EXHIBIT 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated and effective as of January 1, 1997 (the
"Agreement"), between IMAX CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws
of Canada ("Imax"), and XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive
Officer of Imax and is employed pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated as of
March 1, 1994, as amended by a resolution of the Imax Board of Directors (the
"Board") dated January 31, 1995 and by a letter agreement dated September 14,
1995; and
WHEREAS, the Board has approved revised terms of employment, effective
January 1, 1997, on February 13, 1997 and on May 6, 1997; and
WHEREAS, Imax wishes to enter into this Agreement to engage the Executive
to provide services to Imax, and the Executive wishes to be so engaged, pursuant
to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment. (a) Imax hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive
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hereby agrees to serve, in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
(b) The Executive's compensation as Co-Chief Executive Officer under this
Agreement shall commence on the effective date hereof (the "Commencement Date"),
and shall continue until the second anniversary of the Commencement Date (the
"Employment Term"). Nine months prior to such second anniversary, Imax shall
inform the Executive of its intent to extend the Employment Term. Imax shall so
inform the Executive after receiving the recommendation of the CEO Advisors (as
defined in Imax's Articles of Incorporation). If Imax notifies the Executive
that it does not intend to extend the Employment Term, then Imax, with the CEO
Advisors and a non-management committee of the Board, shall initiate an
executive search process. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, upon
such second anniversary and thereafter upon each successive anniversary of the
Commencement Date, the Employment Term may be extended by written agreement of
the parties for additional one-year periods.
(c) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall perform such services
with respect to Imax's business as may be reasonably requested from time to time
by the Board and which are consistent with the Executive's status and the
function
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performed by individuals holding a similar position with similarly situated
companies, and agrees to act in accordance with the written instructions of the
Board. Such services shall be performed primarily within the United States.
(d) The Executive shall devote that portion of his business time that is
necessary to perform the services reasonably required of him hereunder, subject
to any conflicting engagements the Executive may have. The Executive agrees
that during the Employment Term (i) he will use reasonable efforts to resolve
any conflicting engagements and (ii) he will remain actively involved in Imax's
business.
(e) As compensation for the services to be performed by the Executive
hereunder during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
a base salary ("Base Salary") of U.S. $710,000 per annum, payable no less
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frequently than monthly in accordance with Imax's payroll practices.
(f) In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be eligible to
participate during the Employment Term in the annual incentive bonus plan
adopted by the Board. The Executive shall be paid a bonus in respect of each of
1997 and 1998 at a standardized level of U.S. $710,000 per year (the
"Standard"). Based on certain qualitative and quantitative measures determined
by the CEO Advisors and the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the
Board, as set forth below, the Committee shall determine the actual bonus paid,
which shall be a multiple of the Standard ranging from 0.0x - 2.0 x, provided,
however, that the multiple shall be at least 1.0x if Imax's reported earnings
per share (EPS) for the year meet the approved budget target (except that, if in
the sole discretion of the Committee, the achievement EPS target was at the
expense of, or to the material detriment of, other(s) of the qualitative and
quantitative measures set forth below, then such minimum shall not apply). The
bonus shall be paid within 50 days of the applicable year end.
The determination by the Committee of the Executive's actual bonus for
1997 and for 1998 shall be consistent with the determination of the Executive's
bonus for 1996, and shall consider the overall performance of Imax, taken as a
whole.
Among the various factors the Committee shall consider in determining the
bonus to be paid are: (i) the actual financial performance of Imax versus the
approved budget for EBITDA, EPS, revenue growth, and/or other financial targets;
and (ii) the Committee shall also take into account other qualitative factors
including (in no order of importance): progress in theater signings,
development of an enhanced management team, improved performance of the Ridefilm
division, further advancement of Imax's film strategy, progress in "owned and
operated" strategy, brand development, continued growth of the business, and
other performance related issues including, but not limited to, other goals
established in the budget process approved by the Board.
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(g) At the beginning of each of 1997 and 1998, Imax shall grant the
Executive the right to receive 15,000 common shares of Imax (the "Restricted
Stock"). If such Restricted Stock may not be issued without shareholder
approval, it shall be issued as "phantom stock". The Executive shall have the
right to request the Restricted Stock be issued to him (or, if "phantom stock"
is utilized, have payment made to him in an amount equal to the fair market
value of such number of common shares of Imax on the date of such request), at
any time after January 1, 1998 and January 1, 1999, respectively. The
Restricted Stock shall be adjusted for stock splits and other similar events
after the effective date hereof. The provisions of this Section 1(g) shall
survive any termination of thisImax agrees to indemnify the Executive, on an
after-tax basis, for any income taxes imposed by any taxing authority and
resulting from any taxable benefit to the Executive with respect to the
Restricted Stock (or "phantom stock") arising prior to the date of any such
request. which arises prior to the date of any such request. The provisions of
this Section 1(g) shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
(h) The Executive has been granted effective January 2, 1997, in
accordance with the terms of the Imax Stock Option Plan, 40,000 options to
purchase common shares, which options were exercisable immediately upon grant
and expire on January 1, 2004. The exercise price of such options in accordance
with the Stock Option Plan is U.S. $31.50. Effective January 2, 1998, the
Executive shall be granted a further 40,000 options, exercisable immediately
upon grant and expiring January 1, 2005. The exercise price of such options
shall be determined in accordance with the Stock Option Plan.
All of the Executive's stock options shall be adjusted for stock splits and
other similar events after the effective date hereof and shall contain other
terms no less favorable to the Executive than the management stock options of
Imax's other senior level executives. If the Executive shall voluntarily resign
prior to the end of the Employment Term, all of the options granted in 1997 and
1998 shall be exercised by the Executive within 30 days of such resignation.
(i) The Executive shall, during the Employment Term, be eligible to receive
employee benefits at a level not less than those established by Imax for, or
made available to, its other key employees.
(j) Imax agrees to reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of his obligations under
this Agreement for which documentation reasonably satisfactory to Imax is
provided, including expenses relating to the Executive's travel to, and
performance of duties in, Toronto, Canada.
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(k) Any amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall be
subject to applicable withholding taxes, and such other deductions as may be
required under applicable law.
2. Restrictions on Competitive Employment. During the Employment Term,
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absent Imax's prior written approval, the Executive shall not (as principal,
agent, employee, consultant or otherwise), directly or indirectly, engage in
activities with, or render services to, any business engaged or about to become
engaged in the business of producing or distributing projection and sound
systems or films for large screen theaters or designing or supplying motion
simulation theaters or producing or distributing films or movie rides
(collectively, "Competitive Business"); provided, however, that, notwithstanding
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the foregoing, the Executive may (i) have equity interests in companies engaged
in a Competitive Business so long as he is not employed by and does not consult
with such companies in areas related to the Competitive Business, (ii) render
consulting services to or be employed by a company engaged in a Competitive
Business so long as he is not employed in, or rendering services related to, the
Competitive Business of such company or (iii) perform usual investment banking
services for a company engaged in a Competitive Business.
3. Confidentiality. The Executive covenants and agrees with Imax that,
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subject to Section 2 above, he will not at any time, except in performance of
his obligations to Imax hereunder or with the prior written consent of Imax,
directly or indirectly, disclose any secret or confidential information that he
may learn or has learned by reason of his association with Imax or any of its
subsidiaries. The term "confidential information" includes information not
previously disclosed to the public or to the trade by Imax's management, or
otherwise in the public domain, with respect to Imax's or any of its
subsidiaries' products, facilities, applications and methods, trade secrets and
other intellectual property, systems, procedures, manuals, confidential reports,
product price lists, customer lists, technical information, financial
information, business plans, prospects or opportunities, but shall exclude any
information which (i) is or becomes available to the public or is generally
known in the industry or industries in which Imax operates other than as a
result of disclosure by the Executive in violation of his agreements under this
Section 3 or (ii) the Executive is required to disclose under any applicable
laws, regulations or directives of any government agency, tribunal or authority
having jurisdiction in the manner or under the subpoena or other process of law.
4. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any right, interest or
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obligation hereunder shall be assignable by the Executive without the prior
written consent of Imax. Neither this Agreement nor any right, interest or
obligation hereunder shall be assignable by Imax without the prior written
consent of the Executive, except that Imax may assign this Agreement or any such
right, interest or obligation to an affiliate of
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Imax without consent of the Executive; provided, however, that no such
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assignment shall relieve Imax of any of its obligations hereunder.
5. Indemnification. (a) Imax shall hold the Executive harmless and
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indemnify the Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
against any and all liabilities (and all expenses related thereto) incurred by
the Executive as a result of, or in connection with, the services provided under
this Agreement; provided, however, that such indemnification shall not apply
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with respect to any action taken by the Executive that (i) is contrary to the
written instructions of the Board or (ii) constitutes gross negligence or
willful misconduct. Imax shall maintain a director and officer's liability
insurance policy covering the Executive and containing customary terms and
conditions.
(b) Imax shall hold the Executive harmless and indemnify the Executive, on
an after-tax basis, against the amount of any income taxes imposed by Revenue
Canada, the United States Federal government or any state or local taxing
authority in Canada or the United States (collectively, "Taxes") with respect to
any amounts payable to the Executive under Section 1 of this Agreement, to the
extent such Taxes exceed the amount of Taxes that would have been imposed on
such amounts had all of the services performed by the Executive under this
Agreement been performed within the United States. Imax shall hold the
Executive harmless and indemnify the Executive, on an after-tax basis, against
the amount of any penalties or interest that are imposed on the Executive by
Revenue Canada, the United States Federal government or any state or local
taxing authority in Canada or the United States as a result of Imax's failure to
properly withhold any tax with respect to any amounts payable to the Executive
under Section 1 of this Agreement, to the extent such penalties or interest are
not attributable to the failure of the Executive to file any required tax
returns or pay any required taxes or any other willful act or omission of the
Executive.
6. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
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binding upon, the parties hereto, any successors to or permitted assigns of the
parties hereto.
7. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
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Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and either delivered in person or
sent by first class certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the
parties at the following address (or to such other address or addresses as
either party shall have designated in writing to the other party hereto:)
(a) if to Imax:
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
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Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Attention: General Counsel
(b) if to the Executive:
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX, 00000
8. Severability; Waiver. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
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determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part, neither
the validity of the remaining part of such provision nor the validity of any
other provision of this Agreement shall in any way be affected thereby. Failure
to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant or condition hereof
shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant or condition, nor shall any
waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.
9. Injunctive Relief. Without intending to limit the remedies available
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to Imax or the Executive, as the case may be, in the event of a breach or
threatened breach of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement, Imax or
the Executive, as the case my be, shall be entitled to seek such injunctive
relief as may be required specifically to enforce any such covenant.
10. Miscellaneous. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
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parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates
all prior agreements, oral and written, between the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, nothing
in this Agreement shall abrogate the Executive's entitlement to the Special
Bonus payable after a sale of Imax or the exercise of the Executive's
liquidation rights. Further, Imax shall continue to use its best efforts to
cause the Executive to be elected to the Board and to the designation as a CEO
Advisor under Imax's by-laws. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by
an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto. This Agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original,
but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
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accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada
applicable therein without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Imax and the Executive have duly executed and delivered
this Agreement, as of the day and year first above written, on this 16th day of
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May, 1997.
IMAX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Executive Vice President, Operations
and Chief Financial Officer
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Vice President and Corporate Controller
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
