EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This
Executive Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of
this 1st day of October 2005, by and between New Motion, Inc. a Delaware
corporation (the "Company")
and
Xxxxx Xxxxxx ("Executive").
1. Engagement
and Duties.
1.1 Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company
hereby engages and employs Executive as Chief Executive Officer. Executive
hereby accepts such engagement and employment.
1.2 Executive
will have access to certain confidential information and may, during the course
of his employment, develop certain information which will be the property of
the
Company. Executive will be required to sign the Company’s “Proprietary
Information and Assignment of Inventions Agreement” as a condition of his
employment under this Agreement.
1.3 Executive's
duties and responsibilities shall be as follows: those duties and
responsibilities customarily vested in the office of Chief Executive Officer
of
a corporation in the business currently conducted by the Company, subject to
the
supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors (the "Board")
of
the Company. In addition, Executive's duties shall include those duties and
services for the Company and its affiliates as the Board shall from time to
time
reasonably direct. Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Board of
Directors.
1.4 Executive
agrees to devote his primary business time, energies, skills, efforts and
attention to his duties hereunder, and will not, without the prior written
consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, render
any material services to any other business concern. Executive will use his
best
efforts and abilities faithfully and diligently to promote the Company's
business interests.
1.5 Except
for routine travel incident to the business of the Company, Executive shall
perform his duties and obligations under this Agreement principally from an
office provided by the Company in Orange County, California, or such other
location in Orange County or Los Angeles County, as the Board may from time
to
time determine.
2. Term
of Employment.
Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement shall commence on June 1st,
2005 (“Start Date”) and shall terminate on the earliest occur of the
following:
(a) the
close
of business on the third anniversary of the Start Date;
(b) the
death
of Executive;
(c) delivery
to Executive of written notice of termination by the Company if Executive shall
suffer a “permanent disability,” which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean
a physical or mental disability which renders Executive, in the reasonable
judgment of the Board, unable to perform his duties and obligations under this
Agreement for 90 days in any 12-month period;
(d) notice
to
Executive of termination by the Company for Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, Cause means: (ii) any material breach of any of the terms of this
Agreement; (ii) any act or omission knowingly undertaken or omitted by Executive
with the intent of causing damage to the Company, its properties, assets or
business, goodwill, or its stockholders, officers, directors or employees;
(ii)
commission of any material act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation,
misappropriation, embezzlement, or other act of moral turpitude; (iii)
Executive's consistent failure to perform his normal duties or any obligation
under any provision of this Agreement, in either case, as directed by the Board;
(iv) conviction of, or pleading nolo contendere to (A) any crime or offense
involving monies or other property of the Company; (B) any felony offense;
or
(C) any crime of moral turpitude; or (v) the chronic or habitual use or
consumption of drugs or alcoholic beverages; or
(e) notice
to
Executive of termination by the Company "without cause."
After
the
expiration of the Employment term under Section 2(a), if Executive continues
to
be employed by the Company, such employment shall be terminable "at will" by
either the Company or Executive and the terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall continue to apply; provided, however, that if the Company terminates
Executive's "at will" employment without Cause, then the severance amount set
forth in Section 3.1 payable to Executive as a result of such termination shall
be equal to one month's pay at Executive’s then-current base salary and such
amount shall be paid in a lump sum within 20 calendar days of the date of
Executive's termination.
In
the
event Executive is terminated for Cause pursuant to section 2(d), the Executive
shall only receive his base salary though the termination date and shall not
be
entitled to any additional compensation, including salary, bonus or commissions.
3. Compensation;
Executive Benefit Plans.
3.1 Base
Salary.
Commencing on the Start Date, the Company shall pay Executive an annual base
salary of $200,000. Executive’s annual base salary will be increased to $225,000
on the first anniversary of the Start Date and to $250,000 on the second
anniversary of the Start Date. Executive’s base salary shall be payable in
installments throughout the year in the same manner and at the same times the
Company pays base salaries to other executives of the Company. In the event
that
Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 2(e), above (i.e.,
without cause), the Company shall continue to pay Executive's then-current
base
salary and the Bonus described in Section 3.2 below as severance pay for the
balance of the initial term hereof, and Executive shall retain only those
Options described in Section 3.3, below, that have vested prior to the effective
date of such termination.
3.2 Bonus.
Executive
will also be eligible to receive a bonus (the "Bonus") at the times and in
the
amounts set forth below:
The
Bonus
will be paid in cash pursuant to the schedule below and will accrue on each
monthly anniversary of the Start Date for a period of thirty-six months (the
“Bonus Period”). At the end of each calendar month following the Start Date,
Executive shall accrue a bonus of 5% of the Company’s then completed month’s
net, before tax but after deduction from Net Income of other executives’
bonuses, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principals (“GAAP”). The accrued bonus for each monthly period shall be payable
under this paragraph within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter
in
the Bonus Period and upon completion of the un-audited interim financial
statements of the Company (or its successor) for each such calendar quarter
for
which a Bonus is payable hereunder (the “Bonus Payment Date”). The Bonus for any
month in the Bonus Period which is less than a full month, shall be prorated
for
the applicable month. All bonus calculations shall be made by the Company,
whose
determination shall be final and binding on Executive and the Company absent
manifest error.
2
In
the
event of an adjustment to the financial statements used above, occasioned by
results of the actual year end audit, the Executive and the Company shall make
an adjusting payment (in cash, or stock if the stock election has been made)
to
one another, as necessary, to reflect any change to the financial information
used to calculate the bonus payable hereunder.
3.3 Stock
Options.
Subject
to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors, you will be granted an option
to purchase up to 400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Options”)
at an exercise valued at the fair market value of the stock as of the Value
Determination Date (defined below). For purposes hereof, if the Company is
a
private company, the fair market value of the stock as of the last day in the
applicable quarterly period (the “Value Determination Date”) shall be determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. If the Company is public
at that time, the fair market value of the stock on the Value Determination
Date
shall be the average closing price of the stock on the market on which it is
then being traded for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the Value
Determination Date. The Options will be governed by and granted pursuant to
a
separate Stock Option Agreement. The Options will be subject to vesting so
long
as you continue to be employed by the Company, according to the following
schedule set
forth
in the Stock Option Agreement.
3.4 Vacation.
You
will receive two weeks paid vacation, one week will vest immediately upon the
Start Date and you shall accrue the other week. During the second year of your
employment, you will receive three weeks paid vacation, which shall begin to
accrue daily as of your first day of employment. All vacation shall be paid
and
earned in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy.
3.5 Other
Benefits.
During
the term of his employment hereunder, Executive and family shall be eligible
to
participate in all operative employee benefit and welfare plans of the Company
then in effect from time to time and in respect of which all executives of
the
Company generally are entitled to participate ("Company Executive Benefit
Plans"), including, to the extent then in effect, auto allowances, group life,
medical, disability and other insurance plans, all on the same basis applicable
to employees of the Company whose level of management and authority is
comparable to that of Executive. The costs of which shall be borne by the
Company.
3.6 The
Company reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any and all of
the
above-mentioned plans, practices, policies and programs at any time as long
as
such action is taken generally with respect to other similarly situated
executives of the Company.
3.7 The
Company may deduct from any compensation payable to Executive the minimum
amounts sufficient to cover applicable federal, state and/or local income tax
withholding, old-age and survivors' and other social security payments, state
disability and other insurance premiums and payments. This shall also apply
to
bonus payments where Executive elects to receive stock instead of cash, except
that Executive shall provide the funds necessary for the Company to comply
with
its withholding obligations. This may be accomplished either by depositing
such
funds with the Company or the Company is authorized to offset the amounts
required for withholding from Executive’s Base Salary.
3
4. Expenses.
4.1 Generally.
Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for the reasonable
costs and expenses which he incurs in connection with the performance of his
duties and obligations under this Agreement in a manner consistent with the
Company's practices and policies as adopted or approved from time to time by
the
Board for executive officers generally.
4.2 Travel.
All
travel requests must be approved in advance by the Chief Executive Officer.
The
Company will reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred by him for
business travel, including transportation, lodging and reasonable entertainment
expenses, pursuant to the Company’s Travel Policy.
4.3 Vehicle.
The
Company will reimburse Executive for automobile expenses for one vehicle,
including lease or finance payments, gasoline, insurance, maintenance, repairs
and all other reasonable costs associated with the vehicle, up to a maximum
reimbursement of $1,200 per month.
4.4 Mobile
Telephone/PDA.
The
Company will reimburse Executive for the monthly fees associated with a mobile
telephone and Blackberry service, up to a maximum of $300 per month.
5. Dispute
Resolution.
5.1 Agreement
to Arbitrate.
Executive and the Company agree to arbitrate before a neutral arbitrator any
and
all disputes or claims arising from or relating to Executive’s recruitment to or
employment with the Company, or the termination of that employment, including
claims against any current or former agent or employee of the Company, whether
the disputes or claims arise in tort, contract, or pursuant to a statute,
regulation, or ordinance now in existence or which may in the future be enacted
or recognized, including, but not limited to, the following claims:
·
|
claims
for fraud, promissory estoppel, fraudulent inducement of contract
or
breach of contract or contractual obligation, whether such alleged
contract or obligation be oral, written, or express or implied by
fact or
law;
|
·
|
claims
for wrongful termination of employment, violation of public policy
and
constructive discharge, infliction of emotional distress,
misrepresentation, interference with contract or prospective economic
advantage, defamation, unfair business practices, and any other tort
or
tort-like causes of action relating to or arising from the employment
relationship or the formation or termination
thereof;
|
4
·
|
claims
of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any and all federal,
state, or municipal statutes, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit
discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in employment, as well
as
claims for violation of any other federal, state, or municipal statute,
regulation, or ordinance, except as set forth herein;
and
|
·
|
claims
for non-payment or incorrect payment of wages, commissions, bonuses,
severance, employee fringe benefits, stock options and the like,
whether
such claims be pursuant to alleged express or implied contract or
obligation, equity, the California Labor Code, the Fair Labor Standards
Act, the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act, and any other
federal,
state, or municipal laws concerning wages, compensation or employee
benefits.
|
5.2 Claims
Excluded from Arbitration.
The
Company and Executive understand and agree that arbitration of the disputes
and
claims covered by this Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive mechanism
for
resolving any and all existing and future disputes or claims arising out of
Executive’s recruitment to or employment with the Company or the termination
thereof. The Company and Executive further understand and agree that the
following disputes and claims are not covered by this Agreement and shall
therefore be resolved as permitted or required by the law then in
effect:
·
|
claims
for workers’ compensation benefits, unemployment insurance, or state or
federal disability insurance;
|
·
|
claims
for injunctive and/or other equitable relief;
and
|
·
|
any
other dispute or claim that has been expressly excluded from arbitration
by law.
|
Also,
nothing in this section should be interpreted as restricting or prohibiting
Executive from filing a charge or complaint with a federal, state, or local
administrative agency charged with investigating and/or prosecuting complaints
under any applicable federal, state or municipal law or regulation. Any dispute
or claim that is not resolved through the federal, state, or local agency must
be submitted to arbitration in accordance with this section.
5.3 Waiver
of Court or Jury Trial.
Executive and the Company understand and agree that the arbitration of disputes
and claims under this section shall be instead of a trial before a court or
jury
or a hearing before a government agency. Executive and the Company understand
and agree that, by signing this Agreement, Executive and the Company are
expressly waiving any and all rights to a trial before a court or jury or before
a government agency regarding any disputes and claims which we now have or
which
we may in the future have that are subject to arbitration under this
section.
5.4 Arbitration
Procedures.
The
arbitrator shall issue a written award that sets forth the essential findings
and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall have the
authority to award any relief authorized by law in connection with the asserted
claims or disputes. The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding on both
the Company and Executive and it shall provide the exclusive remedy(ies) for
resolving any and all disputes and claims subject to arbitration under this
section. The arbitrator’s award shall be subject to correction, confirmation, or
vacation, as provided by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1285.8
et
seq and any applicable California case law setting forth the standard of
judicial review of arbitration awards.
5
The
arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the National Rules for the
Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association;
provided, however, that the Arbitrator shall allow the discovery authorized
by
California Code of Civil Procedure section 1283.05 or any other discovery
required by California law. Also, to the extent that any of the National Rules
for the Resolution of Employment Disputes or anything in this Agreement
conflicts with any arbitration procedures required by California law, the
arbitration procedures required by California law shall govern.
5.5 Place
of Arbitration.
The
arbitration shall take place in Orange County, California, or, at the
Executive’s option, the county in which the Executive resides at the time the
arbitrable dispute(s) or claim(s) arose, or in any county in which venue would
have been proper if Executive were free to bring the dispute(s) or claim(s)
in
court.
5.6 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement and its validity, construction and performance shall be governed
by
the laws of the State of California, without reference to rules relating to
conflicts of law. Any dispute(s) and claim(s) to be arbitrated under this
section shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without
reference to rules relating to conflicts of law.
5.7 Costs
of Arbitration.
The
Company will bear the arbitrator’s fee and any other type of expense or cost
that the employee would not be required to bear if he or she were free to bring
the dispute(s) or claim(s) in court as well as any other expense or cost that
is
unique to arbitration. The Company and Executive shall each bear their own
attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the arbitration, and the arbitrator
will not have authority to award attorneys’ fees unless a statute or contract at
issue in the dispute authorizes the award of attorneys’ fees to the prevailing
party, in which case the arbitrator shall have the authority to make an award
of
attorneys’ fees as required or permitted by applicable law. If there is a
dispute as to whether the Company or Executive is the prevailing party in the
arbitration, the arbitrator will decide this issue.
5.8 Knowing
Waiver.
Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney of his our own choosing
before signing this Agreement, and has had an opportunity to do so. Executive
agrees that he has read this section carefully and understands that by signing
this Agreement, he is waiving all rights to a trial or hearing before a court
or
jury of any and all disputes and claims regarding Executive’s employment with
the Company or the recruitment to or termination thereof (except as otherwise
stated herein).
6
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Notices.
All
notices, requests and other communications (collectively, "Notices") given
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be delivered by
personal service or by United States first class, registered or certified mail
(return receipt requested), postage prepaid, addressed to the party at the
address set forth below:
If
to Company:
|
New
Motion, Inc
|
00
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx 000
|
|
Xxxxxx
XX 00000
|
|
000-000-0000
(phone)
|
|
000-000-0000
(fax)
|
|
Attn:
Board of Directors
|
|
If
to Executive:
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
00
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxx XX
00000
|
Any
Notice shall be deemed duly given when received by the addressee thereof,
provided that any Notice sent by registered or certified mail shall be deemed
to
have been duly given three days from date of deposit in the United States mails,
unless sooner received. Either party may from time to time change its address
for further Notices hereunder by giving notice to the other party in the manner
prescribed in this section.
6.2 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement contains the sole and entire Agreement and understanding of the
parties with respect to the entire subject matter of this Agreement, and any
and
all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments and understandings, whether
oral or otherwise, related to the subject matter of this Agreement are hereby
merged herein. No representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, other
than those contained in this Agreement have been relied upon by any party to
this Agreement.
6.3 Severability.
The
Company and Executive believe the covenants contained in this Agreement are
reasonable and fair in all respects, and are necessary to protect the interests
of the Company and Executive. However, in case any one or more of the provisions
or parts of a provision contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason,
be
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in any jurisdiction,
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provision or part of a provision of this Agreement or any other jurisdiction,
but this Agreement shall be reformed and construed in any such jurisdiction
as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or part of a provision
had
never been contained herein and such provision or part shall be reformed so
that
it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted in
such
jurisdiction.
6.4 Neutral
Interpretation.
This
Agreement constitutes the product of the negotiation of the parties hereto
and
the enforcement hereof shall be interpreted in a neutral manner, and not more
strongly for or against either party based upon the source of the draftsmanship
hereof.
7
6.5 Captions.
The
various captions of this Agreement are for reference only and shall not be
considered or referred to in resolving questions of interpretation of this
Agreement.
6.6 Indemnification.
The
Company shall provide indemnification for its directors and officers (which
shall include Executive) to the maximum extent allowed by the Company’s Articles
of Incorporation, by-laws or Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law.
6.7 Business
Day.
If the
last day permissible for delivery of any Notice under any provision of this
Agreement, or for the performance of any obligation under this Agreement, shall
be other than a business day, such last day for such Notice or performance
shall
be extended to the next following business day (provided, however, under no
circumstances shall this provision be construed to extend the date of
termination of this Agreement).
6.8 Miscellaneous
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. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
of
this Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire Agreement and understanding
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and
may
not be modified orally, but only by a writing subscribed by the party charged
therewith. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties,
covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred
to
herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior Agreements and understandings
(whether oral or written) between the parties with respect to such subject
matter.
In
witness whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
set forth above.
Company:
|
Executive:
|
|
New
Motion, Inc.
|
||
By:
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Board Member
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
8