Exhibit 10.22
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of June 1, 2005, is
between aQuantive, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx ("EXECUTIVE").
RECITALS
A. Executive currently serves as President of Avenue A|Razorfish Central,
which is operated as a region of a business unit of the Company. The Company
desires to continue to retain the services of Executive, and desires to provide
him with certain benefits for a defined period of time as specified in this
Agreement, at the conclusion of which the parties currently expect Executive's
employment by the Company to continue on an at-will basis.
B. Executive is willing to continue to provide services to the Company upon
the terms and conditions set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
For and in consideration of the foregoing premises and for other good and
valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT
The Company will employ Executive and Executive will accept employment by
the Company as the President of Avenue A|Razorfish Central. During Executive's
employment, Executive shall serve the Company faithfully and to the best of his
ability, devoting substantially all his working time, attention and energies to
the business of the Company. Executive's status, duties and responsibilities
shall be reasonably commensurate with his title, and he shall perform such
duties as are lawfully assigned to him. Executive shall not engage in any other
business activity (except the management of personal investments and charitable
and civic activities which in the aggregate do not interfere with the
performance of Executive's duties hereunder) without first obtaining the written
consent of the Company's President and CEO.
2. TERM
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the provisions contained
in paragraph 5, the Executive's employment by the Company shall be for a term
(the "TERM") ending on March 15, 2007. This Agreement may only be extended
beyond the Term by a separate written renewal agreement. In the absence of such
renewal agreement, if the Executive's employment continues beyond the Term, such
employment shall be on an at-will basis and upon such terms as the parties may
thereupon agree. The date on which the Executive ceases to be employed by the
Company, regardless of the reason therefore is referred to in this Agreement as
the "DATE OF TERMINATION."
3. COMPENSATION
3.1. Base Salary. As compensation for his services hereunder, during the
Term the Company shall pay the Executive in accordance with its normal payroll
practices, an annualized base salary of a minimum of $325,000 (the "BASE
SALARY").
3.2. Bonus. As additional compensation under this Agreement, Executive will
be entitled to participate in the Company's bonus program, with Executive's
target bonus level, and any subsequent award of a bonus under such program,
being determined in the sole discretion of the Company's CEO and/or Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. With respect to calendar year
2005, Executive's bonus target has been established at 40% of base salary.
3.3 Stock Options. In addition, Executive may from time to time be granted
additional options under the aQuantive 1999 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan or
a successor or other employee stock option plan (collectively referred to as the
"COMPANY OPTION PLANS"). Any further grant of options to Executive under the
Option Plan will be determined by the Company's CEO and/or Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of aQuantive in its sole discretion, and
will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Plan.
4. BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
4.1 Benefits. During his employment, Executive will be entitled to
participate in all health, disability, life insurance, PTO and similar employee
benefit plans in which executives of the Company are generally eligible to
participate.
4.2 Expense Reimbursement. During his employment, the Company will
reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the course of
performing his duties under this Agreement to the extent consistent with the
Company's policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel,
entertainment and other business expenses, and subject to the Company's
requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.
5. TERMINATION
Employment of Executive pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated as
follows:
5.1. BY THE COMPANY
With or without Cause (as defined below), the Company may terminate the
employment of Executive at any time upon giving Notice of Termination (as
defined below).
5.2. BY EXECUTIVE
Executive may terminate his employment at any time, for any reason, upon
giving Notice of Termination.
5.3. AUTOMATIC TERMINATION
This Agreement and Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate
automatically upon the death or total disability of Executive. The term "total
disability" as used herein shall mean
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Executive's inability to perform the duties set forth in paragraph 1 hereof for
a period or periods aggregating ninety (90) calendar days in any 12-month period
as a result of physical or mental illness, loss of legal capacity or any other
cause beyond Executive's control, unless Executive is granted a leave of absence
by the Company. Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that Executive's
ability to perform the duties specified in paragraph 1 hereof is of the essence
of this Agreement. Termination hereunder shall be deemed to be effective (a) at
the end of the calendar month in which Executive's death occurs or (b)
immediately upon a determination by the Board of Directors of the Company of
Executive's total disability, as defined herein.
5.4. NOTICE
The term "Notice of Termination" shall mean at least thirty (30) days'
written notice of termination, by either party, of Executive's employment,
during which period Executive's employment and performance of services will
continue; provided, however, that the Company may, upon notice to Executive and
without reducing Executive's compensation during such period, excuse Executive
from any or all of his duties during such period. Such a reduction in duties
shall not constitute "good reason" for voluntary termination so as to trigger
termination payments in accordance with subparagraph 6.2.
6. TERMINATION PAYMENTS
In the event of termination of the employment of Executive, all
compensation and benefits set forth in this Agreement shall terminate except as
specifically provided in this paragraph 6. Subject to subparagraph 6.1(c), any
unvested options held by Executive on the Termination Date shall expire and be
cancelled, and any options that are vested will remain exercisable following the
Termination Date for the period of time specified in the Stock Option Plan under
which such options were granted.
6.1. TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY
(a) Upon termination by the Company, the Company shall pay Executive any
unpaid Base Salary accrued through the Termination Date. Such payment will be
made on the Termination Date or within 15 days thereafter.
(b) If, during the Term, the Company terminates Executive's employment
without Cause (as defined below), then Executive shall be entitled to receive
termination payments equal to six (6) months annual Base Salary. The termination
payments will be paid semi-monthly in equal parts in accordance with the same
time schedule that the Company makes its customary payroll. The Company may
deduct customary withholdings including social security, federal and state
income taxes, and state disability insurance from these severance payments;
however, any and all such obligations shall be Executive's responsibility. The
Company will issue and file appropriate tax documents in connection with any
termination payments. The termination payments described in this paragraph are
expressly contingent upon Executive's signing upon termination a release in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and are further contingent upon Executive's
full compliance with the terms of the Confidentiality, Inventions Assignment,
Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreement with the Company (the
"CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT") and referenced in paragraph 7 below. In the event
Executive were to materially breach the Confidentiality Agreement, his right to
any termination payments under this paragraph shall be extinguished, the Company
shall cease payments, and Executive shall immediately return to the Company any
termination payments
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already made. If Executive is terminated by the Company for Cause, Executive
shall not be entitled to receive any of the foregoing benefits, other than those
set forth in clause (a) above.
(c) If, during the Term, the Company terminates Executive's employment
without Cause, then the portion of any aQuantive stock option or substitute
option held by Executive (whether granted prior to or following the date of this
Agreement) immediately prior to the Termination Date that is unvested shall
automatically vest, immediately prior to the Termination Date, in an amount
equal to the portion that would have vested during the six months immediately
following the Termination Date, assuming, for purpose of determining the amount,
that no termination had occurred and Executive had continued his employment with
aQuantive during that period.
6.2. TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE
In the case of the termination of Executive's employment by Executive for
Good Reason, as defined below, Executive shall be paid the compensation and
termination benefits set forth in clauses 6.1(a), (b) and (c), above. In the
case of termination of Executive's employment by Executive for any other reason,
Executive shall be paid the compensation set forth in clause 6.1(a) and shall
not be entitled to the benefits under clause 6.1(b) or 6.1(c), above.
6.3. TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF DEATH OR TOTAL DISABILITY
In the event of termination of Executive's employment pursuant to
subparagraph 5.3, Executive or his estate shall be paid the compensation set
forth in clause 6.1(a) and shall not be entitled to any of the benefits under
clause 6.1(b) or 6.1(c), above.
6.4. "GOOD REASON"
"Good reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events,
without the consent of the Executive:
a) a demotion or other material reduction in the nature or status of
Executive's responsibilities; provided, however, that a change in
the person or office to which Executive reports, without a
corresponding reduction in duties and responsibilities, shall not
constitute "good reason;"
b) an involuntary reduction in the Executive's annual Base Salary;
c) requirement that the Executive relocate his principal place of
employment to a location that is more than 50 miles from the
principal place of employment where Executive was employed
immediately prior; or
d) the failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any successor company to assume and perform the obligations
under this Agreement.
6.5. CAUSE
Wherever reference is made in this Agreement to termination being with or
without Cause, "Cause" shall include, without limitation, the occurrence of one
or more of the following events:
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a) willful misconduct, insubordination, or dishonesty in the
performance of Executive's duties or other knowing and material
violation of the Company's policies and procedures in effect from
time to time;
b) the continued failure of Executive to satisfactorily perform his
duties after receipt of written notice that specifically
identifies the areas in which Executive's performance is
deficient and states a reasonable period of time during which
Executive may cure such deficiencies, which period shall not be
less than 90 days;
c) willful actions (or intentional failures to act) in bad faith by
Executive with respect to the Company that materially impair the
Company's business, goodwill or reputation;
d) conviction of Executive of a felony involving an act of
dishonesty, moral turpitude, deceit or fraud, or the commission
of acts that could reasonably be expected to result in such a
conviction;
e) current use by the Executive of illegal substances; or
f) any material violation by Executive of Executive's
Confidentiality Agreement with the Company.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY, NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION AGREEMENT; OTHER
STANDARD AGREEMENTS
Executive is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement entered
into in connection with this Agreement and the terms of the Confidentiality
Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive's employment with the
Company. Executive further agrees to enter into any additional agreements that
may be required to be executed generally by the Company's employees of
comparable position and responsibilities, including, without limitation, the
Company's Code of Conduct and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Policy.
8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO VIOLATION
In order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement, Executive
represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution nor the
performance of this Agreement by Executive will violate or conflict in any way
with any other agreement by which Executive may be bound, or with any other
duties imposed upon Executive by corporate or other statutory or common law.
9. NOTICE AND CURE OF BREACH
Whenever a breach of this Agreement by either party is relied upon as
justification for any action taken by the other party pursuant to any provision
of this Agreement, other than pursuant to the definition of "Cause" set forth in
subparagraph 6.5 hereof, before such action is taken, the party asserting the
breach of this Agreement shall give the other party at least 14 days' prior
written notice of the existence and the nature of such breach before taking
further action hereunder and shall give
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the party purportedly in breach of this Agreement the opportunity to correct
such breach during the 14-day period.
10. NOTICE
All notices given under this Agreement must be given in writing and must be
either personally delivered, sent by electronic facsimile transmission with
receipt confirmed, sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, or sent by reputable overnight courier, to the address set forth
below or at such other address as may hereafter be designated by notice given in
compliance with the terms hereof:
If to Executive: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
__________________________
__________________________
If to the Company: aQuantive, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: President and CEO
If notice is mailed or sent by overnight courier, such notice shall be effective
upon mailing or delivery to the courier service, or if notice is personally
delivered or sent by electronic facsimile transmission, it shall be effective
upon receipt.
11. ARBITRATION
Any controversies or claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement
shall be fully and finally settled by arbitration in the city in which the party
against whom the claim is brought is located (i.e., Seattle in the case of a
claim brought by Executive, and Chicago in the case of a claim brought by the
Company) in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect (the "AAA Rules"), conducted by one
arbitrator either mutually agreed upon by the Company and Executive or chosen in
accordance with the AAA Rules, except that the parties thereto shall have any
right to discovery as would be permitted by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
for a period of 90 days following the commencement of such arbitration and the
arbitrator thereof shall resolve any dispute which arises in connection with
such discovery. The prevailing party shall be entitled to costs, expenses and
reasonable attorneys' fees, and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
12. GENERAL PROVISIONS
12.1 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, for any reason,
including, without limitation, the duration of such provision, its geographical
scope or the extent of the activities prohibited or required by it, then, to the
full extent permitted by law (a) all other provisions hereof shall remain in
full force and effect in such jurisdiction and shall be liberally construed in
order to carry out the intent of the parties hereto as nearly as may be
possible, (b) such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision hereof, and (c)
any court or arbitrator having
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jurisdiction thereover shall have the power to reform such provision to the
extent necessary for such provision to be enforceable under applicable law.
12.2 Complete Agreement. This Agreement, the exhibits hereto and any
documents expressly referred to herein, on and as of the date hereof embody the
complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt
any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the
parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof.
12.3 Counterparts. This Agreement, and any modification or amendment
entered into pursuant to paragraph 12.6 below, may be executed in separate
counterparts, none of which needs to contain the signature of more than one
party, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
constitute one and the same agreement.
12.4 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is personal to Executive and is
not assignable by Executive. The Company may assign its rights hereunder to (a)
any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or other reorganization
to which the Company is a party or (b) any corporation, partnership, association
or other person to which the Company may transfer all or substantially all of
the assets and business of the Company existing at such time. All of the terms
and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
12.5 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall in all respects, including all
matters of construction, validity and performance, be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the state of Washington, without
regard to any rules governing conflicts of laws.
12.6 Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended
or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the Executive,
and no course of conduct or failure to delay in enforcing the provisions of this
Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this
Agreement.
12.7 Headings. All headings used herein are for convenience only and shall
not in any way affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in
interpreting, this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and entered into this
Agreement on the date set forth above.
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
aQuantive, Inc.
/s/ Xxxxx XxXxxxxxx
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By Xxxxx XxXxxxxxx
Its President and CEO
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