EXHIBIT 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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AGREEMENT, dated as of November 11, 1998, by and between Marvel
Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") and Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx (the "Executive").
1. Employment Term. The Company hereby agrees to employ the
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Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to enter the employ of the Company,
on the terms and conditions set forth herein, commencing on December 7, 1998
(the "Effective Date") and terminating on December 7, 2001 (the "Scheduled
Termination Date"), unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 4 below
(the "Employment Term"). The Scheduled Termination Date shall be automatically
postponed for one year, and the Employment Term shall be automatically extended
by one year, unless either party hereto provides the other party with written
notice, not later than the second anniversary of the Effective Date, of its
election not to permit the Employment Term to be so extended, and the Scheduled
Termination Date shall thereafter be automatically postponed for one additional
year and the Employment Term shall thereafter be automatically extended by one
additional year, on each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date, unless
either party provides the other party with written notice, not later than sixty
(60) days prior to such subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date, of its
election not to permit the Employment Term to be so extended.
2. Title/Duties/Authority.
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(a) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be employed as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall be
subject to the direction and control of, and shall report directly to, the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), shall be the most senior person
performing executive responsibilities and possessing executive authority with
respect to the operation and management of the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, and all other employees of the Company shall report, directly or
indirectly, to the Executive. The Executive shall recommend for the approval of
the Compensation Committee of the Board the levels of base pay, bonus and long-
term incentive awards for employees of the Company whose annual compensation
exceeds $150,000 and executive officers of the Company and shall consult with
the Compensation Committee of the Board concerning hiring and termination of all
such employees and executive officers of the Company. During the Employment
Term, the Executive shall actively participate in all determinations concerning
acquisitions, dispositions and other major transactions engaged in by the
Company or its subsidiaries. During the Employment Term the Executive shall
serve on the Board. The Executive's place of employment shall be in New York
City, subject to required travel on Company business.
(b) During the Employment Term, and excluding any periods of
vacation, holiday and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote his full business time to the business and affairs of
the Company and to use the Executive's best efforts to perform faithfully and
efficiently such responsibilities, provided that during the first thirty (30)
days of the Employment Term, the Executive shall be permitted to devote
reasonable business time and attention to matters relating to his prior
employment with Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc. During the Employment
Term, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (a)
serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees and (b) deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, so
long as such activities do not interfere with the Executive's primary duties and
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
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(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall
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receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary") equal to $750,000. During
the Employment Term, the Executive's Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed not
less frequently than annually and may be adjusted upward, but not downward, at
the discretion of the Board.
(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
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Executive shall be eligible to earn, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Term commencing with the 1999 fiscal year, an annual bonus (the
"Annual Bonus") based on the attainment of performance goals (the "Bonus
Performance Goals") that meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation (S)1.162-
27(e)(2)(i) and (ii) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). The target Annual Bonus shall be equal to the greater of (i) 60% or
(ii) the highest target level of annual bonus award provided by the Company to
any other executive officer of the Company, of the Executive's Annual Base
Salary, and shall be reasonably scaled upwards and downwards in case of
performance above or below the Bonus Performance Goals in compliance with
Section 162(m) of the Code. One-half of each Annual Bonus shall be paid in cash
and one-half of each Annual Bonus shall be paid in common stock of the Company,
par value $0.1 per share ("Stock"), valued at the average of the average daily
high and low sale prices (or of the closing bid and asked price if high and low
sale prices are not published) for such stock as quoted on the principal
securities exchange on which such stock is listed for trading for the twenty
trading days ending on the last day of the fiscal year for which the Annual
Bonus is awarded. Each Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the
third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the
Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt
of such Annual Bonus.
(c) Stock Options. (i) The Executive will be granted, as of the
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Effective Date, a stock option (the "Option") to purchase 960,000 shares of
Stock under the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, substantially in the form
separately delivered to the Executive by the Company at the time of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Executive (the
"1998 Stock Incentive Plan"). The Company represents to the Executive that the
1998 Stock Incentive Plan has been approved by the Board. The Company agrees
that it will solicit the approval of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan by vote or
written consent of the stockholders of the Company no later than the next annual
meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The Company will promptly take all
actions necessary to list the shares available to be issued pursuant to the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan with the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE Listing"). The
exercise of the Option will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the
Company ("Stockholder Approval") and NYSE
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Listing. The exercise price with respect to each share of Stock subject to the
Option will be $6.125. Except as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, the
Option will have a term of ten years and, subject to Stockholder Approval and
NYSE Listing , will become exercisable as to one-quarter of the shares of Stock
subject thereto on each of (A) the Effective Date and (B) each of the first,
second and third anniversaries of the Effective Date, provided that the Option
shall become immediately exercisable in full upon the occurrence of a Third
Party Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) of the Company. The Company
agrees that while the Option is outstanding, it will take all reasonable actions
to assure that the conditions in Sections 17.2 and 17.4 of the 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan do not prevent the exercise of the Option or the delivery of the
shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option.
(ii) Notwithstanding Section 3(c)(i) of this Agreement, no portion of the
Option shall become exercisable after the Effective Date and prior to the
earlier of the second anniversary of the Effective Date or the occurrence of a
Third Party Change in Control (as defined below), if the effect would be to
cause an adjustment in the exercise price of the Company's Class B Warrants to
purchase shares of the Company's 8% Cumulative, Convertible, Exchangeable
Preferred Stock. Any portion of the Option which would have become exercisable
but for this Section 3(c)(ii) shall become exercisable immediately on the
earlier of (A) the second anniversary of the Effective Date, (B) the expiration
of all of the Company's Class B Warrants to purchase shares of the Company's 8%
Cumulative, Convertible, Exchangeable Preferred Stock, and (C) the occurrence of
a Third Party Change in Control. The Company agrees to notify the Executive
promptly after any portion of the Option which would have become exercisable but
for this Section 3(c)(ii) becomes exercisable.
(iii) To the extent reasonably practicable, the Company will maintain in
effect a registration statement on Form S-8 (or such other successor form as may
be applicable) with respect to the offer and sale of shares to the Executive
pursuant to the Option.
(iv) The Option will be governed by the terms and conditions of the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Option Agreement thereunder (the "Stock
Option Agreement") substantially in the form separately delivered to the
Executive by the Company at the time of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company and the Executive.
(d) Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Term, the
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Executive shall be eligible to participate in all savings and retirement plans,
practices, policies and programs, if any, that are applicable generally to other
senior executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
(e) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, the Executive
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and his family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all
benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided
by the Company and its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life,
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group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs,
if any) that are applicable generally to other senior executives of the Company
and its subsidiaries.
(f) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for
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all reasonable expenses actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the
Employment Term in the performance of the Executive's services under this
Agreement, in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies
applicable to its most senior executive officers but in no event less frequently
than bi-weekly upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as the Company customarily may require of such officers.
(g) Legal Fees. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for the
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reasonable cost of preparation and review of this Employment Agreement.
(h) Vacation and Holidays. During the Employment Term, the Executive
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shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per year to be taken in
accordance with the vacation policy of the Company and shall also be entitled to
all other paid holidays given to employees of the Company. At the conclusion of
each calendar year, unused vacation days, if any, shall be forfeited.
4. Termination of Employment.
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(a) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
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during the Employment Term for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
shall mean: (i) the conviction of, or pleading guilty to, a felony or crime
involving moral turpitude; or (ii) the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or
one of its affiliates after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Executive by the Board, which specifically identifies the
manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially
performed the Executive's duties or covenants under this Agreement or the
Executive's willful and material violation of Section 8(a) of this Agreement; or
(iii) any willful act of the Executive involving fraud, theft, misappropria
tion of funds or embezzlement affecting the Company or any of its affiliates or
any other willful misconduct which has, or could reasonably be expected to have,
a material adverse effect on the Company or any of its affiliates or (iv) a
disability that prohibits the Executive from substantially meeting his
responsibilities as a senior executive of the Company on a full-time basis for
90 out of 120 consecutive business days ("Disability").
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part
of the Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, by the Executive based upon authority given to the
Executive pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the
advice of regular outside counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed
to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the
best interests of the Company. Termination of the Executive's employment for
Cause shall be effective upon receipt of notice pursuant to
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Section 4(e). For purposes of this provision, termination of the Executive's
employment on account of the Disability of the Executive shall be by written
notice to the Executive, effective 30 days after receipt thereof by the
Executive, provided that, within 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall
not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
(b)(1) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by
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the Executive at any time during the Employment Term for Good Reason. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean in each case, without the
Executive's prior written consent specifically referencing this Section 4(b)(1):
(i) the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
Section 2 of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which
diminishes, in more than an immaterial manner, such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities;
(ii) failure by the Company to comply with any of the compensation
and benefits provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement;
(iii) failure by the Company to comply with any material covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement;
(iv) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office
or location outside New York City;
(v) failure of the Company to obtain Stockholder Approval or NYSE
Listing prior to June 30, 1999;
(vi) the occurrence of a Third Party Change in Control.
(vii) the occurrence of a Xxxxxxxxxx/Arad Change in Control.
To assert that an event described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii)
constitutes Good Reason, within 60 days of the date the Executive obtains actual
knowledge of that event, the Executive must have given notice to the Company
stating that Good Reason exists and identifying in reasonable detail the event
or events which the Executive believes constitute Good Reason. To terminate his
employment with the Company for Good Reason, after providing the notice
described in the preceding sentence, the Executive must thereafter notify the
Company within 120 days of obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of the event
constituting Good Reason that he desires to terminate his employment with the
Company for Good Reason as a result of such event. In the case of an event
described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the effective date of the
Executive's termination of employment shall be at least 20 but no more than 30
days after the receipt by the Company of the Executive's notice of his desire to
terminate and, if such event did not result from a bad faith action or omission
by the Company, the Company shall have an opportunity to cure prior to the
effective date of the Executive's termination. In the case of an
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event described in clause (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii), the effective date of the
Executive's termination of employment shall be the date set forth in such
notice.
(2) Definition of Third Party Change in Control. For purposes of
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this Agreement, a Third Party Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred
if (i) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")),
other than an Excluded Person or Excluded Group (as defined below) (hereinafter,
a "Third Party"), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company representing thirty-three and one-third (33%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities entitled to
vote in the election of directors of the Company, (ii) the Company is a party to
any merger, consolidation or similar transaction as a result of which the
shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially
own securities of the surviving entity representing less than fifty percent
(50%) of the combined voting power of the surviving entity's outstanding
securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of the surviving entity
or (iii) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are acquired by a
Third Party. "Excluded Group" means a "group" (as such term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that (i) includes one or more Excluded
Persons; provided that the voting power of the voting stock of the Company
"beneficially owned" (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) by such Excluded Persons (without attribution to such Excluded
Persons of the ownership by other members of the "group") represents a majority
of the voting power of the voting stock "beneficially owned" (as such term is
used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) by such group or (ii)
exists solely by virtue of the fact that the members of such group are parties
to the Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, by and among the
Company, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, The Xxxxx Manhattan Bank,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated, Whippoorwill Associates Incorporated and
various other stockholders of the Company (the "Stockholders Agreement").
"Excluded Person" means (i) while the Stockholders Agreement is in effect in
substantially its current form, any person or entity who or which is a party to
the Stockholders Agreement as of the Effective Date and any affiliate of such a
party to the Stockholders Agreement who becomes a party to the Stockholders
Agreement, and (ii) Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxx Xxxx or any of their affiliates.
(3) Definition of Xxxxxxxxxx/Arad Change in Control. For purposes of
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this Agreement, a Xxxxxxxxxx/Arad Change in Control shall be deemed to have
occurred if, at any time, a majority of the members of the Board shall be
individuals nominated for election as members of the Board, directly or
indirectly, by either or both of Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx or Xxx Xxxx or any of their
affiliates.
(c) Death. The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically
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upon the Executive's death during the Employment Term.
(d) Without Cause; Voluntary Resignation. At any time during the
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Employment Term, the Company may terminate the Executive's employment without
Cause and
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the Executive may terminate his employment without Good Reason, by written
notice to the other party, effective on the date specified in such notice, which
shall not be more than 30 days after the receipt of notice.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the employment of the
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Executive (other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b) of
this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by the Executive or the
Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive
or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(f) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means the effective
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date of the termination of the Executive's employment.
5. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination.
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(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause; Expiration of Employment Term.
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If during the Employment Term the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment without Cause or the Executive shall terminate his employment for
Good Reason, or if the employment of the Executive with the Company shall
terminate upon the Scheduled Termination Date:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive the aggregate of
the following amounts:
(A) the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination, (2) any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon which the Company has
agreed in writing to pay in connection with that deferral),
(3) any accrued vacation pay and (4) any Annual Bonus for
the fiscal year of the Company terminating prior to the Date
of Termination, in each case to the extent not theretofore
paid and (5) a pro rata portion (based on time) of the
Annual Bonus for the current fiscal year. The amounts
described in (1) through (4) above are referred to as the
"Accrued Obligations" and the amount referred to in (5)
above is referred to as the "Pro Rata Bonus." All Accrued
Obligations shall be paid in
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a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. Any Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid as provided in
Section 5(e); and
(B) except with respect to a termination to which
clause (D) below applies, if such termination shall occur
(x) prior to, and other than in contemplation of, the
occurrence of a Third Party Change in Control, (y) on or
after the occurrence of a Third Party Change in Control if
either party hereto has provided the other with written
notice of its election not to extend the Employment Term in
accordance with Section 1 of this Agreement and that notice
was given by the Company prior to the Third Party Change in
Control and that notice was not given by the Company in
contemplation of the Third Party Change in Control or (z) in
contemplation of a Third Party Change in Control if either
party hereto has provided the other with written notice of
its election not to extend the Employment Term in accordance
with Section 1 of this Agreement and that notice was not
given by the Company in contemplation of a Third Party
Change in Control, an amount equal to the product of (I) the
greater of (x) two (2) and (y) the number of years
(including portions of a year based on the number of full
months remaining in the year) from the Date of Termination
through the Scheduled Termination Date (as adjusted pursuant
to Section 1 hereof through the Date of Termination) and
(II) the sum of (1) the highest Annual Base Salary in effect
during the Employment Term and (2) the average of the two
most recent Annual Bonuses paid (treating any Annual Bonus
which is not paid as a result of the Executive's failure to
attain performance goals as having been paid in an amount
equal to zero) to the Executive during the Employment Term
(or if only one Annual Bonus has been paid, the amount of
such Annual Bonus, and if no Annual Bonuses have been paid
(other than as a result of the Executive's failure to attain
performance goals) , sixty percent (60%) of such highest
Annual Base Salary) (such sum hereinafter referred to as the
"Base Compensation"), half of which shall be paid in a lump
sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination, and half
of which shall be paid in equal installments on the
Company's regular salary payment dates through the second
anniversary of the Date of Termination; and
(C) except with respect to a termination to which
clause (D) below applies, if such termination shall occur
upon or following the occurrence of a Third Party Change in
Control or in contemplation of a Third Party Change in
Control, in either event when neither party hereto has
provided the other with written
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notice of its election not to extend the Employment Term in
accordance with Section 1 of this Agreement (other than a
notice given by the Company after or in contemplation of a
Third Party Change in Control), an amount equal to three (3)
times the sum of (1) highest Annual Base Salary in effect
during the Employment Term and (2) half the average of the
two most recent Annual Bonuses paid (treating any Annual
Bonus which is not paid as a result of the Executive's
failure to attain performance goals as having been paid in
an amount equal to zero) to the Executive during the
Employment (or if only one Annual Bonus has been paid, half
the amount of such Annual Bonus, and if no Annual Bonuses
have been paid (other than as a result of the Executive's
failure to attain performance goals), thirty percent (30%)
of such highest Annual Base Salary) , to be paid in a lump
sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination.
(D) if such termination shall be pursuant to Section
4(b)(l)(v) hereof, an amount equal to five (5) times the
Base Compensation
(ii) through the later of the Scheduled Termination Date or
the two-year anniversary of the Date of Termination, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and his family at least equal to
those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the
plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 3(e) of
this Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been terminated,
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes re-employed with
another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare
benefits under another employer provided plan, the corresponding
medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be
terminated. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time
of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits
pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the
Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until the
later of the Scheduled Termination Date or the two-year anniversary of
the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such
period;
(iii) if such termination is not pursuant to Section
4(b)(1)(v) hereof, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in
full subject, in the case of termination in the circumstances
described in Section 5(a)(i)(B) hereof, to Sections 3(c)(i) and (ii)
hereof. If the termination is not pursuant to Section 4(b)(1)(v)
hereof, to the extent that the Option does not become immediately
exercisable in full as a result of Section 3(c)(i) or (ii) hereof, it
shall become exercisable in full as soon as permitted by those
sections despite the termination of employment of the Executive, or at
the Executive's election, the termination
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shall be deemed to be a termination described in Section 4(b)(1)(v)
hereof and the Option shall be canceled. In the former case, the
Option shall remain exercisable until the later of the second
anniversary of the Date of Termination or the third anniversary of the
Effective Date or, if the Option does not become immediately
exercisable in full as a result of Section 3(c)(i) or (ii), the later
of the second anniversary of the date on which it becomes exercisable
or the third anniversary of the Effective Date;
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts
or benefits required to be paid or provided to the Executive or which
the Executive is entitled to receive under any plan, program, policy
or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
companies, to the extent payment of any such amounts or benefits are
not already provided for under this Agreement (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
The Executive shall have no duty or obligation to mitigate the amounts or
benefits required to be provided pursuant to this Section 5(a), nor shall any
such amounts or benefits be reduced or offset by any other amounts to which
Executive may become entitled; provided, that (x) if the Executive becomes
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employed by a new employer or self-employed prior to the later of the Scheduled
Termination Date (as adjusted pursuant to Section 1 hereof through the Date of
Termination) or the second anniversary of the Date of Termination, up to one-
half of the amount payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 5(a)(i)(B) shall
be reduced by an amount equal to the amount earned from such employment with
respect to the period through such later date (and the Executive shall be
required to return to the Company, without interest, any amount by which such
payments pursuant to Section 5(a)(i)(B) exceed the amount to which the Executive
is entitled after giving effect to that reduction) and (y) the benefits provided
for in clause (ii) shall be offset to the extent specifically provided therein.
As a condition to the Executive receiving the payments under Section 5(a)(i)(B),
the Executive agrees to permit verification of his employment records and
Federal income tax returns by an independent attorney or accountant, selected by
the Company but reasonably acceptable to the Executive, who agrees to preserve
the confidentiality of the information disclosed by the Executive except to the
extent required to permit the Company to verify the amount received by Executive
from other active employment.
(b) Death; Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated
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by reason of the Executive's death or Disability during the Employment Term, the
Option shall become immediately exercisable in full, unless not permitted to
become exercisable by Section 3(c)(i) or (ii) in which case it shall become
immediately exercisable in full as soon as permitted by those sections despite
the termination of employment of by the Executive. The Option shall remain
exercisable until the later of the second anniversary of the Date of Termination
or the third anniversary of the Effective Date or, if the Option does not become
immediately exercisable in full as a result of Section 3(c)(i) or (ii), the
later of the second anniversary of the date on which it becomes exercisable or
the third anniversary of the Effective Date. The Company shall pay the Accrued
Obligations and make timely payment or provision of Other Benefits, and the
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Executive shall not be entitled to any further or additional compensation
pursuant to this Agreement. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive,
his estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination. The Company shall also pay the Pro Rata Bonus, if
any, as provided in Section 5(e).
(c) Cause; Other Than for Good Reason. If, during the Employment
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Term, the Executive's employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or
by the Executive without Good Reason, (i) to the extent that the Option is
exercisable and has been exercisable for more than one year at the Date of
Termination, it shall remain exercisable until the later of the second
anniversary of the Date of Termination or the third anniversary of the Effective
Date, (ii) to the extent that the Option is exercisable and has been exercisable
for one year or less at the Date of Termination, it shall remain exercisable
until the ninetieth day after the Date of Termination, (iii) to the extent that
the Option is not but would have been exercisable for more than one year at the
Date of Termination but for Section 3(c)(i) or (ii), it shall become exercisable
as soon as permitted by those sections despite the termination of employment of
the Executive and shall remain exercisable until the later of the second
anniversary of the date it becomes exercisable or the third anniversary of the
Effective Date, (iv) to the extent that the Option is not but would have been
exercisable for one year or less at the Date of Termination but for Section
3(c)(i) or (ii), it shall become exercisable as soon as permitted by those
sections despite the termination of employment of by the Executive and shall
remain exercisable until the ninetieth day after the date it becomes
exercisable, (v) except to the extent specified in Section 5(c)(i), (ii), (iii)
or (iv) the Option shall terminate on the Date of Termination, (vi) the Company
shall pay the Accrued Obligations and make timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits, and (vii) the Executive shall not be entitled to any further or
additional compensation pursuant to this Agreement. All Accrued Obligations
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date
of Termination. Subject to Section 7 hereof, if the Executive's employment is
terminated for Cause, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from
pursuing any available remedies against the Executive.
(d) Golden Parachute Excise Tax. (i) If any payment or benefit
---------------------------
(within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), to the Executive or for
the Executive's benefit paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out
of, the Executive's employment with the Company or a change in ownership or
effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of its assets (a
"Parachute Payment" or "Parachute Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive will be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties, other than interest
and penalties imposed by reason of the Executive's failure to file timely a tax
return or pay taxes shown due on the Executive's return, imposed with respect to
such taxes and the Excise Tax), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-
Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the
Excise Tax imposed upon the Parachute Payments.
11
(ii) An initial determination as to whether a Gross-Up Payment is
required pursuant to this Agreement and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment
shall be made at the Company's expense by the Company's regular outside auditors
(the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide its determination
(the "Determination"), together with detailed supporting calculations and
documentation to the Company and the Executive within ten days of the
Termination Date if applicable, or promptly upon request by the Company or by
the Executive (provided the Executive reasonably believes that any of the
Parachute Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax) and if the Accounting Firm
determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive with respect to a
Parachute Payment or Parachute Payments, it shall furnish the Executive with an
opinion reasonably acceptable to the Executive that no Excise Tax will be
imposed with respect to any such Parachute Payment or Parachute Payments. Within
ten days of the delivery of the Determination to the Executive, the Executive
shall have the right to dispute the Determination (the "Dispute"). The Gross-Up
Payment, if any, as determined pursuant to this Section 5(d)(ii) shall be paid
by the Company to the Executive within ten days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination notwithstanding the existence of any Dispute. If there is
no Dispute, the Determination shall be binding, final and conclusive upon the
Company and the Executive subject to the application of Section 5(d)(iii) below.
The Company and the Executive shall resolve any Dispute in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
(iii) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Sections
4999 and 280G of the Code, the parties acknowledge that it is possible that a
Gross-Up Payment (or a portion thereof) will be paid which should not have been
paid (an "Excess Payment") or a Gross-Up Payment (or a portion thereof) which
should have been paid will not have been paid (an "Underpayment"). An
Underpayment shall be deemed to have occurred (i) upon notice (formal or
informal) to the Executive from any governmental taxing authority that the
Executive's tax liability (whether in respect of the Executive's current taxable
year or in respect of any prior taxable year) may be increased by reason of the
imposition of the Excise Tax on a Parachute Payment or Parachute Payments with
respect to which the Company has failed to make a sufficient Gross-Up Payment,
(ii) upon a determination by a court, (iii) by reason of determination by the
Company (which shall include the position taken by the Company, together with
its consolidated group, on its federal income tax return) or (iv) upon the
resolution of the Dispute to the Executive's satisfaction. If an Underpayment
occurs, the Executive shall promptly notify the Company and the Company shall
promptly, but in any event, at least five days prior to the date on which the
applicable government taxing authority has requested payment, pay to the
Executive an additional Gross-Up Payment equal to the amount of the Underpayment
plus any interest and penalties (other than interest and penalties imposed by
reason of the Executive's failure to file timely a tax return or pay taxes shown
due on the Executive's return) imposed on the Underpayment. An Excess Payment
shall be deemed to have occurred upon a "Final Determination" (as hereinafter
defined) that the Excise Tax shall not be imposed upon a Parachute Payment or
Parachute Payments (or portion thereof) with respect to which the Executive had
previously received a Gross-Up Payment. A "Final Determination" shall be deemed
to have occurred when the Executive has received from the applicable government
taxing authority a refund of taxes or other reduction in the Executive's tax
liability by reason of the Excise Payment and upon either (x) the date a
determination is made by, or an agreement is
12
entered into with, the applicable governmental taxing authority which finally
and conclusively binds the Executive and such taxing authority, or in the event
that a claim is brought before a court of competent jurisdiction, the date upon
which a final determination has been made by such court and either all appeals
have been taken and finally resolved or the time for all appeals has expired or
(y) the statute of limitations with respect to the Executive's applicable tax
return has expired. If an Excess Payment is determined to have been made, the
amount of the Excess Payment shall be treated as a loan by the Company to the
Executive and the Executive shall pay to the Company on demand (but not less
than 10 days after the determination of such Excess Payment and written notice
has been delivered to the Executive) the amount of the Excess Payment plus
interest at an annual rate equal to the Applicable Federal Rate provided for in
Section 1274(d) of the Code from the date the Gross-Up Payment (to which the
Excess Payment relates) was paid to the Executive until the date of repayment to
the Company.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, in the event that, according to the Determination, an Excise Tax will
be imposed on any Parachute Payment or Parachute Payments, the Company shall pay
to the applicable government taxing authorities as Excise Tax withholding, the
amount of the Excise Tax that the Company has actually withheld from the
Parachute Payment or Parachute Payments or the Gross Up Payment.
(e) Payment of Pro Rata Bonus. The Pro Rata Bonus to which the
-------------------------
Executive is entitled, if any, shall be determined by reference to the
attainment of the Bonus Performance Goals as of the end of the fiscal year in
which termination of employment occurs and shall be paid no later than the end
of the third month of the next fiscal year. One-half of Pro Rata Bonus, if any,
shall be paid in Stock and one-half in cash as provided in Section 3(b).
6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
-------------------------
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify nor shall anything herein
limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled
to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or
agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent
to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan,
policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement.
7. Arbitration; Legal Fees. Except with respect to injunctive relief
-----------------------
under Section 8 of this Agreement, any dispute or controversy arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement, shall be resolved
exclusively by arbitration in New York City by a panel of three arbitrators who
have been actively engaged in the practice of law for at least the last ten
years in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment on the award may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction thereof and the provisions of Sections 3.3(a) and
(d) of the Plan and Section 17 of the Stock Option Agreement shall not apply to
any such dispute. The Company shall
13
reimburse the Executive's reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection
with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 7 or any action for
injunctive relief under Section 8 of this Agreement if the Executive is the
substantially prevailing party in that proceeding or action.
8. Protection of Confidential Information; Non-Solicitation of
-----------------------------------------------------------
Employees.
---------
(a) In view of the fact that the Executive's work for the Company
will bring the Executive into close contact with many confidential affairs of
the Company not readily available to the public, as well as plans for future
developments by the Company, the Executive agrees:
(i) To keep and retain in the strictest confidence all confidential
matters of the Company, including, without limitation, "know how", trade
secrets, customer lists, pricing policies, operational methods, technical
processes, formulae, inventions and research projects, and other business
affairs of the Company, learned by the Executive heretofore or hereafter, and
not to disclose them to anyone outside of the Company, either during or after
the Executive's employment with the Company, except in the course of performing
the Executive's duties hereunder or with the Company's express written consent;
and
(ii) To deliver promptly to the Company on termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company, or at any time the Company may so
request, all memoranda, notes, records, reports, manuals, drawings, blueprints
and other documents (and all copies thereof) relating to the Company's business
and all property associated therewith, which the Executive may then possess or
have under the Executive's control.
(b) For a period of one year after he ceases to be employed by the
Company under this Agreement or otherwise, the Executive, shall not directly or
indirectly, employ or seek to employ any person who is at the Date of
Termination, or was at any time within the six-month period preceding the Date
of Termination, an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates or otherwise cause or induce or seek to cause or induce any employee
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate such
employee's employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate for the
employment of another company (included for this purpose the contracting with
any person who was an independent contractor of the Company during such period).
(c) If the Executive commits a breach, or threatens to commit a
breach, of any of the provisions of Section 8(a) or (b) hereof, the Company
shall have the right to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically
enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and
agreed that any such breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury
to the Company and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the
Company.
(d) If any of the covenants contained in Section 8(a) or (b) hereof,
or any part thereof, hereafter are construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the
same shall not affect the
14
remainder of the covenant or covenants, which shall be given full effect,
without regard to the invalid portions.
(e) If any of the covenants contained in Section 8(a) or (b) hereof,
or any part thereof, are held to be unenforceable because of the duration of
such provision or the area covered thereby, the parties hereto agree that the
court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration
and/or area of such provision and, in its reduced form, said provision shall
then be enforceable.
9. Successors.
----------
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns, but shall not be assignable by the
Company (other than to an entity which at the time of assignment is a wholly-
owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company) without the prior written
consent of the Executive.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had
taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
10. Insurance and Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted
-----------------------------
by applicable law, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless for any
action or failure to act in his capacity as a director, officer or employee of
the Company. In furtherance of the foregoing and not by way of limitation, if
Executive is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any suit because he
is a director, officer or employee of the Company, he shall be indemnified
against expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement if he acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company, and with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. Indemnification under this Section 10 shall
be in addition to any other indemnification by the Company of its officers and
directors. Expenses incurred by Executive in defending an action, suit or
proceeding for which he claims the right to be indemnified pursuant to this
Section 10 shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of Executive to repay such amount in the event that it shall ultimately be
determined that he is not entitled to indemnification by the Company. Such
undertaking shall be accepted
15
without reference to the financial ability of Executive to make repayment. In
addition, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain and maintain a
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy at a reasonable cost
providing insurance coverage for its directors and officers generally with
respect to claims made against its officers and directors and the Executive will
be entitled to the protection of any such liability insurance policy which the
Company maintains. The obligations of this Section 10 shall survive the
termination of the Employment Term and shall apply notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary in Section 5 herein.
11. Miscellaneous.
-------------
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to principles of
conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions
hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or
modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or
their respective successors and legal representatives. This Agreement
constitutes the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the
employment of the Executive by the Company, and supersedes any and all prior
understandings, agreements or commitments related thereto.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
If to the Executive:
-------------------
Xx. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
0 X. 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
With a copy to:
--------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Cleary, Gottlieb, Xxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
If to the Company:
-----------------
Marvel Enterprises, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Board of Directors
16
With a copy to:
--------------
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Battle Xxxxxx LLP
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or
the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder
shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other
provision or right of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
XXXX XXXXXXXXXX
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------------------------
MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Chairman of the Board
17
