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EXHIBIT 10.1
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This Severance Agreement ("Agreement") is hereby made and entered into by
and between Simon Worldwide, Inc. ("SWI") and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx ("Xxxxx").
WHEREAS, Xxxxx has been employed by SWI as its Co-Chief Executive Officer
and Co-President, pursuant to an Employment Agreement between the parties dated
September 1, 1999 (the "Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the parties have reached full and final agreement as to the terms
of Xxxxx'x separation from employment with SWI;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. RESIGNATION BY XXXXX. Effective June 15, 2001 (the "Termination Date"),
Xxxxx shall resign from (a) his positions as Co-Chief Executive Officer and
Co-President of SWI, (b) his membership on SWI's Board of Directors, and (c)
any and all other positions held by Xxxxx with SWI or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates or any of the Boards of Directors thereof. On or before the
Termination Date, Xxxxx shall confirm his resignation from such positions by
submitting a letter of resignation to SWI substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit A to this Agreement. As of the Termination Date, the Employment
Agreement (including, without limitation, the line of credit provided to Xxxxx
by SWI thereunder) shall terminate and be of no further force or effect;
provided, however, that Sections 5, 8 and 9 of the Employment Agreement shall
remain in effect following the Termination Date in accordance with their terms.
Xxxxx'x rights with respect to the exercise or termination of the options to
purchase shares of SWI stock previously granted to him shall be governed by the
terms thereof.
2. COMPENSATION TO XXXXX. In consideration of the terms of this Agreement,
SWI shall provide Xxxxx with the following severance compensation:
(a) Within ten (10) days after Xxxxx has delivered to SWI an
original, signed copy of this Agreement, SWI shall deliver to Xxxxx a lump-sum
payment in the gross amount of Three Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($3,200,000).
(b) SWI shall forgive in full Xxxxx'x current indebtedness to SWI
(the principal amount of which shall not exceed Eighty-Five Thousand Sixty
Dollars $85,060.00) and any accrued interest thereon.
(c) SWI shall maintain until November 10, 2002, at its expense,
Xxxxx'x coverage under the life, medical and dental insurance plans in which
Xxxxx was a participant as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that to
the extent that SWI may modify or terminate the medical or dental insurance
coverage provided to its executive-level employees generally, SWI may likewise
modify or terminate the coverage provided to Xxxxx.
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(d) SWI shall pay for and maintain for the benefit of Xxxxx and his
designees Xxxxx'x coverage under the split-dollar life insurance policies
currently in effect with respect to Xxxxx; provided, however, that the
remaining annual premium payments on such policies by SWI (the final two of
which such payments are due to be made by SWI in June 2009) shall not exceed
Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per annum. Xxxxx agrees to execute, or
cause to be executed, appropriate modifications to the agreement relating to
such split-dollar life insurance policies to reflect the terms of this
Agreement.
(e) On the Termination Date, SWI shall deliver to Xxxxx a lump-sum payment
in the gross amount of Thirty-four Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Three Dollars
($34,673.00) in respect of Xxxxx'x accrued, unused vacation and personal days as
of the Termination Date.
(f) Subject to Xxxxx'x submission of appropriate documentation, SWI shall
pay (i) the attorneys' fees and expenses in the amount of Twenty-Four Thousand
Five Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and Twenty-Three Cents ($24,546.23) previously
incurred by Xxxxx through his representation by the law firm of Xxxxx &
McCaffey; and (ii) the reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, up to a maximum
of $50,000, incurred by Xxxxx through his representation by the law firm of
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C. in connection with the
negotiation of this Agreement.
The parties acknowledge and agree that (i) there is "good reason," as that
term is defined in Section 6.6(a) of the Employment Agreement, for Xxxxx to
terminate his employment with SWI; and (ii) the termination of Xxxxx'x
employment with SWI is not occurring in connection with a change of control of
SWI for purposes of Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). In
the event, however, that any golden-parachute excise tax is assessed by the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") under Section 4999 of the Code with respect to
any of the compensation set forth in this Section 2, Xxxxx shall have the right
to "gross up" protection against any such golden-parachute excise tax liability
(including interest or penalties) thereby incurred by Xxxxx. The parties
recognize that the duty to pay any golden-parachute excise tax is personal to
Xxxxx, and that Xxxxx may be obligated, following the assessment of such a tax
by the IRS and upon advice of professional tax counsel, to pay such a tax. In
the event of a dispute with the IRS as to whether a golden-parachute tax should
be assessed, and provided that no actual legal conflict of interest then exists
between the parties with respect to such a matter, Xxxxx shall cooperate with
SWI in connection with any dispute or other proceeding before the IRS or any
other governmental authority concerning the assessment of such liability or the
applicability of Section 4999 of the Code to the compensation set forth in this
Section 2, and SWI shall be entitled to determine the legal positions to be
taken and the steps to be followed by SWI and Xxxxx in connection with such a
dispute or other proceeding. In the event that such a conflict of interest
emerges between SWI and Xxxxx with respect to such a dispute or other
proceeding, Xxxxx shall be entitled to retain counsel, at SWI's expense, to
represent him separately in connection with the matter. In the event that Xxxxx
pays any golden-parachute excise tax assessed by the IRS with respect to any of
the compensation set forth in this Section 2
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and the appropriate gross-up is paid to Xxxxx by SWI, Xxxxx shall assign to SWI
any and all rights he may have to seek a refund of such payment.
3. SOLE COMPENSATION: NO MITIGATION. Xxxxx expressly acknowledges that
the compensation provided for in the foregoing Section 2 shall constitute the
sole and entire compensation due him or to become due him in connection with
the termination of his employment with SWI. Xxxxx shall not be obligated under
this Agreement to seek subsequent employment, and the compensation to be
provided to Xxxxx hereunder shall not be reduced by any earnings that Xxxxx may
derive through such subsequent employment.
4. DEDUCTIONS. All of the compensation to be provided to Xxxxx under
this Agreement is stated in gross terms and shall be subject to payroll tax
withholdings and any other deductions reasonably determined by SWI to be
required by law.
5. RELEASE BY XXXXX. In consideration of the terms hereof, Xxxxx, on
behalf of himself and his spouse, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees,
legal representatives and assigns, hereby forever releases and discharges SWI,
The Yucaipa Companies LLC ("Yucaipa"), Overseas Toys, L.P., their respective
past and present subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, predecessors, successors
and assigns, and all of the officers, directors, shareholders, employees,
consultants, agents and attorneys of each such entity from any and all claims,
demands, liabilities, actions, and causes of action of every name and nature,
whether known or unknown, arising at any time from the beginning of the world
through the date of Xxxxx'x execution of this Agreement. This release includes,
without limitation, (a) any claims of breach of contract, whether express or
implied; (b) any claims for reemployment, salary, wages, bonus pay, stock or
stock options, vacation pay, benefits or other compensation of any kind; (c)
any claims of discrimination or retaliation in employment, including, without
limitation, any claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,
the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any
other federal, state or local statute, ordinance, regulation or common-law
provision relating to discrimination or retaliation in employment; (d) any
claims under any other federal, state or local statutes, ordinances or
regulations; and (e) any claims based in tort. Xxxxx agrees that neither he nor
any of his present, future or former heirs, representatives or assigns will
ever assert in any forum any claim or cause of action as to which this release
may lawfully be applied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this release excludes
(x) SWI's obligation to indemnify Xxxxx as a director and officer to the extent
required by Section 5 of the Employment Agreement or by any other preexisting
contractual or other obligation of SWI to Xxxxx; and (y) any obligation of SWI
set forth in this Agreement.
6. RELEASE BY SWI. SWI, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries,
affiliates, divisions, predecessors, successors and assigns, hereby forever
releases and discharges Xxxxx from any and all claims, demands, liabilities,
actions, and causes of action of every name and nature, whether known or
unknown, arising at any time from the beginning of the world through the date
of SWI's execution of this Agreement. This release includes, without
limitation, any
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contract-based, tort-based or other common-law claims, any claims under any
federal, state or local statutes, ordinances or regulations, and any claims for
costs or attorney's fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this release excludes
(a) any claim arising from fraudulent or criminal conduct by Xxxxx, (b) any
stockholder derivative claim, and (c) any obligation of Xxxxx set forth in this
Agreement. SWI represents that as of the date of this Agreement, it is not
currently pursuing the development of a claim against Xxxxx based on any
alleged fraudulent or criminal conduct by Xxxxx.
7. RETURN OF PROPERTY. On or before the Termination Date, Xxxxx shall
return to SWI all items in his possession or control that are the property of
SWI or any of its subsidiaries or that contain any confidential information of
SWI.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. Xxxxx acknowledges that the existence and terms of
this Agreement shall constitute "Confidential Information" within the meaning
of Section 9 of the Employment Agreement until such time as such information is
disclosed by SWI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Xxxxx may disclose the
existence and terms of this Agreement to his immediate family members,
attorneys, accountants and financial and tax advisors, provided that Xxxxx
informs such persons of the existence of this confidentiality provision and
instructs them not to disclose such information further.
9. NONDISPARAGEMENT. Xxxxx agrees that he shall not make or cause to be
made, directly or indirectly, any comments to any third party that disparage or
denigrate SWI, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any of their respective
current or former directors, officers, shareholders, employees consultants,
agents or attorneys. SWI agrees to instruct its officers and directors, and
those of its subsidiaries, to whom the terms of this Agreement are disclosed
not to make or cause to be made, directly or indirectly, any comments to any
third party that disparage or denigrate Xxxxx. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the provisions of this Section 9 shall not apply to any statement that any
party may be compelled by law to make.
10. NO ADMISSION. This Agreement does not constitute an admission by
either SWI or Xxxxx that either party has at any time acted contrary to the law
or violated the rights of either party.
11. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon Xxxxx
and his heirs, administrators, representatives and executors, and upon SWI and
its successors and assigns. Xxxxx shall not transfer or assign this Agreement
to any person or entity, and any such attempted transfer or assignment shall be
void and without effect. Xxxxx warrants that he has not previously transferred
or assigned to any person or entity any right, cause of action or claim
released by this Agreement.
12. CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without reference to
any conflict-of-law doctrine that would result in the application of the laws
of any other jurisdiction; provided,
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however, that the parties' obligations under Section 5, 8 and 9 of the
Employment Agreement (as incorporated herein pursuant to Section 1 of this
Agreement) shall be governed by the substantive laws of the State of California.
13. ARBITRATION. Except in the case of a request for equitable relief
pursuant to Section 8.3 of the Employment Agreement or a request for
provisional relief by a court pending arbitration, any dispute or controversy
between the parties arising from an alleged breach of this Agreement or
otherwise concerning the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this
Agreement shall be resolved exclusively through an arbitration proceeding
before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Boston, Massachusetts.
Except as may be otherwise set forth in this Section 13, such proceeding shall
be conducted in accordance with the rules of the AAA then in effect. The
parties shall each bear one-half of the fees and expenses of the arbitrator and
all other expenses of the arbitration (other than any filing fees required of
claimants by the AAA), and each party shall be responsible for payment of his
or its attorneys' fees and all other costs associated with the preparation and
presentation of his or its case; provided, however, that the arbitrator may, to
the extent permitted by law, award attorneys' fees, costs and/or expenses to
the prevailing party. The arbitrator shall render an award and written opinion,
which shall be final and binding upon the parties, and judgment on the award
may be entered by any court with jurisdiction thereof.
14. SEVERABILITY. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by
any court to be wholly or partially unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, the
lawfulness, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not
be affected, and the unlawful, invalid or unenforceable provision shall be
deemed not to be a part of this Agreement.
15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and, except as
otherwise set forth in Section 1 above, supersedes any and all prior agreements
and understandings between them with respect thereto. In signing this
Agreement, both parties are relying only on the representations set forth
herein, and not on any other representations, whether oral or written. This
Agreement may be amended or modified only by an express writing signed by Xxxxx
and by a duly authorized officer of SWI.
16. WAIVER. The failure by a party to assert his or its rights under any
provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of the party's
rights with respect to any future violations of such provision, or to prevent
that party thereafter from enforcing his or its rights under any other
provision of this Agreement.
17. NOTICES. Any notices, requests, consents or other communications made
under this Agreement shall be given in writing and personally delivered or sent
by certified mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested, or by
overnight courier service, to the following addresses (or to such other
addresses as the parties may specify to one another by like notice subsequent
to the execution of this Agreement):
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If to SWI: Simon Worldwide, Inc.
c/o Simon Marketing, Inc.
1900 Avenue of the Stars
Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Att'n: General Counsel
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Xxxxxxx
Exchange Place
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Att'n: Cameron Read, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to Xxxxx: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
with a copy to:
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Att'n: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
18. SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings in this Agreement are included
solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
19. EXECUTION. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall constitute an original, but which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
20. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Xxxxx acknowledges and affirms:
(a) that he has read this Agreement carefully and completely, and that
he fully understands its meaning and intent, the terms set forth herein, and the
final and binding effect of the release set forth in the foregoing Section 5;
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(b) that he has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney or other
advisor before signing this Agreement, has been advised by SWI to do so if he
chooses, and in fact has consulted with an attorney before signing this
Agreement;
(c) that he has been given at least twenty-one (21) days to review and
consider this Agreement before signing it, and that if he signs this Agreement
before the expiration of this 21-day period, he does so voluntarily;
(d) that he is signing this Agreement freely and voluntarily;
(e) that he may revoke this Agreement after signing it by delivering a
written notice of revocation to SWI by facsimile and by overnight courier
service, at the address set forth in the foregoing Section 17, by no later than
seven (7) days after the date on which he has signed this Agreement and
delivered it to SWI; and
(f) that the terms of this Agreement, including SWI's obligations
hereunder, shall become effective and enforceable only after this seven-day
revocation period has passed, provided that Xxxxx has not revoked this
Agreement.
AGREED AND ACCEPTED;
Simon Worldwide, Inc.
By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: Co-CEO
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Date: 6/26/2001
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Date: 6/25/2001
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GUARANTEE
Simon Marketing, Inc. ("SMI"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of SWI, hereby unconditionally guarantees the due and timely
performance of all of SWI's obligations hereunder. The liability of SMI
hereunder is direct and unconditional and may be enforced without requiring
Xxxxx first to resort to any other right, remedy or security. This Guarantee is
a continuing Guarantee and shall remain effective until all of SWI's
obligations hereunder are satisfied. In no event shall this Guarantee be
terminated without the prior written consent of Xxxxx in his sole discretion.
SMI hereby waives any and all rights to presentment, demand and protest.
Simon Marketing, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Senior Executive Vice President
Title:
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Date: June 26, 2001
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EXHIBIT A
June __, 2001
Mr./Ms. __________________
Chairman, Board of Directors
Simon Worldwide, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Mr./Ms. ________________
Pursuant to Section I of my Severance Agreement with Simon Worldwide, Inc.
("SWI") dated June __, 2001, I hereby submit my resignation, effective June 15,
2001, from my position as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-President of SWI,
from my membership on SWI's Board of Directors, and from any and all other
positions held by me with SWI or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Sincerely,
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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June 23, 2001
Mr. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Chairman, Board of Directors
Simon Worldwide, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxx:
Pursuant to Section 1 of my Severance Agreement with Simon Worldwide, Inc.
("SWI") dated June 25, 2001, I hereby submit my resignation, effective June 15,
2001, from my position as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-President of SWI,
from my membership on SWI's Board of Directors, and from any and all other
positions held by me with SWI or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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June 23, 2001
Mr. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Chairman, Board of Directors
Simon Worldwide, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxx:
In connection with the execution of my Severance Agreement with Simon
Worldwide, Inc. ("SWI") dated June 25, 2001, I hereby represent and warrant
that I have not made any oral or written representation to, or purported to
bind SWI to any oral or written agreement with, any current or former employee
of SWI relating to any severance compensation to be provided to such employee
in the event of the termination of his or her employment with SWI.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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CONSENT
Reference is made to (a) the Purchase Agreement by and between Cyrk, Inc.
("Cyrk") and Cyrk Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Rockridge Partners, Inc.) (the
"PURCHASER"), dated as of January 20, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated
as of February 15, 2001 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") and (b) the Lease by and
between 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx LLC (the "LLC") and Cyrk, dated as of December 12, 1996
relating to the property located at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
(the "DANVERS LEASE").
The LLC hereby consents pursuant to Section 25 of the Danvers Lease to the
assignment of the Danvers Lease by Cyrk to the Purchaser pursuant to the terms
and conditions of the Purchase Agreement.
The undersigned Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, in their capacity
as managers of the LLC and in their individual capacity, covenant and agree
that they shall neither authorize the LLC nor cause the LLC to xxx or to
exercise any other right and remedy which the LLC may have against Cyrk and/or
the Purchaser as a result of any alleged default under the Danvers Lease
arising from the assignment of the Danvers Lease from Cyrk to the Purchaser.
Executed as of this ____ day of June, 2001.
000 XXXXX XXXXXX LLC
By /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx By
____________________________ ______________________________
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Manager Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Manager
