AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.23
This
Agreement is made and entered into as of March
1,
2006
and
shall continue until June 28, 2006. The agreement will be reviewed for further
consideration on or before June 28, 2006. Upon renewal, the agreement will
be
reviewed from that point forward for further consideration every 60 days until
a
new monthly retainer is agreed upon.
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
Advertising, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx”) a Texas
corporation with its principal place of business at 000 X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xx
Xxxx, Xxxxx 00000 agrees to provide services to Valcent
Products, Inc - Nova Skin Care line
(hereinafter referred to as client) with its principal place of business at
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X, Xx Xxxx, XX 00000
for such
projects for the organization as may be agreed upon from time to
time.
1.
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ADVERTISING
SERVICES
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X.
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
agrees to furnish to client all of the services customarily furnished
by
advertising agencies in support of marketing activities. Without
limiting
the foregoing, Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x said services shall include input to the
development of marketing plans and strategies, possible creation
of
advertising, collateral, point-of-sale and direct mail, and other
services
necessary to the preparation and execution, of the complete marketing
plans, and purchase of the space, time or other means to be used
for
client advertising, endeavoring to secure the most advantageous rates
available.
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X.
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x
services shall also include audit of all advertising placed, including
verification of lineage actually run, examination of quality of
reproduction and of positioning of printed advertisements, audit
of radio
and television affidavits of performance, and audit of all invoices
for
media, talent and production, and sales promotion program
costs.
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2. |
COMPENSATION
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A. |
Retainer
- Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will provide Valcent Products, Inc- Nova Skin Care
line
with full agency services for a minimum of 263 hours monthly at an
hourly
rate of $110.10 for a minimum of $28,957. Monthly retainer to be
paid as
follows: $15,000 monthly fee and one time purchase of Valcent Products,
Inc stock (Symbol CA: NTT.H) in an amount not to exceed $55,828.
Any
additional authorized hours will be billed at a rate of $110.10 an
hour.
Stock purchase to be finalized no later than March 15, 2006. The
following
details the services to be offered:
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1.
|
Account
Planning (for existing industry-specific research and customer
information)
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2.
|
Account
Administration (for strategic oversight, day-to-day account management
and
client contact for all agency related assignments). The service will
represent no more than 25% of the monthly
work.
|
3.
|
Concept
Development (for developing creative concepts for specific assignments,
including consumer and trade
advertising).
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4.
|
Art
Direction (for developing visual creative and incorporating copy
for
presentation).
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5.
|
Production
of mechanical art, including art direction, and production of mechanical
materials and devising of specifications, print, outdoor and electronic
services/products.
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6.
|
Active
participation of creative team in client
meetings.
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1
B. |
In
addition to the compensation as described in A above it
is
understood that Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will xxxx client for its expenses in
connection with postage, outside research, and pre-approved Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
travel, personnel subsistence in connection with specific advertisements
and commercials. Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will xxxx client for all approved
out-of-pocket expenses at net cost.
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C. |
Should
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx purchase media, Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will xxxx client in full
the
amount of
invoices, as follows:
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1.
|
Broadcast
Billing - Spot: upon agreement of plan and rate and prior to
placement.
|
2.
|
Broadcast
Billing - Network: upon agreement of plan and rate and prior to
placement.
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3.
|
Print
Media Billing - Newspaper, and Out-of-Home: upon agreement of plan
and
rate and prior to placement.
|
4.
|
Print
Media Billing - Magazine: upon agreement of plan and rate and prior
to
placement.
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5.
|
Outside
Production Billing: Upon receipt of a signed estimate from client,
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will xxxx client based on only the invoices received
and due
dates of same. These services will include print and broadcast production
professional translation services and any other specialty work
pre-approved by the client.
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D. |
Procedures
for Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx payments to vendors are as
follows:
|
1.
|
Broadcast
- Spot Vendors: vendor invoices are received by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx in
the month
following the broadcast month, with an invoice date of the last day
of the
broadcast month. Some stations may xxxx weekly or electronically.
Payments
are due to the stations thirty (30) days from invoice date. For invoices
without discrepancies, Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will pay stations within thirty
(30)
days of invoice date.
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2.
|
Broadcast
- Network Vendors: vendor invoices are received by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
in the
month following the broadcast month. Major networks require payment
from
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx on the 25th
and last day of the month following the broadcast month. Checks to
other
stations are mailed on the last day of the month following
broadcast.
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3.
|
Print
Media Vendors: vendor invoices are received by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx in the
month
after the insertion. If there is a cash discount, undisputed invoices
are
paid within ten (10) days of
invoice date. Other undisputed invoices are paid within thirty (30)
days
of invoice date.
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4.
|
Vendors:
undisputed vendor invoices are paid within thirty (30) days of invoice
date.
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3. |
ACCESS
|
Client
has the right at all reasonable times and with reasonable notice of not less
than thirty (30) days to
examine Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x records of expenditure and internal expenses.
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx agrees to retain all records covering expenditures and expenses
hereunder for a minimum of three years.
4. |
COPYRIGHT
AND TRADEMARK RIGHTS
|
In
the
event that Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx prepares or procures material for client that is
subject to copyright and/or trademark protection and client desires that a
copyright and/or trademark be claimed, such copyright and/or trademark shall
be
in the name of client.
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5. |
INDEMNIFICATION
AND INSURANCE
|
A.
|
The
indemnification obligations created in this paragraph 6 in each case
require the Indemnitor to defend, indemnify, and hold
the Indemnitee free and harmless from all costs, expenses, liability,
claims, debts, contracts, actions and causes of action (hereinafter
collectively called “Claims”) arising out of, attributable to, or based on
the particular events(s) or situation(s) giving rise to the
indemnification. The indemnification obligations created in this
paragraph
6 shall apply to work undertaken while this Agreement is in effect
and
shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
|
B.
|
Client
hereby agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx harmless
against all Claims based on the
following:
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1. The
accuracy of data and/or statements provided by client;
2.
|
Alleged
violations of personal or property rights of anyone who client assured
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx in writing had released his or her personal or property
rights with respect to the particular advertising element
involved;
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3.
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Client’s
failure to perform its obligations hereunder on account of client’s sole
negligence or intentional
misconduct.
|
X.
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
hereby agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold client harmless against
all
Claims based on the following:
|
1.
|
Subject
to paragraph 6B(2) above, copyright infringement or invasion of privacy
or
the use of any advertising element which allegedly violates the personal
or property rights of anyone;
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2.
|
Communications
made in any advertising element which, while technically accurate,
are
based on the data or statements provided by client, are, nonetheless,
unlawfully or improperly depicted in the particular advertising element
involved on account of the negligence of Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and with the
absence of negligence on the part of
client;
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3.
|
Violations
of Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x performance obligations hereunder which violations have
not been the result of client’s sole negligence or intentional
misconduct.
|
X.
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
and client will both take all reasonable precautions to assure that
all
advertising services, materials and copy supplied to client shall
not
violate any laws or orders or regulations of any governmental
agency
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6. |
NONCOMPETITION
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
shall not hereafter accept appointment as an advertising agency for any
manufacturer or distributor of any products competing with any products of
Client assigned to Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx hereunder without full discussion with and
written agreement from client.
7. |
TERMINATION
|
A.
|
This
Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time upon at least
90
days’ prior written notice mailed to the other. Such notice will be deemed
given as of the date of mailing certified postage pre-paid. Client
will be
responsible for those costs and expenses of Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx after the
termination date only if such obligations were incurred prior to
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x receipt of such termination notice and Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx has
used its best efforts but has not been able to have such obligation
extinguished or cancelled; or if client has given written authorization
to
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx to incur the cost after the date of the notice of
termination.
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3
B.
|
The
rights, duties and responsibilities of Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and client shall
continue in full force and effect during this period of notice and
until
completion of any authorized activity, including the completion of
plans
for and the placing of advertisements client has authorized Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
to place in any media whose closing dates fall within or after the
30-day
notice period.
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C.
|
Upon
termination of this Agreement, Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx shall transfer to client
all
property and materials previously charged or chargeable to client
and all
contracts and reservation for time, space, talent, and other advertising
adjuncts entered into by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx for client, and all short
rates and
rebates which are for the account of client. Where permitted, client
will
assume all obligations and responsibilities of all such transferred
contracts, reservations and noncancelable commitments entered into
by
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx on behalf of client.
|
X.
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
will also return to client all information provided by client on
client’s
sales or marketing data and market research information. All plans,
preliminary outlines, artwork, sketches, copy, films (including television
commercials), photographs, manuscripts, and any other property and
materials which are produced by reason of the terms of this Agreement
shall be the property of client. Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx further agrees not
to
disclose confidential information to persons other than Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
personnel or agents without client’s prior written consent, or unless said
confidential information enters the public domain without fault of
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and without provision for confidentiality being made
by
client before such information enters the public domain or unless
required
to do so by law in which case Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will notify client in
advance
of disclosure and will work with client to present required disclosure
should client decide to do so.
|
Furthermore,
client will determine in its sole discretion what information is confidential
and Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will not reveal any information possibly of a sensitive or
proprietary nature until client has determined such information not to be
confidential.
E.
|
Client
agrees to reimburse Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx for production costs of any uncompleted
work previously authorized by client. Such uncompleted work will
be
returned to client and client will have the right to complete (or
have
completed on its behalf) and use such material and ideas in its future
advertising without further obligation to
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx.
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F.
|
All
print, time, and talent contracts and the supervision of production
of
radio or TV properties will be assigned by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx to the new
agency
or to client, if client so elects, not later than on the last day
of the
90-day notice period, so that a normal transition may take place.
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx agrees to cooperate with client and the new agency
to effect
an efficient transition in
responsibilities.
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8. |
XXXXXXX\XXXXX
- CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
|
Nothing
herein shall be construed to establish an employer-employee relationship between
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and client. Except for media space and time that Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
purchases as principal to carry client’s advertising, purchase of materials,
services, and rights on behalf of client will be made by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx, as
agent
for client and, as between client and Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx, the materials, services
and
rights so acquired will be the property of client.
9. |
DUTIES
ON THIRD PARTY
CONTRACTS
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x
agreements with the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists provide for Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx to be ultimately liable
to performers for payments that may become due because of use of commercials
by
client’s dealers. Therefore, client will indemnify Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx against any
loss and/or expenses Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx may sustain resulting from any claim, suit
or
proceeding made or brought against Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx for use of any Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
produced commercials by client, client’s employees, dealers, authorized agents
or by anyone else who obtained the materials from client when such claim, suit
or proceeding arises out of Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx’x obligations under the applicable
union codes or contracts relating to the production of commercials made pursuant
to this Agreement and will not terminate with the termination of this
Agreement.
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10. |
COMPLIANCE
WITH UNION AGREEMENTS
|
Client
understands that Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx is a signatory to collective bargaining
agreements
with the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and
Radio
Artists, and the American Federation of Musicians, and that the use of
talent
on
client’s behalf will be subject to the terms of such agreements. Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
and client further recognize that the terms of such agreements may at times
be
subject to differing interpretations, and that Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx will take the
position most favorable to the client. Client therefore agrees to indemnify
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
against any claims from talent and/or labor organizations relating to
the
interpretation of any of such collective bargaining agreements, whether such
claims
are asserted during or after the term. However, client reserves the right to
negotiate with non-union actors, artists and musicians should they deem it
necessary.
11. |
TRADEMARK
STANDARDS
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
will adhere to client’s trademark standards and policies which are in effect or
which may be prescribed from time to time, and will ensure that all advertising
has been reviewed by client for proper trademark use.
12. |
OWNERSHIP
|
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
shall use its best efforts to have all advertising materials prepared or
procured by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and accepted by client become client’s exclusive
property. It is understood that there may be limitations contained in agreements
with third parties which limit the use or ownership of said advertising
materials. Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx shall inform client of all such
limitations.
Any
advertising materials prepared or proposed by Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx but not produced
and
published or broadcast within the term of this Agreement and not provided for
under Article 8 shall remain the property of Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx which shall have
the
right to use same as it sees fit, including use for any other clients, provided
such use shall not involve the release of any confidential information regarding
client’s business or methods of operation.
13. |
WAIVER
|
No
waiver
of any provision or of any breach of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver
of
all other provisions or any other breach and no such waiver shall be effective
unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative. In the event
that any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or otherwise
unenforceable, such provision shall be severed, and the balance of the Agreement
shall continue in full force and effect.
14. |
NOTICE
|
All
notices which either party is required or may desire to give the other party
hereunder shall be given by addressing the communication to the address set
forth hereunder and may be given by registered mail, telex, cable or personal
delivery. Such notices shall be deemed given on the date of receipt if given
by
mail or personal delivery, or after prepaid deposit of message with cable
company if telexed or cabled:
A. To
Client
at: Valcent
Products, Inc
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X
Xx
Xxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx
Xxxxx
Director
of Sales &
Marketing
5
B. To
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx at: Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
Advertising, Inc.
000
X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xx
Xxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx
President
/ Chief Executive Officer
With
a
copy to: Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Attorney
15. |
ASSIGNMENT
|
This
Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent
of the other party.
16. |
GOVERNING
LAW
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
state of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
17. |
ARBITRATION
|
Any
controversy or claim ("Claim"), whether based on contract, tort, statute or
other legal or equitable theory (including but not limited to any claim of
fraud, misrepresentation or fraudulent inducement or any question of validity
or
effect of this Agreement including this clause) arising out of or related to
this Agreement (including any amendments, annexations, and extensions) or the
breach thereof shall be settled by consultation between the parties. In the
event of failure of such consultations within sixty (60) days (unless otherwise
extended by mutual agreement of the parties) after receipt of the written notice
of such Claim, then any such Claim shall be settled by binding arbitration
in
accordance with the then current CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution Rules
for
Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes and this provision. The
arbitration shall be governed by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.
§§ 1-16 to the exclusion of any provision of state law inconsistent
therewith or which would produce a different result. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction.
The
arbitration shall be held in El Paso, Texas or such other location as may be
convenient and agreed to in writing by the parties. There shall be one
arbitrator. The arbitration shall determine the Claim of the parties and render
a final award in accordance with the substantive law of the State of Texas,
excluding the conflicts provisions of such law, or unless otherwise agreed
to in
writing by the parties. The arbitrator shall set forth the reasons for the
award
in writing. The terms hereof shall not limit any obligation of a party to
defend, indemnify or hold harmless another party against court proceedings
or
other claims, losses, damages, or expenses and in such event an ancillary
dispute between the parties which arises out of the claim may be resolved in
such forum.
18. |
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT
|
This
Agreement (a) constitutes the entire understanding between the parties, (b)
may
not be amended except in writing signed by both parties, and (c) shall bind
and
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the parties
hereto.
6
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
authorized officers or agents of the parties have executed this Agreement as
of
the date first written above.
CLIENT
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx Advertising, Inc.
By:
_/s/ Xxxx Potts________________
By:
__/s/Xxxxxx X. Wingo____________________________
Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx
Title:
__________________________
Title:
_____________________________
Director
of Sales & Marketing President
and CEO
Date:
__________________________
Date:
_____________________________
7
ADDENDUM
1
The
terms
of the contract is extended by mutual agreement between Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and
Valcent Products, Inc. This extension relates to the original contract which
commenced March 1, 2006. This extension shall continue the contract unless
altered or cancelled by a 90-day written notice, until December 31,
2006.
This
addendum adds the following to paragraph 2A concerning compensation
retainer:
Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
and client agree to renegotiate fees when workloads reflect 400 man-hours for
more than two (2) consecutive months during the term of this agreement.
Additionally, if workloads drop below 50 percent of the agreed upon 263 monthly
hours for two (2) consecutive months, Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx and client agree to
renegotiate based on projected workload.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the authorized officers or agents of the parties have executed
this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CLIENT Xxxxxxx\Xxxxx
Advertising Inc.
By:___/s/
Xxxxx Kertz______________ By:__/s/
Xxxxxx X. Wingo_________
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx
Title:
CEO Title:
President and CEO
Date:____________________________ Date:_________________________
8