance Cash Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance
Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether
and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained shall be
conclusively determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Board may
provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify,
may permit a Participant to elect for, the payment of any Performance Cash
Award to be deferred to a specified date or event. The Committee may specify
the form of payment of Performance Cash Awards, which may be cash or other
property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her
Performance Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Board may specify, to be
paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.
(iii)
Section 162(m) Compliance.
Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with the requirements of
Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to an Award intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation thereunder, the Committee shall establish the
Performance Goals applicable to, and the formula for calculating the amount
payable under, the Award no later than the earlier of (a) the date ninety (90)
days after the commencement of the applicable Performance Period, or (b) the
date on which twenty-five (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, and in
any event at a time when the achievement of the applicable Performance Goals
remains substantially uncertain. Prior to the payment of any compensation under
an Award intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section
162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall certify the extent to which any
Performance Goals and any other material terms under such Award have been
satisfied (other than in cases where such relate solely to the increase in the
value of the Common Stock). Notwithstanding satisfaction of any completion of
any Performance Goals, to the extent specified at the time of grant of an Award
to covered employees within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the
number of Shares, Options, cash or other benefits granted, issued, retainable
and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Performance
Goals may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of such further
considerations as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(d)
Other Stock Awards.
Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole
or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the
appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise
price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock
Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this
Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have sole and
complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at
which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common
Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other
Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.
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7.
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Covenants of the Company.
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(a)
Availability of Shares.
During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep available
at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to
satisfy such Stock Awards.
(b)
Securities Law Compliance.
The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or
agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to
grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise
of the Stock Awards;
provided, however
, that this undertaking
shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan,
any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such
Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from
any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the
Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under
the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue
and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such
authority is obtained. A Participant shall not be eligible for the grant of a
Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock
Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable
securities law.
A-10
(c)
No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes.
The Company shall have no duty or obligation
to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising
such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to
warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of
a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be
exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax
consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.
(a)
Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock.
Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.
(b)
Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards.
Corporate action constituting a grant by the
Company of a Stock Award to any Participant shall be deemed completed as of the
date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board,
regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock
Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.
(c)
Stockholder Rights.
No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of
the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to
such Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all
requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, if
applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Stock
Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
(d)
No Employment or Other Service Rights.
Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award
Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any
Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to
continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the
time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an
Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice
and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the
terms of such Consultants agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii)
the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an
Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in
which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
(e)
Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation.
To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder
during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates)
exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions
thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were
granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any
contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
A-11
(f)
Investment Assurances.
The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or
acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances
satisfactory to the Company as to the Participants knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative
reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in
financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating,
alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of
exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to
the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to
the Stock Award for the Participants own account and not with any present
intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing
requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be
inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition
of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any
particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that
such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable
securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place
legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems
necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws,
including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common
Stock.
(g)
Withholding Obligations.
Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company
may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax
withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by
a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash
payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common
Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the
Award;
provided,
however,
that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value
exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such
lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as
a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an
Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise
payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in
the Award Agreement.
(h)
Electronic Delivery.
Any reference herein to a written agreement or document shall
include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the
Companys intranet.
(i)
Deferrals.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole
discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of
cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award
may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral
elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in
accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the
Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an
employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is
authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual
percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments,
following the Participants termination of Continuous Service, and implement
such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and
in accordance with applicable law.
(j)
Compliance with Section 409A.
To the extent that the Board determines that
any Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award
Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions
necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the
Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be
interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement
specifically provides otherwise), if the Shares are publicly traded and a
Participant holding an Award that constitutes deferred compensation under
Section 409A of the Code is a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A
of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made upon a separation
from service before a date that is six (6) months following the date of
such Participants separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the
Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the
date of the Participants death.
A-12
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9.
|
Adjustments upon Changes in Common
Stock; Other Corporate Events.
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(a)
Capitalization Adjustments.
In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall
appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number
of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es)
and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of
Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), (iii) the class(es) and
maximum number of securities that may be awarded to any person pursuant to
Sections 4(c) and 6(c)(i), and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities and
price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall
make such adjustments, and its
determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(b)
Dissolution or Liquidation.
Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the
event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock
Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of
Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Companys right of
repurchase) shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such
dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the
Companys repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be
repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the
holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service,
provided, however
, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all
Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to
repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously
expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but
contingent on its completion.
(c)
Corporate Transaction.
The following provisions shall apply to
Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided
in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement
between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of the Stock Award or
unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a
Stock Award. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any
other provision of the Plan, the Board shall take one or more of the following
actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion
of the Corporate Transaction:
(i)
arrange for the surviving corporation or
acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent
company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock
award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire
the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the
Corporate Transaction);
(ii)
arrange for the assignment of any
reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common
Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or
acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent
company);
(iii)
accelerate the vesting of the Stock Award
(and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a
date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board
shall determine (or, if the Board shall not determine such a date, to the date
that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Corporate
Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if
applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction;
A-13
(iv)
arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;
(v)
cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the
Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective
time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if
any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and
(vi)
make
a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess,
if any, of (A) the value of the
property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock
Award, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with
such exercise.
The
Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards
or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants.
(d)
Change in Control.
A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and
exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the
Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other
written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but
in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration shall occur.
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10.
|
Termination or Suspension of the
Plan.
|
(a)
Plan Term.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless terminated
sooner by the Board, the Plan shall automatically terminate on the day before
the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted
by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the
Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or
after it is terminated.
(b)
No Impairment of Rights.
Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and
obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the
written consent of the affected Participant.
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11.
|
Effective Date of Plan.
|
This Plan shall become
effective on the Effective Date.
The
law of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the
construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that
states conflict of laws rules.
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13.
|
Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following definitions shall apply to the
capitalized terms indicated below:
|
(a)
Affiliate
means, at the time of determination, any
parent or subsidiary of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405
of the Securities Act. The Board shall have the authority to determine the time
or times at which parent or subsidiary status is determined within the
foregoing definition.
A-14
(b)
Award
means a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award.
(c)
Award Agreement
means a written agreement between the
Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.
(d)
Board
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)
Capitalization Adjustment
means any change that is made
in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the
Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt
of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other
than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend,
combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any
similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall
not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(f)
Cause
shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such
term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term shall mean, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence
of any of the following events that has a material negative impact on the
business or reputation of the Company: (i) such Participants attempted
commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the
Company; (ii) such Participants intentional, material violation of any
contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any
statutory duty owed to the Company; (iii) such Participants unauthorized use
or disclosure of the Companys confidential information or trade secrets; or
(iv) such Participants gross misconduct. The determination that a termination
of the Participants Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause
shall be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the
Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or
without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant
shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the
Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
(g)
Change in Control
means the occurrence, in a single
transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the
following events:
(i)
any
Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Companys then
outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or
similar transaction. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account
of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B)
on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any
affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Companys
securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary
purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of
equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any
Exchange Act Person (the
Subject
Person
) exceeds the
designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a
result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company
reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control
would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the
acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share
acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting
securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred,
increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the
Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in
Control shall be deemed to occur;
A-15
(ii)
there is consummated a merger, consolidation
or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and,
immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar
transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not
Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities
representing more than fifty percent
(50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity
in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined
outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger,
consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same
proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii)
there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive
license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale,
lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv)
individuals who, on the date the Plan is
adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the
Incumbent Board
) cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
provided,
however
, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for
election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority
vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new
member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the
Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in
Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction
effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company,
and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an
individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the
Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards
subject to such agreement;
provided, however
, that if no definition of Change in
Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written
agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.
(h)
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(i)
Committee
means a committee of one or more Directors to
whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(j)
Common Stock
means the common stock of the Company.
(k)
Company
means mktg, inc., a Delaware corporation.
(l)
Consultant
means any person, including an advisor, who
is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory
services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of
the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services.
However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service,
shall not cause a Director to be considered a Consultant for purposes of the
Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form
S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register
either the offer or the sale of the Companys securities to such person.
A-16
(m)
Continuous Service
means that the Participants service
with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or
Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which
the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee,
Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant
renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of
the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate
a Participants Continuous Service;
provided, however,
if the Entity for which
a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as
determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participants Continuous
Service shall be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases
to qualify as an Affiliate. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the
chief executive officer of the Company, in that partys sole discretion, may
determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the
case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or Chief Executive
Officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or
(ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence shall be treated as
Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent
as may be provided in the Companys leave of absence policy, in the written
terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the
Participant, or as otherwise required by law.
(n)
Corporate Transaction
means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related
transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i)
the consummation of a sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, in
its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries;
(ii)
the consummation of a sale or other
disposition of at least ninety percent
(90%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii)
the consummation of a merger, consolidation
or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving
corporation; or
(iv)
the consummation of a merger, consolidation
or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation
but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger,
consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of
the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether
in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
(o)
Covered Employee
shall have the meaning provided in
Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.
(p)
Director
means a member of the Board.
(q)
Disability
means, with respect to a Participant, the
inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be
expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for
a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in
Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and shall be determined by
the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted
under the circumstances.
A-17
(r)
Effective Date
means the effective date of
this Plan document, which is the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of
the Company held in March 2010 provided this Plan is approved by the Companys
stockholders at such meeting.
(s)
Employee
means any person employed by the Company or
an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for
such services, shall not cause a Director to be considered an Employee for
purposes of the Plan.
(t)
Entity
means a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other entity.
(u)
Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v)
Exchange Act Person
means any natural person, Entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that Exchange
Act Person shall not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company,
(ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit
plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such
securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders
of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of
stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the
Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power
of the Companys then outstanding securities.
(w)
Fair Market Value
means, as of any date, the value of
the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i)
If the Common Stock is listed on any
established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market
Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such
stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the
greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination,
as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii)
Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if
there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of
determination, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on
the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii)
In the absence of such markets for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board in good faith and
in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(x)
Incentive Stock Option
means an option granted pursuant
to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
A-18
(y)
Non-Employee Director
means a Director who either
(i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does
not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an
Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than
as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required
under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act
(
Regulation S-K
)),
does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure
would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a
business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item
404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a non-employee
director for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(z)
Nonstatutory Stock Option
means any option granted
pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option.
(aa)
Officer
means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(bb)
Option
means an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant
to the Plan.
(cc)
Option Agreement
means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option
grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan.
(dd)
Optionholder
means a person to whom an Option is
granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Option.
(ee)
Other Stock Award
means an award based in whole or in part by
reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and
conditions of Section 6(d).
(ff)
Other Stock Award Agreement
means a written agreement between the Company
and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(gg)
Outside Director
means a Director who either (i) is not
a current employee of the Company or an affiliated corporation (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code),
is not a former employee of the Company or an affiliated corporation who
receives compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a
tax-qualified retirement plan) during the taxable year, has not been an officer
of the Company or an affiliated corporation, and does not receive
remuneration from the Company or an affiliated corporation, either directly
or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise
considered an outside director for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(hh)
Own,
Owned,
Owner,
Ownership
A person or Entity shall be deemed to
Own, to have Owned, to be the Owner of, or to have acquired Ownership
of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any
contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares
voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with
respect to such securities.
A-19
(ii)
Participant
means a person to whom an Award is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Stock Award.
(jj)
Performance Cash Award
means an award of cash granted
pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(ii).
(kk)
Performance Criteria
means the one or more criteria that the
Board shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a
Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish
such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the
following as determined by the Board: (i) earnings (including earnings per
share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation;
(iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iv)
total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholders equity;
(vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price;
(viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) income (before or after taxes);
(x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit;
(xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in
revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii)
improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xiii) economic value
added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash
flow per share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv)
implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer
satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures;
(xxiii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx)
workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income; (xxxii)
billings; and (xxxiii) to the extent that an Award is not intended to comply
with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by the
Board.
(ll)
Performance Goals
means, for a Performance Period, the one or
more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the
Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis,
with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business
segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or
more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices.
Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time
the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the
Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board
shall appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the
attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to
exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude
exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated
Performance Goals; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted
accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments
to corporate tax rates; and (5) to exclude the effects of any extraordinary
items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. In
addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the
compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and
to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use
for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may
result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as
specified in the Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance
Cash Award.
(mm)
Performance Period
means the period of time selected by the
Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be
measured for the purpose of determining a Participants right to and the
payment of a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award. Performance Periods may
be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.
A-20
(nn)
Performance Stock Award
means a Stock Award granted
under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(i).
(oo)
Plan
means this mktg, inc.2010Equity Incentive Plan.
(pp)
Restricted Stock Award
means an award of shares of Common Stock
which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).
(qq)
Restricted Stock Award Agreement
means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and
conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award
Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(rr)
Restricted Stock Unit Award
means a right to receive shares of Common
Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).
(ss)
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
means a written agreement between the Company
and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and
conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit
Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(tt)
Rule 16b-3
means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(uu)
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(vv)
Stock Appreciation Right
or
SAR
means a right to receive the appreciation on Common
Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.
(ww)
Stock Appreciation Right Agreement
means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and
conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right
Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(xx)
Stock Award
means any right to receive Common Stock
granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory
Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock
Appreciation Right, a Performance Stock Award or any Other Stock Award.
(yy)
Stock Award Agreement
means a written agreement between the Company
and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant.
Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
A-21
(zz)
Subsidiary
means,
with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of
whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation
shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any
contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and
(ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the
Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or
participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent
(50%).
(aaa)
Ten Percent Stockholder
means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the
Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
A-22
EXHIBIT B
PROPOSED
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
mktg, inc.
Under Section 242 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law
Pursuant
to the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, the undersigned does hereby certify that:
FIRST:
The name of the corporation is
mktg, inc.. (hereinafter referred to as the Corporation).
SECOND:
The Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation is hereby amended by inserting the following as the second
paragraph of Article FOURTH:
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Effective
as of the filing of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation containing the provisions of this paragraph (the Reverse
Split Effective Time), the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (the
Outstanding Shares) shall automatically and without further action be
consolidated and combined into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock
(Resulting Shares), without any change in the par value of the Common
Stock, so as to effect a [one-for-three] [one-for-four]
1
reverse split of
the Outstanding Shares (the Reverse Stock Split) whereby for every
[three] [four]
1
Outstanding Shares held by any one beneficial owner
there shall be and remain one Resulting Share. The excess of the par value of
the Outstanding Shares over the par value of the Resulting Shares shall be
credited to additional paid-in capital. From and after the Reverse Split
Effective Time, all certificates that formerly evidenced Outstanding Shares
shall evidence instead the appropriate reduced number of Resulting Shares,
except that if any beneficial owner of Outstanding Shares would be entitled
by reason of the Reverse Stock Split to receive a fractional Resulting Share,
such owner shall receive cash in amount of the fair market value of such
fractional Resulting Share as of the Reverse Split Effective Time in lieu of
a such fractional Resulting Share.
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THIRD:
This amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors and
by a majority of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon
in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the undersigned has
executed this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation this ____ day of _________, 2010.
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1
As applicable, subject to the determination of the Board in its discretion.
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B-1
PROXY
mktg, inc.
75 Ninth Avenue, New York, New York 10011
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MARCH 25, 2010
The
undersigned hereby appoints Marc C. Particelli and Charles Horsey, or either of
them, as Proxy or Proxies of the undersigned with full power of substitution to
attend and to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of mktg, inc. (the Company) to be held on March 25, 2010, and at any
adjournments thereof, and to vote thereat the number of shares of stock of the
Company the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present, in
accordance with the instructions set forth on this proxy card. Any proxy
heretofore given by the undersigned with respect to such stock is hereby
revoked.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
mktg, inc.
MARCH 25, 2010
PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
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INTERNET
Access
www.voteproxy.com
and follow the on-screen instructions. Have your proxy card available when you
access the web page, and use the Company Number and Account Number shown on
your proxy card.
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TELEPHONE
-
Call toll-free
1-800-PROXIES
(1-800-776-9437) in
the United States or
1-718-921-8500
from foreign countries
from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy
card available when you cal and use the Company Number and Account Number
shown on your proxy card.
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Vote online/phone until
11:59 PM EST the day before the meeting.
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MAIL
Sign,date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as
possible.
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IN PERSON
You may vote your
shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting.
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COMPANY NUMBER
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ACCOUNT NUMBER
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NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL
:
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card
are available at
- http://investor.mktg.com/financials.cfm
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ê
Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided
IF
you are not voting via telephone or the Internet.
ê
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
AND FOR PROPOSALS 1 THROUGH 3.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK
YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
x
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1.
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Election Of Directors:
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2.
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For the approval of
granting the Board of Directors discretionary authority to amend the
Companys Certificate of Incorporation to effect either a one-for-four
reverse stock split, or a one-for-three reverse stock split, as determined by
the Board of Directors
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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NOMINEES:
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¡
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Marc
C. Particelli
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
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¡
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Charles Horsey
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FOR ALL
NOMINEES
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¡
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Elizabeth
Black
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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¡
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Richard
L. Feinstein
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3.
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For the approval
of the Companys 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.
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o
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o
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
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¡
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Gregory J. Garville
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(See instructions below)
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¡
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Arthur G. Murray
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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4.
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On such other matters as
may properly come
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o
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o
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before the meeting.
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INSTRUCTION:
To withhold
authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and
fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:
=
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If no specification is
made, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3 listed above.
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To change the address on
your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in
the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s)
on the account may not be submitted via this method.
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o
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Signature of Stockholder:
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Date:
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Signature of Stockholder:
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Date:
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Note:
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Please sign exactly as your
name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder
should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation,
please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title
as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
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