September 24, 2008
Exhibit 10.46
September 24, 2008 |
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Dear Xxxx:
This letter confirms our agreement (“Agreement”) regarding your employment at Westwood One, Inc.
and/or its Related Entities (“Westwood” or the “Company”). Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meaning set forth in your employment agreement with Westwood One, Inc.,
effective May 1, 2003, as amended (“Employment Agreement”).
1. Your employment with Westwood and the Employment Agreement terminated effective September 19,
2008. In connection with the foregoing and contingent upon your execution of and full compliance
with the terms of this Agreement, Westwood shall pay you $170,100 in two installments as follows:
(i) $145,100 by no later than October 3, 2008 and (ii) $25,000 by no later than March 31, 2009.
Any payments provided to you herein shall be reduced by appropriate deductions for federal, state,
local taxes and all other appropriate deductions and shall be paid in accordance with Westwood’s
normal payroll policies and policies and practices regarding the payment of commissions. You
acknowledge that you have been paid all compensation, in cash or otherwise, due to you from
Westwood, and except as set forth above, you shall not receive any other compensation in cash,
salary, commission, draw or bonus, for accrued and unused vacation, or otherwise. Your right to
receive, and the Company’s obligation to pay, the payments contained in this Section 1 shall not
arise until the Effective Date of this Agreement and shall further depend upon your compliance with
this Agreement and your returning all of the Company’s property as described in Section 7(a)
herein.
2. In exchange and as consideration for the representations, warranties, covenants and release
contained herein, you shall receive the consideration set forth in Section 1.
3. In consideration of the consideration described in Section 1 and for other good and valuable
consideration, you on your own behalf and on behalf of your heirs, executors, administrators,
attorneys, agents, successors and assigns hereby voluntarily, knowingly and irrevocably release and
forever discharge, Westwood and its present, former and future subsidiaries, divisions, related
entities, parents, successors, assigns, officers, agents, representatives, attorneys, fiduciaries,
administrators, directors, stockholders, partners and employees (collectively, the “Westwood
Released Parties”) from all debts, obligations, promises, covenants, agreements, contracts,
endorsements, bonds, controversies, suits, actions, causes of action, judgments, damages, expenses,
claims or demands, in law or in equity, which you ever had, now have, or which may arise in the
future regarding any matter arising on or before the date of execution of this Agreement, including
but not limited to all claims (whether known or unknown) regarding your employment at or
termination of employment from Westwood (including without limitation any claim for earned and
unused vacation days), any contract (including without limitation your Employment Agreement), any
claim for equitable relief or recovery of punitive, compensatory, or other damages or monies,
attorneys’ fees, any tort, and all claims for alleged discrimination based upon age, race, color,
sex, religion, national origin, or disability, or other claims,
including any claim, asserted or unasserted, which could arise under Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; the Civil Rights Act of 1866,
42 U.S.C. 1981; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the National Labor Relations Act; the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of
2002; all amendments to the foregoing and any other federal, state or local law, ordinance or
regulation, as well as common law and any claim of a violation of public policy.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
September 24, 2008
Page 2
September 24, 2008
Page 2
4. In consideration of the consideration described in Section 1 above and for other good and
valuable consideration, you also hereby specifically waive any and all rights or claims that you
have, or may hereafter have, to reinstatement or reemployment with Westwood. Any reemployment
shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of Westwood.
5. (a) You specifically and expressly hereby waive California Civil Code Section 1542. By
your signature hereto you certify that you have read the following provision of California Civil
Code Section 1542: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know
or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must
have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”
(b) You further certify that you understand and acknowledge that the significance and
consequence of this waiver of California Civil Code Section 1542 is that even if you should
eventually suffer additional damages arising out of the facts referred to herein, you will not be
able to make any claim for those damages. Furthermore, you acknowledge that you intend these
consequences even as to claims for damages that may exist as of the date of this release but which
you do not know exist, and which, if known, would materially affect your decision to execute this
release, regardless of whether your lack of knowledge is the result of ignorance, oversight, error,
negligence, or any other cause.
6. Pursuant to and as a part of your complete, total release and discharge of Westwood and the
Westwood Released Parties, you agree, not to xxx or file a charge, complaint, grievance or demand
for arbitration in any forum except to enforce this Agreement or assist or otherwise participate,
except as may be required by law, in any claim, arbitration, suit, action, investigation or other
proceeding of any kind which relates to any matter that involves Westwood and the Westwood Released
Parties and that occurred on or before your execution of this Agreement. You represent that you
have not filed or initiated any such proceedings against Westwood and the Westwood Released
Parties.
7. (a) You agree that while employed by Westwood you have had access to confidential and
proprietary information, including, without limitation, customer lists, financial data and trade
secret information. You agree that any such confidential information you acquired while an
employee of Westwood shall not be disclosed to any other person or used in a manner detrimental to
Westwood’s interests. In addition, you shall return to Westwood all Westwood property and tangible
confidential information in your possession including, but not limited to, keys, computers, pagers,
files, agreements, documents, telephones, fax machines and credentials. You agree to cooperate
with Westwood in any investigation Westwood undertakes or litigation Westwood is involved in
relating to matters that occurred during your employment with Westwood.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
September 24, 2008
Page 3
September 24, 2008
Page 3
(b) For good and valuable consideration provided herein only, you hereby ratify and reaffirm
the restrictions set forth in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of your Employment Agreement and that such shall
remain in full force and effect, including, without limitation, that the restrictions contained in
Paragraphs 8(c), provided, however, that the parties agree that the Restricted Period shall
continue until and terminate on March 31, 2009. By your signature hereto you acknowledge that you
have reviewed such paragraphs in connection with your review of this Agreement and understand the
restrictions contained therein.
(c) You acknowledge that Westwood has established a valuable and extensive trade in the
services it provides, which has been developed at considerable expense to Westwood. You agree
that, by virtue of the special knowledge that you have received from Westwood, and the relationship
of trust and confidence between you and Westwood, you have certain information and knowledge of the
operations of Westwood that are confidential and proprietary in nature, including, without
limitation, information about its Corporate Affiliates and Sponsors. You agree that you will not
make use of or disclose at any time, without the prior written consent of Westwood, Confidential
Information relating to Westwood and any of its Related Entities (including, without limitation,
its Sponsor lists, its Corporate Affiliates, its technical systems, its contracts, its methods of
operation, its business plans and opportunities, its strategic plans and its trade secrets), and
further, that you will return to Westwood all written materials in your possession embodying such
Confidential Information.
(d) You agree that the limitations set forth herein on your rights are reasonable and
necessary for the protection of Westwood. In this regard, you specifically agree that the
limitations as to period of time and geographic area, as well as all other restrictions on your
activities specified herein, are reasonable and necessary for the protection of Westwood. The
parties hereto agree that the remedy at law for any breach of your obligations under this Section
of this Agreement would be inadequate and
that Westwood shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief (without bond or
undertaking) in any proceeding which may be brought to enforce any provisions of this Section.
8. You understand and agree that neither you nor anyone acting on your behalf will publish,
publicize, disseminate, communicate or cause to be published, publicized, disseminated or
communicated, to any entity or person whatsoever, directly or indirectly, information concerning
your employment with Westwood, the existence of this Agreement or the terms described herein except
to your attorneys, accountants, tax advisors or immediate family, which for purposes hereof shall
include your spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, mother-in-law and
father-in-law. You agree not to make any statement or take any actions which in any way disparage
or which could harm the reputation and/or goodwill of Westwood, or in any way, directly or
indirectly, cause or encourage the making of such statements or the taking of such actions by
anyone else. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit you from responding truthfully to a lawfully
issued subpoena, court order, or other lawful request by any regulatory agency or government
authority.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
September 24, 2008
Page 4
September 24, 2008
Page 4
9. You further acknowledge and agree that in the event you ever challenge the enforceability of
this agreement or breach this Agreement, Westwood will seek offset of any payments made to you
herein or benefits provided to you to the extent permitted by law and Westwood will not be required
to make any further payments to you or to provide you with any other benefits referred to herein.
10. The terms of this Agreement, including all facts, circumstances, statements and documents
relating thereto, shall not be admissible or submitted as evidence in any litigation in any forum
except as required by law for any purpose other than to secure enforcement of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
11. The validity and construction of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York, excluding the conflict of law principles thereof.
12. The parties agree that any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, except
for any injunctive or equitable relief, shall be finally settled by arbitration in New York, New
York in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association in
effect on the date of this Agreement and judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof.
13. Except as otherwise set forth herein and covenants you agreed that survive the termination of
your employment, this Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of your separation of
employment with Westwood, and supersedes any and all prior oral and written agreements between you
and Westwood, including your Employment Agreement. This Agreement may not be altered, amended or
modified except by a further writing signed by you and Westwood.
14. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including via facsimile copy, each of which
shall constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute one agreement.
15. The failure of any party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any
occasion shall not be considered a waiver thereof or deprive that party of the right thereafter to
insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of the Agreement.
16. If any of the provisions, terms or clauses of this Agreement are declared illegal,
unenforceable or ineffective in a legal forum, those provisions, terms and clauses shall be deemed
severable, such that all other provisions, terms and clauses of this Agreement shall remain valid
and binding upon the parties.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
September 24, 2008
Page 5
September 24, 2008
Page 5
17. You acknowledge that you have been offered at least 45 days from the date you received this
Agreement within which to consider its terms; that you have been advised to consult with an
attorney regarding the terms of this Agreement and that you have done so to the extent you desired.
You further acknowledge that your signature below indicates that you are entering into this
Agreement freely, knowingly and voluntarily with a full understanding of its terms, including the
complete general release of all claims against Westwood and the Westwood Released Parties. The
terms of this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until seven (7) days following
the date of its execution by both parties (the “Effective Date”), during which time you may revoke
the Agreement by notifying Westwood in writing, by registered mail delivered to the attention of
the undersigned at 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000. You
acknowledge that you have been given ample opportunity to review this Agreement and have read it in
its entirety.
Very truly yours, | ||||||||||
WESTWOOD ONE, INC. | ||||||||||
Date:
|
9/25/08 | By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||||||
Title: CAO & GC |
By signing this Agreement below, you agree to and accept the provisions contained herein. You
certify and acknowledge that you (i) have been advised to consult with an attorney about this
Agreement prior to executing same, (ii) have read the Agreement, (iii) understand its contents,
(iv) are voluntarily entering into this Agreement free from coercion or duress and (v) agree to be
bound by its terms.
Date:
|
9/24/08 | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||||
Xxxx Xxxxxxx |