MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS IS A MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated August 28, 2001
(the "Agreement"), by and between Franklin Capital Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Franklin") and eCom Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("ECI").
Background
WHEREAS, the business of ECI consists of the production and
distribution, of programming on various radio networks, selling advertising
related thereto as well as other activities related thereto (the "Business").
WHEREAS, Franklin has in its employ certain individuals with
expertise in the administration and management functions of the Business. ECI
desires to have Franklin, through such individuals, provide certain management
and advisory services with respect to the Business on the terms hereinafter
set forth. Franklin is willing to provide such management and advisory
services.
WHEREAS, Franklin retained certain professionals, including,
without limitation, Weil, Gotshal & Xxxxxx LLP and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx &
Xxxxx (together, the "Professionals"), to provide necessary services in
connection with the negotiation and execution of the Asset Purchase Agreement
("Asset Purchase Agreement"), dated August 8, 2001, among Franklin and Winstar
Radio Networks, LLC, Winstar Global Media, Inc. and Winstar Radio Productions,
LLC, and the ancillary documents thereto and transactions contemplated therein
as well as services relating to the acquisition of financing necessary for the
completion of such transactions (the "Necessary Services").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements
hereinafter set forth and the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom and
intending to be legally bound hereby, ECI and Franklin hereby agree as
follows:
Terms
1. Engagement. ECI hereby engages Franklin, and Franklin
hereby agrees, to provide to ECI the management and advisory services
described in Section 2 below, on the terms and subject to the conditions
herein.
2. Management Services of Franklin. Subject always to the
supervision and control of, and the policies set by, the Boards of Directors
of ECI and its officers, during the term of this Agreement, Franklin shall
provide management and advisory services with respect to the business,
operations and affairs of ECI, which advisory services may include advice
regarding corporate, financial (including cash management), operating and
administrative functions, and any other services reasonably requested. In
addition, the chief financial officer (the "CFO") of
Franklin shall devote approximately 80% of his business time and attention to
managing the business, operations and affairs of ECI.
3. Compensation. ECI and Franklin agree that Franklin
shall be entitled to receive as compensation for services rendered hereunder a
monthly fee consisting of reimbursement of Franklin's out-of-pocket costs and
expenses relating to Franklin's performance of its obligations hereunder
(including, without limitation, reimbursement for 80% of the CFO's salary,
bonus and benefits; provided, however that in any given year such amount of
reimbursement of the CFO's salary, bonus and benefits shall not be in an
amount in excess of $120,000) ("Expenses"), plus $30,000 (the "Management
Fee"); provided, however, that following the six (6) month anniversary of this
Agreement the amount of the Management Fee shall be subject to review and
adjustment by the Board of Directors of ECI on a quarterly basis; provided,
further, that the decision of the Board of Directors to either maintain the
amount of the Management Fee at $30,000 or adjust such amount is subject to
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors with at least two
(2) directors who were not nominated or designated by Franklin to the Board of
Directors casting an affirmative vote; provided, further, that in no event
shall the Management Fee be adjusted to an amount less than $15,000. ECI shall
pay Franklin the Management Fee and Expenses on or before the first day of
each month of the calendar year during the Term (defined below). In addition,
ECI shall reimburse Franklin or pay directly to the Professionals at the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement the
cost of the Necessary Services.
4. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the
date hereof and shall continue in full force and effect until December 31,
2003; provided, however, that following December 31, 2003 this Agreement shall
automatically continue in force, on the same terms and conditions, for
successive one (1) year periods (each, a "Renewal Period") unless the Board of
Directors of either Franklin or ECI shall provide written notice declining
such renewal (upon the majority vote of such Board of Directors) to the other
party at least ninety (90) days prior to the first day of the applicable
Renewal Period (such period of time from the date hereof to December 31, 2003,
or longer period (in the event of a Renewal Period), is referred to herein as
the "Term").
5. Limitation on Liability; Indemnification. Franklin
shall not be liable to ECI for, and ECI shall indemnify and hold Franklin and
its employees providing services hereunder ("Indemnified Party") harmless from
and against, all losses, liabilities, costs, damages or expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) resulting from any third-party claim or suit
(including derivative actions) to which an Indemnified Party may become
subject which results from the delivery by Franklin and its employees of
services hereunder; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to
any such loss, liability, cost, damage or expense resulting from the willful
misconduct or gross negligence of an Indemnified Party.
6. Entire Agreement; Parties Bound. This Agreement
contains the entire agreement between the parties concerning the management of
the Business, is subject to change only by a written agreement referring to
this Agreement and signed by the parties hereto, and will bind and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
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7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
8. Franklin as Independent Contractor. ECI and Franklin
agree that Franklin shall perform services hereunder as an independent
contractor, retaining control over and responsibility for its own operations
and personnel. Neither Franklin nor its employees shall be considered
employees or agents of any Operating Subsidiary.
9. Notices. Any notice, report or payment required or
permitted to be given or made under this Agreement by one party to the other
shall be deemed to have been duly given or made if personally delivered or, if
mailed, when mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the
other party at the following addresses (or at such other address as shall be
given in writing by one party to the other):
If to Franklin:
Franklin Capital Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
If to ECI:
eCom Capital, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx - 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
10. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a
breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate
or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of that provision or any
other provision hereof.
11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to have
been made in and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles.
[signatures on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement on the date first above written.
FRANKLIN CAPITAL CORPORATION
By:/s/XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
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Name:
Title:
ECOM CAPITAL, INC.
By:/s/XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
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Name:
Title:
