EXHIBIT 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
between
AVENUE A, INC.
and
XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX
Dated as of June 21, 2000
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 21,
2000, between Avenue A, Inc., a Washington corporation ("Avenue A"), and Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx ("Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, Executive has been serving Avenue A as Vice President of
Corporate Development & Legal Affairs and Avenue A desires to retain the
services of Executive upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Executive is willing to continue to provide services to Avenue
A upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
A G R E E M E N T S:
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NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises and
for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which
are hereby acknowledged, Avenue A and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT
Avenue A will employ Executive and Executive will accept employment by
Avenue A as Vice President of Corporate Development & Legal Affairs. During
Executive's employment, Executive shall serve Avenue A faithfully and to the
best of his ability, devoting substantially all his working time, attention and
energies to the business of Avenue A. Executive's status, duties and
responsibilities shall be reasonably commensurate with his title, and he shall
perform such duties as 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 Avenue A's CEO, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
2. BENEFITS
During his employment, Executive will be entitled to participate in all
employee benefit plans in which executives of Avenue A may participate.
3. TERMINATION
Employment of Executive pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated as
follows:
3.1. By Avenue A
With or without Cause (as defined below), Avenue A may terminate the
employment of Executive at any time upon giving Notice of Termination (as
defined below).
3.2. By Executive
Executive may terminate his employment at any time, for any reason,
upon giving Notice of Termination.
3.3. Automatic Termination
This Agreement and Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate
automatically upon the death or total disability of Executive. The term "total
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disability" as used herein shall mean Executive's inability to perform the
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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 Board of
Directors of Avenue A. Executive and Avenue A 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 Avenue A of
Executive's total disability, as defined herein.
3.4. Notice
The term "Notice of Termination" shall mean at least thirty (30) days'
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written notice of termination, by either party, of Executive's employment,
during which period Executive's employment and performance of services will
continue; provided,
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however, that Avenue A may, upon notice to Executive and without reducing
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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 4.2. The effective date of the termination (the
"Termination Date") of Executive's employment hereunder shall be the date on
which such 30-day period expires.
4. TERMINATION PAYMENTS AND ACCELERATION OF
VESTING
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 4. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to restrict Executive's rights to exercise vested stock option shares
as provided in any applicable stock option plan.
4.1. Termination by Avenue A
(a) Upon termination by Avenue A, Avenue A shall pay Executive any
unpaid annual base salary at the rate of pay in effect at the time of
termination (herinafter "Base Salary") through the Termination Date. Such
payment will be made on the Termination Date or within 15 days thereafter.
(b) If Avenue A terminates Executive's employment without Cause,
as defined below, Executive shall be entitled to receive termination payments
equal to six (6) months annual Base Salary, plus an additional three months Base
Salary for each year in which the Executive has been employed with Avenue A, up
to a total termination benefit of twelve (12) months annual Base Salary. The
termination payments will be paid semi-monthly in equal parts in accordance with
the same time schedule that Avenue A or a Successor Company (as defined in
Exhibit A hereto and incorporated by reference herein) makes its customary
payroll. Avenue A or a Successor 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. Avenue A 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
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attached hereto as Exhibit B, and are further contingent upon Executive's full
compliance with the terms of his Confidentiality, Inventions Assignment,
Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreement with Avenue A (the "Confidentiality
Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C. In the event
Executive were to materially breach this Confidentiality Agreement, his right to
any termination payments under this paragraph shall be extinguished, Avenue A
(and any Successor Company) shall cease payments, and Executive shall
immediately return to Avenue A or to any Successor Company any termination
payments already made. If Executive is terminated by either of Avenue A or any
Successor 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 Avenue A terminates Executive's employment without Cause, as
defined below, then (1) the portion of any Avenue A stock option held by
Executive 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 "Applicable Period" (as
defined in the table below) immediately following the Termination Date,
assuming, for purpose of determining the amount, that no termination had
occurred and Executive had continued Executive's employment with Avenue A during
the Applicable Period:
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Executive's Continuous Employment "Applicable Period"
with Avenue A
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Less than one year Six Months
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At least one year but less than two years Nine Months
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2 years or more One Year
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and (2) the number of unvested shares, if any, held by Executive immediately
prior to the Termination Date that were obtained on exercise of any Avenue A
stock options that is equal to the number of such unvested shares that would
have vested during the Applicable Period immediately after the Termination Date
(assuming, for purposes of determining the number, that no termination had
occurred and Executive had continued Executive's employment with Avenue A during
the Applicable Period) shall, immediately prior to the Termination Date,
automatically vest and be no longer subject to the right of repurchase in favor
of Avenue A. If the end of the Applicable Period falls in the middle of a
quarter for option or share vesting purposes, the vesting acceleration described
above shall be pro rated for the actual number of days between the beginning of
such quarter and the last day of the Applicable Period. Any
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acceleration of vesting of stock options or of unvested shares pursuant to the
terms of any stock option plan of Avenue A under which any stock option held by
Executive is granted (a "Company Stock Option Plan") and any acceleration of
vesting pursuant to any option letter agreement for any stock option for Avenue
A common stock granted to Executive prior to or after the date of this Agreement
(an "Option Agreement") shall not be limited by or be in lieu of any
acceleration of vesting provided for pursuant to this Agreement, and any
acceleration of vesting provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall not be
limited by or be in lieu of any acceleration of vesting provided for pursuant to
any Company Stock Option Plan or Option Agreement.
4.2. 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 as set forth in clauses 4.1(a) and (b), above, and
shall not be entitled to the benefits under clause 4.1(c). 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 4.1(a) and shall
not be entitled to the benefits under clause 4.1(b) or 4.1(c) above.
4.3. Termination as a Result of Death or Total Disability
In the event of termination of Executive's employment pursuant to
subparagraph 3.3, Executive or his estate shall be paid the compensation set
forth in clause 4.1(a) and shall not be entitled to any of the benefits under
clauses 4.1(b) or 4.1(c) above.
4.4. "Good Reason"
"Good reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events,
without the consent of the Executive, in connection with or after a "Change of
Control" (as defined in Exhibit A hereto and incorporated by reference herein):
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,
status and responsibilities, shall not constitute "good
reason;"
b) a non-voluntary reduction in the Executive's annual Base
Salary;
c) requirement by a Successor Company that the Executive
relocate his principal place of employment to a location
that is more than 50
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miles from the principal place of employment where
Executive was employed immediately prior to the "Change of
Control;" or
d) the failure of Avenue A to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any Successor Company to assume and perform the
obligations under this Agreement.
4.5. 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:
(a) willful misconduct, insubordination, or dishonesty in the
performance of Executive's duties or other knowing and material
violation of Avenue A's or a Successor Company's policies and
procedures in effect from time to time which results in a material
adverse effect on Avenue A or a Successor Company;
(b) the continued failure of Executive to satisfactory perform
his duties after receipt of written notice that specifically
identifies the areas in which Executive's performance is deficient;
(c) willful actions (or intentional failures to act) in bad
faith by Executive with respect to Avenue A or a Successor Company that
materially impair Avenue A's or a Successor 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 Avenue A.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY, NONCOMPETITION AND
NONSOLICITATION AGREEMENT
Executive is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement
entered into concurrently with this Agreement and the terms of the
Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive's
employment with Avenue A.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO VIOLATION
In order to induce Avenue A to enter into this Agreement, Executive
represents and warrants to Avenue A that neither the execution nor the
performance of this Agreement by Executive will violate or conflict in any way
with any other agreement
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by which Executive may be bound, or with any other duties imposed upon Executive
by corporate or other statutory or common law.
7. 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 4.5 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 the party purportedly in breach of this
Agreement the opportunity to correct such breach during the 14-day period.
8. FORM OF NOTICE
All notices given hereunder shall be given in writing, shall
specifically refer to this Agreement and shall be personally delivered or sent
by telecopy or other electronic facsimile transmission or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, at 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: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0000 00/xx/ Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to Avenue A: Avenue A, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: President and CEO
Copy to: Xxxxxxx Coie LLP
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
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If notice is mailed, such notice shall be effective upon mailing, or if notice
is personally delivered or sent by telecopy or other electronic facsimile
transmission, it shall be effective upon receipt.
9. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by
Executive. Avenue A may assign its rights hereunder to (a) any corporation
resulting from any merger, consolidation or other reorganization to which Avenue
A is a party or (b) any corporation, partnership, association or other person to
which Avenue A may transfer all or substantially all of the assets and business
of Avenue A 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.
10. WAIVERS
No delay or failure by any party hereto in exercising, protecting or
enforcing any of its rights, titles, interests or remedies hereunder, and no
course of dealing or performance with respect thereto, shall constitute a waiver
thereof. The express waiver by a party hereto of any right, title, interest or
remedy in a particular instance or circumstance shall not constitute a waiver
thereof in any other instance or circumstance. All rights and remedies shall be
cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies.
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 of
Seattle in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect (the "AAA Rules"), conducted by one
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arbitrator either mutually agreed upon by Avenue A 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. AMENDMENTS IN WRITING
No amendment, modification, waiver, termination or discharge of any
provision of this Agreement, nor consent to any departure therefrom by either
party
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hereto, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing,
specifically identifying this Agreement and the provision intended to be
amended, modified, waived, terminated or discharged and signed by Avenue A and
Executive, and each such amendment, modification, waiver, termination or
discharge shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given. No provision of this Agreement shall be varied,
contradicted or explained by any oral agreement, course of dealing or
performance or any other matter not set forth in an agreement in writing and
signed by Avenue A and Executive.
13. 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.
14. 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 jurisdiction thereover shall have the power to reform such
provision to the extent necessary for such provision to be enforceable under
applicable law.
15. 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.
16. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement, and any amendment or modification entered into pursuant
to paragraph 12 hereof, may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and
the same instrument.
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17. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement on and as of the date hereof, together with the
Confidentiality Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between Avenue A and
Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and all prior or
contemporaneous oral or written communications, understandings or agreements
between Avenue A and Executive with respect to such subject matter are hereby
superseded and nullified in their entireties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and entered into this
Agreement on the date set forth above.
EXECUTIVE:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
/s/ X.X. XXXXXX
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AVENUE A:
Avenue A, Inc.
By /s/ Xxxxx XxXxxxxxx
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Xxxxx XxXxxxxxx
Its President and CEO
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EXHIBIT A
1. Definition of "Change of Control"
For purposes of the Employment Agreement, a "Change of Control" means
any of:
(i) an event in which any person (including any individual, entity or
group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person"), shall
become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
combined voting power of the capital stock of Avenue A, Inc. ("Avenue A") then
outstanding; or
(ii) at any time during which Avenue A has a class of equity
securities which is listed on a national securities exchange or an automated
quotation system (including, without limitation, the Nasdaq Stock Market)
("publicly traded"), the acquisition by a Person of equity securities
representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the
capital stock of Avenue A outstanding as of the date of such transaction (or the
first of a series of related transactions), but only if such equity securities
were acquired in a transaction or series of related transactions which were not
approved by the Board of Directors of Avenue A in office prior to the date of
such first acquisition (provided, however that if such Person is entitled,
pursuant to Rule 13d-1 under the Exchange Act to file a Form 13G with respect to
its holdings of equity securities of Avenue A in lieu of a Form 13D, such event
will not constitute a Change of Control unless and until such Person files a
Form 13D with respect to such holdings); or
(iii) at any time during which Avenue A has a class of equity
securities which is publicly traded, the acquisition by a Person of equity
securities representing more than twenty percent (20%) of the combined voting
power of the capital stock of Avenue A outstanding prior to the date of such
transaction (or the first of a series of related transactions) in a transaction
or series of related transactions which were not approved by the Board of
Directors of Avenue A in office prior to the date of such first acquisition,
and, within one year thereafter, at least two individuals whose election to the
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Board of Directors was proposed by such Person are members of the Board of
Directors; or
(iv) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of
Avenue A's assets, other than to a corporation with respect to which immediately
following such sale or disposition (A) securities representing more than sixty
percent (60%) of the combined voting power the capital stock of such corporation
are then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all
of the beneficial owners of securities representing the combined voting power of
the capital stock of Avenue A (the "Company Voting Securities") immediately
prior to such sale or disposition in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of Company
Voting Securities, (B) no Person (excluding Avenue A, any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) of Avenue A or such corporation and any Person beneficially
owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or
indirectly, securities representing 33% or more of Company Voting Securities)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 33% or more
of the combined voting power of the capital stock of such corporation; and (C)
at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the such
corporation were approved by majority of directors of the Incumbent Directors
(as defined in subsection (vii))on Avenue A's Board of Directors at the time
such transaction was initially approved by Avenue A.
(v) the reorganization, merger or consolidation of Avenue A with any
other corporation or entity, in each case unless immediately following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation (A) securities representing more than
60% of the combined voting power of the capital stock of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation are then
beneficially owned, directly, or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, of Company Voting Securities, (B) no
Person (excluding Avenue A, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of
Avenue A or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, securities
representing 33% or more of Company Voting Securities) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, securities representing 33% or more of the combined
voting power of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation were the Incumbent Directors at the time that the agreement for
such reorganization, merger or consolidation was initially executed; or
(vi) the dissolution or liquidation of Avenue A; or
(vii) a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Avenue A
in which a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the Board have
been occupied by individuals who were neither (a) nominated by a majority of the
Incumbent Directors nor (b) appointed by directors so nominated.
2 Definition of "Successor Company"
For purposes of the Employment Agreement, "Successor Company" shall
mean any of (i) any corporation that acquires all or substantially all of the
assets of Avenue A in a "Change of Control" described in clause (iv) of the
definition of "Change of Control" above or (ii) a successor corporation to
Avenue A (or parent corporation thereof) resulting from a "Change in Control" of
Avenue A described in clause (v) of the definition of "Change of Control" above.
3 Definition of "Incumbent Director"
An "Incumbent Director" is a member of Avenue A's Board of Directors
(the "Board") who has been either (i) nominated by a majority of the directors
of Avenue A then in office or (ii) appointed by directors so nominated, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as
such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an amended (the "Exchange Act")) or other
actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a
Person other than the Board.
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EXHIBIT B
WAIVER AND RELEASE
For and in consideratIon of the severance payments and benefits set out
in the Employment Agreement attached hereto, Executive, on behalf of himself and
his agents, heirs, successors and assigns, expressly waives any claims against
Employer and releases Employer (including its officers, directors, stockholders,
managers, agents and representatives) from any and all claims, demands,
liabilities, damages, obligations, actions or causes of action of any kind,
known or unknown, past or present, arising out of, relating to, or in connection
with Executive's employment, termination of employment, or the holding of any
office with Employer or any other related entity. The claims released by
Executive include, but are not limited to, claims for defamation, libel,
invasion of privacy, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress,
wrongful termination, constructive discharge, breach of contract, breach of the
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, or for
violation of any federal, state or other governmental statute or ordinance,
including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities
Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employment Retirement Income Security
Program or any other legal limitation on the employment relationship.
This waiver and release shall not waive or release claims (1) where the
events in dispute first arise after execution of this Release; (2) for rights or
benefits due under the Employment Agreement attached hereto; or (3) relating to
Executive's rights to indemnity as a corporate officer of Employer.
Executive agrees he has been provided the opportunity to consider for
twenty-one (21) days whether to enter into this Release, and has voluntarily
chosen to enter into it on this date. Executive may revoke this Release for a
period of seven (7) days following the execution of this Release; this Release
shall become effective following expiration of this seven (7) day period. This
Release shall be effective when signed. Executive acknowledges that he is
voluntarily executing this Release, that he has carefully read and fully
understands all aspects of this Release and the attached Employment Agreement,
that he has not relied upon any representations or statements not set forth
herein or made by Avenue A's agents or representatives, that he has been advised
to consult with an attorney prior to executing the Release, and that, in fact,
he has consulted with an attorney of his choice as to the subject matter and
effect of this Release.
__________________ __________________________________________
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EXHIBIT C
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
