EXHIBIT 10.14
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of March 1, 1999, between INTEREP NATIONAL RADIO
SALES, INC., a New York corporation (the "Company"), and XXXXX X. GUILD
("Guild").
W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, the Company and Guild are parties to an Employment Agreement,
dated as of August 1, 1986, as amended and restated as of August 1, 1987,
January 1, 1989, January 1, 1991 and June 1, 1995 (as so amended and restated,
the "Original Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Company and Guild wish to amend and restate the Original
Agreement in order to extend the term of the Original Agreement and to make
certain other changes;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth
below, the parties agree that the Original Agreement is amended and restated as
follows:
1. Employment
(a) Term. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Company employs Guild, and Guild agrees to serve, as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company for a term commencing on the date hereof
and ending on February 29, 2004, unless extended as provided in the following
sentence (the "Term"). On March 1, 2000 and each following March 1 during the
Term, the Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year, unless
the Company or Guild notifies the other on or before the immediately preceding
February 1 that the Term is not to be so extended. For example, (i) if no such
notice is given on February 1, 2000, the Term would automatically be extended by
one year and would end on February 28, 2005 or (ii) if such notice is given by
the Company on February 1, 2000, the Term would end on February 29, 2004 and the
Consulting Period (as defined in Section 1(c)) would begin on the following day.
(b) Duties. Guild shall report directly to the Board of Directors of
the Company. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause Guild to be elected
a director of the Company at all times during the Term. Guild shall perform his
duties to the best of his ability and shall devote a reasonable portion of his
time, energies and skills to such duties, subject to the understanding that he
has various investments and participates in other business ventures and
activities which may, from time to time, require his attention, but which shall
not interfere with the performance of his duties to the Company. It is further
understood that such other investments, ventures and activities may include
radio stations that may compete in the same markets as radio stations which are
clients of the Company. Guild may perform his duties at the offices of the
Company or at such other loca tions as he reasonably deems appropriate.
(c) Consulting. If the Company gives Guild notice pursuant to Section
1(a) that the Term of this Agreement is not to be extended, the Company shall
retain Guild as a consultant
for a period of two years beginning on the day after the last day of the Term
(the "Consulting Period"). During the Consulting Period, Guild shall provide
the Company with such advice, assistance and services regarding any aspect of
the Company's business and affairs as the Company and Guild shall from time to
time agree. During the Consulting Period, the Company shall pay Guild annual
consulting fees in an amount equal to Guild's base salary under Section 2(a) in
effect at the end of the Term, the Company shall provide him with the health,
hospitalization and welfare benefits referred to in Section 3, and the
provisions of Section 4 (other than those respecting vacations) shall apply.
The Company shall pay such consulting fees to Guild in equal semi-monthly
installments or, if Guild requests the Company in writing at any time, the
Company shall pay to Guild an amount equal to the total consulting fees payable
during the Consulting Period (or then remaining balance thereof) discounted at
the discount rate (as defined in Section 7(b)) to present value as of the date
of such request. Any such accelerated payment shall not relieve Guild of his
obligation to perform the consulting services contemplated by this Section 1(c).
2. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Guild a
base salary of not less than $925,000 per year ("base salary"), payable in
equal semi-monthly installments; provided, however, that the Company and Guild
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may from time to time agree on different payment schedules, which may involve
the payment of portions of such annual salary (not to exceed $175,000 at any one
time) in advance to assist Guild, for example, in making life insurance premium
payments. The foregoing shall not preclude Guild from receiving salary
increases or awards of bonuses, incentive or other types of additional
compensation (in addition to the bonus compensation described in Section 2(b))
which the Company in its sole discretion may wish to pay.
(b) Incentive Bonus. In addition to his base salary, Guild shall be
entitled to receive a minimum incentive bonus ("incentive bonus") in respect of
each year during the Term, based on the Company's performance and calculated as
follows. If the Company achieves 1999 EBITDA in excess of its 1998 EBITDA,
Guild shall be entitled to a bonus in respect of fiscal 1999 equal to a
percentage of his 1998 base salary, which percentage shall be equal to two times
the percentage increase of 1999 EBITDA over 1998 EBITDA. Thereafter, for each
fiscal year of the Company for which EBITDA exceeds EBITDA for the prior year,
Guild shall similarly be entitled to an incentive bonus equal to a percentage of
his base salary for such year, which percentage shall be equal to two times the
percentage increase of EBITDA for such year over the higher of (i) EBITDA for
the prior year and (ii) the highest EBITDA for any prior year back to 1998.
"EBITDA" means the Company's operating income, plus depreciation, amortization
and other non-cash items, including non-cash rent and compensation expense, plus
payments made pursuant to this Section 2(b), as derived based on the Company's
audited financials for the fiscal year in respect of which it is determined,
except that "Contract termination revenues" shall be excluded from operating
income for purposes of calculating the incentive bonus.
All incentive bonus amounts payable hereunder shall be paid within 30
days following the Company's determination thereof, which shall be not later
than 30 days following the delivery to the Company of audited financials for the
year in respect of which the determination is made; provided, however, that the
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Company may defer payment of any incentive bonus payment
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for up to 12 months if necessary or advisable to preserve working capital or for
other significant business reasons. If the Company elects to defer any incentive
bonus payment, the Company shall pay interest on the amount deferred at a
fluctuating rate per annum equal to the interest rate per annum charged the
Company by its principal lenders, as such rate is in effect from time to time.
The Company shall pay such interest to Guild quarterly in arrears on the last
business day of each calendar quarter during which any deferred incentive bonus
payment remains outstanding.
3. Benefit Plans. Guild shall be entitled to participate in all
employee fringe benefit plans and policies that the Company may make available
to, or have in effect for, its senior executives from time to time, including,
without limitation, health, hospitalization and welfare benefits, pension,
profit-sharing and similar plans, stock option, incentive compensation, savings,
investment, retirement and supplemental benefit plans, in each case subject to
the eligibility and other provisions of any such plan or policy. Nothing in
this Section 3 shall require the Company to institute or make available to Guild
any particular benefit plan or policy.
4. Expenses; Vacations; Facilities. Guild shall be entitled to
incur on behalf of the Company reasonable and necessary expenses in connection
with the performance of his duties and in accordance with the customary practice
of the Company. The Company shall reimburse Guild for any such expenses paid by
him. Whenever Guild is required to travel in connection with his duties, he may
arrange for his wife to accompany him and for the Company to reimburse him for
the related cost. During each 12-month period during the Term, Guild shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with his status and the policies of the
Company regarding paid vacation time for its senior executives. During the Term
and any Consulting Period, the Company shall provide Guild with all reasonable
secretarial assistance and office and technical facilities necessary for the
performance of his duties hereunder and suitable to his position.
5. Temporary Disability. If, during the Term, Guild becomes
disabled, through illness or otherwise, from performing his duties hereunder, he
shall be entitled to a leave of absence for up to six consecutive months. The
Company shall continue to pay Guild's compensation during any such leave of
absence. If such disability continues beyond such period, it shall be deemed to
be a permanent disability subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and 7(a).
6. Rights of Termination.
(a) Termination for Cause by the Company. The Company shall have the
right to terminate Guild's employment forthwith for cause, limited to (i) an
action by Guild involving willful malfeasance or gross negligence or (ii)
Guild's incapacity to perform the duties called for under this Agreement by
reason of the abuse of alcohol or drugs.
(b) Permanent Disability; Death. If Guild is disabled through illness
or other wise from performing his duties hereunder for a period in excess of six
consecutive months, so that such disability is deemed to be a permanent
disability under Section 5, the Company shall have the option, exercisable on
written notice to Guild and only so long as such disability continues, to
terminate his employment under this Agreement. Any such termination shall be
effective as of the
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end of the month in which such written notice is given to Guild. If Guild dies,
the Term shall end on the date of his death.
(c) Termination for Cause by Guild. Guild shall have the right,
exercisable within six months after the occurrence of any of the following
events, to terminate his employment under this Agreement on delivery of 30 days'
written notice thereof to the Company:
(i) if the Company violates this Agreement in any material
respect, and such violation is not cured within 15 days of Guild's written
notice thereof to the Company;
(ii) if Guild is not re-elected or re-appointed to the offices of
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, other than by his own
choice, by reason of his permanent disability, or is removed from such
offices, other than for reasons justifying termination by the Company under
Section 6(a);
(iii) if Guild ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors of
the Company, other than by his own choice, by reason of his permanent
disability or for reasons justifying termination under Section 6(a); or
(iv) in the event of a change of control of the Board of
Directors of the Company as a result of (A) a contest for the control of
the Company, (B) the consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the
Company into, any other corporation, (C) the acquisition of the Company, of
a controlling interest in the Company or of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company by another person, or (D) the cessation of the
corporate existence of the Company or failure to continue such existence in
full force and effect as a result of any circumstances.
7. Effects of Termination.
(a) Termination for Permanent Disability. If Guild's employment
terminates under Section 6(b) on account of Guild's permanent disability, the
Company shall continue to pay (or cause to be paid) to Guild, for the remainder
of the Term (the "Remainder Term"), in equal semi-monthly installments, 75% of
his then current salary, less the aggregate amount of all income disability
benefits which he may receive or to which he may be entitled for such period by
reason of (i) any group health insurance plan which is intended to function as a
salary replacement plan, (ii) any applicable compulsory state disability law,
(iii) the Federal Social Security Act, (iv) any applicable workmen's
compensation law or similar law and (v) any disability plan to which the Company
or any of its affiliates has contributed or for which it has made payroll
deductions, other than those which reimburse for actual medical expenses.
(b) Payment on Termination by Reason of Death or by Guild for Cause.
If Guild dies during the Term or the Remainder Term, or if Guild elects to
terminate his employment hereunder pursuant to Section 6(c), (i) the Company
shall continue to pay (or cause to be paid) to Guild or his designated
beneficiary (or, if no beneficiary has been designated, his estate), for the
Remainder Term, in equal semi-monthly installments, the base salary that would
have been payable
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to Guild during the Remainder Term pursuant to Section 2(a) had Guild's
employment not been terminated, and (ii) after the Remainder Term, if Guild
elected to terminate his employment hereunder pursuant to Section 6(c), the
Company shall also pay during the Consulting Period the consulting fees that
would have been payable during the Consulting Period as if the Company had
elected not to extend the Term pursuant to Section 1(a). If, however, Guild or
his designated beneficiary or estate so requests the Company in writing at any
time after Guild's election to terminate his employment pursuant to Section 6(c)
or Guild's death, the Company shall pay to him or his designated beneficiary
(or, if no beneficiary has been designated, his estate), an amount equal to the
total base salary and, if applicable, consulting fees, otherwise owing pursuant
to the preceding sentence, discounted at the Discount Rate (as defined below) to
its present value as of the date of such request (the "Notice Date"). The
Company shall pay such amount in a lump sum not later than 30 days after the
Notice Date. "Discount Rate" means the yield to maturity, as determined on the
Notice Date, on U.S. Treasury obligations having an original maturity comparable
to the Remainder Term plus, if applicable, the Consulting Period. Guild may
waive his right to receive all or part of any payment otherwise owing pursuant
to this Section 7(b) by written notice to the Company and may also elect to
receive a portion of any payments owing to him pursuant to this Section 7(b) on
the installment basis referred to in the first sentence of this Section 7(b) and
a portion on the lump sum basis referred to in the second sentence hereof.
(c) General. Except as otherwise set forth in Sections 7(a) and 7(b),
Guild's right to receive the base salary provided for in Section 2(a) shall
cease on the effective date of any termination of his employment under Section
6, nor shall he have any right to any incentive bonus in respect of the year in
which termination occurs, unless it occurs as of December 31 of such year.
Termination of Guild's employment under any provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the right of Guild or his designated beneficiary or estate to receive
benefits accrued to him through the date of such termination under this
Agreement or any employee benefit plan of the Company in which he is then
participating; provided, however, that the rights of Guild or his designated
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beneficiary or estate under any such plan and any termination of his
participation thereunder shall be governed by the terms of such plans as then in
effect. All payments and rights under Sections 7 (a) and 7(b) shall be in lieu
of any other amounts Guild (or his estate) might be entitled to receive under
this Agreement for any breach hereof by the Company. Payments under Sections
7(a) or 7(b) shall not affect Guild's right to receive any severance payments or
other benefits to which he is entitled in accordance with the Company's policy.
At Guild's request at any time prior to the termination of his employment
hereunder, the Company shall provide him with such reasonable security as Guild
shall reasonably request to secure payment of all amounts payable to him after
such termination, such as a bank letter of credit, bond or security interest in
a portion of the Company's assets.
8. Confidentiality. All information possessed by Guild relative to
the activities of the Company which is of a secret or confidential nature,
including business plans, sales or marketing data, financial data, developments
and administrative procedures, is the property of the Company. Guild shall not,
during the Term and any Remainder Term, disclose any such information to others
not in the employ of the Company or its subsidiaries or use it for his benefit
or that of any third party. Nothing herein shall prevent Guild, subsequent to
the termination of his employment hereunder, from using and availing himself of
his general skill, knowledge and
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experience, including that pertaining to or derived from the non-confidential
aspects of the business of the Company.
9. Non-Competition. During the Term , any Remainder Term with
respect to which he is receiving payment hereunder and any Consulting Period,
Guild shall not, anywhere in the United States of America, without the consent
of the Board of Directors of the Company:
(a) engage in any national radio sales representation business on
behalf of any party other than the Company and its subsidiaries;
(b) solicit business from or represent any client of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries in connection with national radio sales representation;
or
(c) offer employment to or hire any employee of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries.
10. Notices. Any notice given by either party to the other shall be
in writing and delivered by personal delivery or registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressed to Guild at his address of record with the
Company, or to the Company at is principal office, as the case may be, or, in
either case, at such other place as Guild or the Company may from time to time
designate in writing. The date of personal delivery or the date of mailing any
such notice shall be deemed to be the date of delivery thereof.
11. Prior Agreements; Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement between the Company and Guild with regard to its subject matter
and merges and supersedes any employment understandings or agreements which may
have been previously made between the Company and Guild (other than the
Supplemental Income Agreement, dated as of December 31, 1986 and amended as of
June 18, 1993, and the Amendment and Extension of Option, dated January 1, 1991
and amended as of June 18, 1993), including, without limitation, the Original
Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed, waived, discharged or terminated
orally, but only by an instrument in writing, signed by the party against which
enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
12. Parties in Interest. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or
obligations hereunder may be assigned by one party without the consent of the
other, except that this Agreement (a) shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit of any successor of the Company whether by merger, consolidation, sale
of assets or otherwise, and references to the Company shall be deemed to include
any such successor, and (b) to the extent provided herein, shall be binding on
and inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, designated beneficiaries or
personal representatives, if any, of Guild, and references to Guild shall be
deemed to include such estate, heirs, designated beneficiaries or personal
representatives. Any designation by Guild of a beneficiary to receive payments
hereunder in the event of Guild's death or permanent disability, and any change
in such designation, shall be made by written notice from Guild to the Company.
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13. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court or tribunal of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and
such provision shall be carried out as nearly as possible according to its
original terms and intent to eliminate such invalidity or unenforceability. In
this regard, the parties agree that the provisions of Section 9, including,
without limitation, the scope of the territorial and time restrictions, are
reasonable and necessary to protect and preserve the Company's legitimate
interests. If the provisions of Section 9 are held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be in any respect unreasonable, then such court may reduce the
territory or time to which it pertains or otherwise modify such provisions to
the extent necessary to render such provisions reasonable and enforceable.
14. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Headings used in this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in the interpretation
of this Agreement. References to Sections are to the sections of this
Agreement.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida applicable to
agreements made and fully to be performed therein by residents thereof.
16. Arbitration. Any dispute arising out of or relating to any
provision of this Agreement or to the parties' performance of any of their
respective obligations hereunder shall be resolved before a single arbitrator
chosen in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association as
at the time in effect Florida. The arbitration shall take place in a major city
in Florida designated by Guild and otherwise in accordance with such Rules.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first set forth above.
INTEREP NATIONAL RADIO SALES, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx, Xx.
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Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx, Xx., Vice President
/s/ Xxxxx X. Guild
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XXXXX X. GUILD
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