WWW.EXFILE.COM, INC. -- J2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. -- PRE 14A
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed
by
the Registrant x
Filed
by
a Party other than the Registrant o
Check
the
appropriate box:
x
Preliminary
Proxy
Statement
o
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o
Definitive
Proxy Statement
o
Definitive
Additional
Materials
o
Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule
14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
j2
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Name
of
Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name
of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x No
fee
required.
o
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange
Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) |
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
________________________________________________
(2) |
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
________________________________________________
(3) |
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is
calculated and state how it was
determined):
|
________________________________________________
(4) |
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
|
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
o
Fee
paid previously with preliminary
materials:
o
Check
box if any part of the fee is
offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by
registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing.
(1) |
Amount
previously paid:
|
________________________________________________
(2) |
Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement
No.:
|
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
j2
Global Communications, Inc.
6922
Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500
Los
Angeles, California 90028
Dear
Stockholder:
We
cordially invite you to attend j2 Global Communications, Inc.’s Special Meeting
of Stockholders. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007, at
10:00 a.m. local time at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood
Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028.
At
the
meeting, stockholders will vote on one proposal – the approval of a new stock
plan. Please take the time to carefully read the proposal described in the
attached proxy statement and to vote your shares on the enclosed proxy
card.
Thank
you
for your support of j2 Global Communications.
|
Sincerely, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
S. Ressler |
|
Chairman
of the Board |
This
proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being mailed to j2
Global
Communications,
Inc.’s stockholders beginning about September __, 2007.
j2
Global Communications, Inc.
NOTICE
OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held on October 25, 2007
We
will
hold a Special Meeting of Stockholders of j2 Global Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood
Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028, on Thursday, October 25, 2007, at
10:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
1.
|
To
approve j2 Global’s 2007 Stock Plan;
and
|
2.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and
any adjournment(s) and postponement(s)
thereof.
|
The
foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement
which is attached to and made a part of this Notice.
The
Board
of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 4, 2007 as the record
date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to
vote
at the Special Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
All
stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting in person.
However, whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting in person, you
are urged to mark, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly
as
possible to ensure your representation and the presence of a quorum at the
Special Meeting. If you submit your proxy and then decide to attend the Special
Meeting to vote your shares in person, you may still do so. Your proxy is
revocable in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Proxy
Statement.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman |
|
Vice
President, General Counsel and
Secretary |
September
__, 2007
Los
Angeles, California
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ABOUT
THE SPECIAL MEETING
|
1
|
|
|
PROPOSAL
1 — APPROVAL OF 2007 STOCK PLAN
|
3
|
|
|
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
|
5
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|
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
|
6
|
|
|
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
|
8
|
|
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
|
12
|
|
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
|
12
|
|
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DEADLINE
FOR SUBMITTING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR
THE NEXT
SPECIAL MEETING
|
19
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|
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COST
OF SPECIAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION
|
19
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HOUSEHOLDING
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19
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OTHER
MATTERS
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19
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j2
Global Communications, Inc.
6922
Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028
September
__, 2007
PROXY
STATEMENT
ABOUT
THE SPECIAL MEETING
Who
Is Soliciting My Vote?
The
Board of Directors of j2 Global
Communications, Inc. (“j2 Global” or the “Company”) is soliciting your vote at
the Special Meeting of j2 Global’s stockholders.
What
Will I Be Voting On?
A
proposal to approve the 2007 Stock
Plan (see page 3).
How
Many Votes Do I Have?
You
will have one vote for every share
of j2 Global common stock you owned on September 4, 2007 (the record
date).
How
Many Votes Can Be Cast By All Stockholders?
_____________,
which represents the
total number of shares of j2 Global common stock that were outstanding on the
record date.
How
Many Votes Must Be Present to Hold the Meeting?
A
majority of the votes that can be
cast, or _____________ votes. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan
to
attend the Special Meeting, so that we will know as soon as possible that enough
votes will be present for us to hold the Special Meeting.
What
is the Required Vote to Approve the Proposal?
Approval
of the 2007 Stock
Plan requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares
of common stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting.
How
Do I Vote?
You
can vote either in person at the
Special Meeting, by proxy without attending the Special Meeting or as otherwise
provided in this mailing.
To
vote by proxy, you must fill out the
enclosed proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope.
If
you want to vote in person at the
Special Meeting, and you hold your j2 Global stock through a securities broker
(that is, in street name), you must obtain a proxy from your broker and bring
that proxy to the Special Meeting.
Can
I Revoke My Proxy?
Yes.
Just send in a new proxy card with
a later date or send a written notice of revocation to j2 Global’s Secretary at
6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028, attention:
Legal Department. In addition, if you attend the Special Meeting and want to
vote in person, you can request that your previously submitted proxy not be
used. Attendance at the Special Meeting will not by itself revoke a
proxy.
What
If I Don’t Vote For a Matter Listed On My Proxy Card?
If
you return a proxy card without
indicating your vote, your shares will be voted FOR approval of j2 Global’s 2007
Stock Plan and otherwise in accordance with the judgment of the person or
persons voting the proxy on any other matter properly brought before the Special
Meeting.
What
If I Vote “Abstain”?
Abstentions
are counted for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present for transaction of business at the
Special Meeting. An abstention has the same effect as a vote against the
proposal to approve the 2007 Stock Plan.
Can
My Shares Be Voted If I Don’t Return My Proxy Card and Don’t Attend the Special
Meeting?
Since
the
only proposal scheduled to come before the Special Meeting is the approval
of
the 2007 Stock Plan, if you don’t vote your shares held in street name, your
broker will not be able to vote your shares. As a result, your shares will
not
be voted, will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum
is
present for transaction of business at the Special Meeting and will have
no
effect on the proposal to approve the 2007 Stock Plan.
If
you don’t vote your shares
registered in your name, your shares will not be voted, will not be counted
for
purposes of determining whether a quorum is present for transaction of business
at the Special Meeting and will have no effect on the proposal to approve the
2007 Stock Plan.
What
Happens if the Meeting is Postponed or Adjourned?
Your
proxy will still be good and may be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting.
You will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is
voted.
Who
Can I Contact if I Have Questions Concerning the Special
Meeting?
If
you
have any further questions about voting your shares or attending the Special
Meeting please call or email our Investor Relations Department at 323-657-5371
or investor@j2global.com.
APPROVAL
OF 2007 STOCK PLAN
In
March
2007 the Company’s Board of Directors approved the j2 Global Communications,
Inc. 2007 Stock Plan (the “Original 2007 Plan”). The Original 2007 Plan was
intended to replace the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option
Plan (the “1997 Plan”), which the stockholders previously approved, and which
will expire in November 2007 in accordance with its terms.
In
May
2007, the Company submitted the Original 2007 Plan for approval to its
stockholders at the Company’s 2007 annual meeting of
stockholders. The Original 2007 Plan was not approved at that
meeting. In response, in August 2007, the Board of Directors approved
the following modifications to the Original 2007 Plan. The Board of
Directors:
·
|
limited
to 356,000 the number of stock-based awards that may be granted under
the
1997 Plan from June 30, 2007 until the date of this Special
Meeting;
|
·
|
eliminated
the provision in the Original 2007 Plan providing the ability to
re-price
stock options;
|
·
|
lowered
from five million to 4.5 million the number of shares of j2 Global
common
stock permitted for plan uses under the 2007 Plan;
and
|
·
|
prohibited
any additional grants or awards under the 1997 Plan upon stockholder
approval of this revised plan; however, the 1997 Plan will continue
to
govern options and restricted share awards previously granted under
it.
|
The
Company is seeking its stockholders’ approval of this modified 2007 Stock Plan
(the “2007 Plan”). A copy of the 2007 Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement
as “Exhibit A.”
j2
Global
believes that approval of the 2007 Plan is important in attracting and retaining
employees, directors and consultants in a competitive labor market, which is
essential to the Company’s long-term growth and success. In fact, if
the 2007 Plan is not approved at this Special Meeting, it will not become
effective and j2 Global will not have any plan available for the issuance of
stock options or other equity awards to its employees, directors or consultants
after the expiration of the 1997 Plan in November 2007. We believe
this could materially harm our ability to attract and retain employees,
directors and consultants and this could, in turn, materially harm our Company
and its business operations and financial results.
The
2007
Plan appoints the Compensation Committee of j2 Global’s Board of Directors as
the 2007 Plan administrator and provides the Compensation Committee
discretionary authority from time to time to give to employees of j2 Global
or a
subsidiary, members of the Company’s Board of Directors and consultants selected
by the Compensation Committee certain awards in the form of stock options,
including incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and share units and other
stock-based awards. Prior to the granting of any equity incentive awards, the
Compensation Committee forwards its equity incentive award recommendations
to
the full Board of Directors and the Board votes to approve the recommendations,
with those members of the Board who are not considered outside directors under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code abstaining.
As
the
2007 Plan administrator, the Compensation Committee would determine the terms
of
the awards granted, including the exercise price of each option, the number
of
shares subject to each option and covered by each restricted stock or other
award and the vesting or similar terms of each option and
restricted
stock or other award. The 2007 Plan administrator also has the full power to
select the individuals to whom options and restricted stock or other awards
will
be granted and to make any combination of grants to any
participants.
On
August
3, 2007, the Board of Directors approved annual stock option grants and
restricted stock awards to each director at the first scheduled Compensation
Committee and Board meeting following each annual meeting of stockholders,
commencing with the 2008 annual meeting, as follows:
·
|
options
to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock with an aggregate
exercise price of $300,000; and
|
·
|
restricted
shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $100,000
on the date of grant.
|
Assuming
approval by the stockholders of the 2007 Plan, these grants would be made under
the 2007 Plan.
In
addition, the 2007 Plan would permit grants of options under it in substitution
for options held by employees of other companies who become eligible to receive
options under the 2007 Plan as a result of a merger, consolidation,
reorganization or similar event. The terms and conditions of those sorts of
2007
Plan options may vary from the terms and conditions otherwise contemplated
by
the 2007 Plan, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee
in
order to conform the terms and conditions of the new options with those of
the
options they replace.
Subject
to adjustment for recapitalization events, Section 3.2 of the 2007 Plan
currently sets the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be used
for
2007 Plan purposes at 4.5 million. Available shares can be used for any of
the
purposes authorized by the 2007 Plan.
The
2007
Plan provides that shares underlying 2007 Plan options that expire or are
cancelled unexercised, and any restricted shares that are forfeited on which
no
dividends have been paid (or on which dividends have been paid if the dividends
also are forfeited) would again become available for 2007 Plan
purposes.
Having
considered these matters, the Company’s Board of Directors has determined that
it is in the best interests of j2 Global and its stockholders to approve the
2007 Plan. Stockholder approval of the 2007 Plan is required by federal tax
provisions relating to incentive stock options and by NASD rules that apply
to
us. After approval of the 2007 Plan, the Board of Directors may generally amend
the 2007 Plan at any time without the approval of the Company’s stockholders,
except as may be required by law or stock exchange rules.
Although
j2 Global’s Board adopted the 2007 Plan primarily for the reasons discussed
above, you should keep in mind that any or all of the shares authorized under
the 2007 Plan also could be used for grants to any of the Company’s current
executive officers, other officers or directors, as well as to other employees
or consultants. Due to the discretionary nature of the 2007 Plan, j2 Global
cannot predict the extent of additional benefits that any individual or category
of eligible individual ultimately will receive under it.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE 2007 STOCK
PLAN.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Each
director, except Richard S. Ressler, receives an annual retainer of $50,000.
In
addition to the annual retainer, the Chair of each of the Audit, Compensation,
Corporate Governance and Nominating, and Investor Relations Committees receives
$10,000 per annum. Mr. Ressler is separately compensated
for his services as Chairman of the Board pursuant to a consulting agreement
between the Company and Orchard Capital Corporation, a company controlled by
Mr. Ressler. Under this consulting arrangement, which runs for consecutive
six-month terms, Orchard Capital receives compensation of $275,000 per year.
The
agreement is terminable by either party by written notice delivered at least
30
days prior to commencement of the next six-month term.
j2
Global’s directors are eligible to participate in the 1997 Plan. If approved, j2
Global’s directors will also be eligible to participate in the 2007 Stock Plan.
During 2006, j2 Global did not make any equity-based awards to its directors
and
no directors exercised any j2 Global options or warrants.
On
August
3, 2007, the Company granted each of Messrs. Ressler, Bech, Cresci, Rieley
and
Schulhof 9,000 options to purchase shares of j2 Global common stock, and awarded
each of them 3,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common
stock. In addition, the Company granted 33,000 options to purchase
shares of j2 Global common stock, as well as 11,000 restricted shares of the
Company’s common stock to William Brian Kretzmer and Stephen Ross, two newly
appointed independent members of the Company’s Board of
Directors. Messrs. Kretzmer’s and Ross’s appointments were effective
July 24, 2007, and filled two vacancies created by an increase in the size
of
the Board of Directors from five to seven. Their terms on the Board
of Directors will expire at j2 Global’s annual meeting of stockholders in
2008.
On
August
3, 2007, the Board of Directors also approved annual stock option grants and
restricted stock awards to each director at the first scheduled Compensation
Committee and Board meeting following each annual meeting of stockholders,
commencing with the 2008 annual meeting, as follows:
·
|
options
to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock with an aggregate
exercise price of $300,000; and
|
·
|
restricted
shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $100,000
on the date of grant.
|
In
order
to avoid potential taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, in
December 2006 the Company offered each named executive officer and director
the
option to increase the exercise price of certain of their stock options. In
connection with these amendments, in 2007 the Company made compensating payments
to each such named executive officer and Board member to reflect the decreased
value of their stock options due to the increase in exercise price.
The
following table contains
information with respect to the compensation of the Company’s directors for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Director
Compensation Table
Name
|
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
Stock Awards
($)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
S. Ressler
|
|
$275,000
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
$275,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
F. Rieley
|
|
$
60,000
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
$
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
P. Schulhof
|
|
$
60,000
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
$
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
J. Cresci
|
|
$
60,000
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
$
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas
Y. Bech
|
|
$
50,000
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
$
50,000
|
(1) Mr.
Rieley also received consulting fees of $100,000 for international public
relations services.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
Information
Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders
The
following table contains information regarding the beneficial ownership of
the
Company’s common stock (using information as of the dates indicated) by the
stockholders the Company believes beneficially own more than five percent of
the
Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The percentage of ownership is
calculated using the number of outstanding shares on July 31, 2007.
Name
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
|
|
FMR
Corp.
82
Devonshire Street,
Boston,
Massachusetts 02109
|
5,082,441(2)
|
|
10.26%
|
|
|
|
|
Munder
Capital Management
480
Pierce Street
Birmingham,
Michigan 48009
|
4,193,612(3)
|
|
8.46%
|
|
|
|
|
William
Blair & Company, L.L.C.
222
W. Adams
Chicago,
Illinois 60606
|
7,025,781(4)
|
|
14.18%
|
____________
(1)
|
As
of July 31, 2007, 49,549,935 shares of j2 Global common stock were
outstanding.
|
(2)
|
Based
upon information as of April 30, 2007 set forth in stockholder’s
Schedule13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 10,
2007.
|
(3)
|
Based
upon information as of December 31, 2006 set forth in stockholder’s
Schedule13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 14, 2007.
|
(4)
|
Based
upon information as of December 31, 2006 set forth in stockholder’s
Schedule13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
January
17, 2007.
|
Information
Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Management
The
following table sets forth certain information that has been provided to the
Company with respect to beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s common
stock as of July 31, 2007 by: (i) each director and nominee for director of
the
Company, (ii) each of the named executive officers and (iii) all directors
and
executive officers of the Company as a group:
Name(1)
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(2)
|
|
|
Richard
S.
Ressler
|
2,405,850(3)
|
|
4.74%
|
Douglas
Y.
Bech
|
294,468(4)
|
|
*
|
Robert
J.
Cresci
|
312,000(5)
|
|
*
|
W.
Brian
Kretzmer
|
11,000(6)
|
|
|
John
F.
Rieley
|
60,000(7)
|
|
*
|
Stephen
Ross
|
11,000(8)
|
|
|
Michael
P.
Schulhof
|
72,000(9)
|
|
*
|
Nehemia
Zucker
|
95,000(10)
|
|
*
|
R.
Scott
Turicchi
|
808,710(11)
|
|
1.61%
|
Jeffrey
D.
Adelman
|
34,285(12)
|
|
*
|
Kathleen
M. Griggs(13)
|
30,000(14)
|
|
*
|
Greggory
Kalvin(15)
|
|
|
*
|
All
directors and named executive officers
as
a group (12 persons)
|
4,197,698
(16)
|
|
7.94%
|
_____________
*
Less
than 1%
(1)
|
The
address for all executive officers, directors and director nominees
is c/o
j2 Global Communications, Inc., 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 500,
Los
Angeles, CA 90028.
|
(2)
|
As
of July 31, 2007, 49,549,935 shares of j2 Global common stock were
outstanding.
|
(3)
|
Consists
of 1,156,850 shares of stock, including 18,000 shares of unvested
restricted stock, and options to acquire 1,249,000 shares of j2 Global
common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date
for
the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(4)
|
Consists
of 94,404 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 18,000 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, owned by Douglas Y. Bech, 10,052 shares
of
stock owned by the AYBech Trust of 1984, 10,052 shares of stock owned
by
the KEBech Trust of 1984, and options to acquire 200,064 shares of
j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Bech is the trustee
of the
AYBech Trust of 1984 and of the KEBech Trust of 1984, but has disclaimed
beneficial ownership of any shares of j2 Global common stock in which
he
has no pecuniary interest.
|
(5)
|
Consists
of 23,000 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 18,000 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 289,000 shares
of j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(6)
|
Consists
of 11,000 shares of unvested restricted stock of j2
Global.
|
(7)
|
Consists
of 23,000 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 18,000 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 37,000 shares of
j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(8)
|
Consists
of 11,000 shares of unvested restricted stock of j2
Global.
|
(9)
|
Consists
of 23,000 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 18,000 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 49,000 shares of
j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(10)
|
Consists
of 59,000 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 50,000 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 36,000 shares of
j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(11)
|
Consists
of 178,710 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 45,250 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 630,000 shares
of j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(12)
|
Consists
of 22,285 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 18,000 shares
of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 12,000 shares of
j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
(13)
|
Effective
June 1, 2007, the Company appointed Kathleen M. Griggs as Chief Financial
Officer of the Company.
|
(14)
|
Consists
of 30,000 shares of unvested restricted stock of j2
Global.
|
(15)
|
Effective
June 1, 2007, Greggory Kalvin no longer served as Chief Accounting
Officer
of the Company and was no longer a named executive officer. Mr.
Kalvin resigned as an employee of the Company effective July 16,
2007.
|
(16)
|
Consists
of 4,134,313 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 255,250
shares of
unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 2,502,064 shares
of j2
Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record
date
for the Special Meeting of
Stockholders.
|
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation
Disclosure and Analysis
General
The
Compensation Committee of j2 Global’s Board of Directors:
·
|
administers
the Company’s compensation programs, including its stock option and
employee stock purchase plans;
|
·
|
recommends
to the Board, for approval by a majority of independent directors,
the
compensation to be paid to the Company’s
executives;
|
·
|
recommends
to the Board of Directors changes to j2 Global’s compensation policies and
benefits programs; and
|
·
|
otherwise
seeks to ensure that j2 Global’s compensation philosophy is consistent
with j2 Global’s best interests and is properly
implemented.
|
The
Compensation Committee currently is comprised of three non-employee directors
whom the Board has determined are independent for purposes of Nasdaq Marketplace
Rule 4350.
Compensation
Philosophy and Objectives
The
Company’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and
motivate the Company’s executive officers in a manner that is tied directly to
achievement of the Company’s overall operating and financial goals, and thereby
increase j2 Global’s overall equity value.
Compensation
for j2 Global’s executives, including for 2006 and 2007, consists of salary,
participation in an executive bonus program and stock option grants and
restricted stock awards. The
Company’s
Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal policy for allocating
compensation between long-term and short-term, between cash and non-cash, or among different
forms of
non-cash compensation. Rather, the Committee helps
the Board
of Directors assess past performance and anticipated future contribution
of each
executive officer in recommending to the Board of Directors, for approval
by a
majority of independent directors, the total amount and mix of each element
of
compensation. The Co-Presidents as well as the Chairman of the Board participate
actively in this process, with the Co-Presidents being primarily responsible
for
establishing compensation payable to non-executive officers. In setting
compensation for any given year, the Compensation Committee generally does
not
consider the amount of compensation from prior periods or amounts realizable
from prior compensation.
The
Company’s compensation objective is to link compensation to continuous
improvements in corporate performance and increase in stockholder value. The
Company’s executive compensation program goals include the
following:
·
|
To
establish pay levels that attract, retain and motivate highly qualified
executive officers while considering the overall market competitiveness
for such executive talent and balancing the relationship between
total
stockholder return and direct
compensation;
|
·
|
To
align executive officer remuneration with the interests of the
stockholders;
|
·
|
To
recognize superior individual
performance;
|
·
|
To
balance base and incentive compensation to complement the Company’s annual
and longer term business objectives and strategies and encourage
the
fulfillment of those objectives and strategies through executive
officer
performance; and
|
·
|
To
provide compensation opportunities based on the Company’s
performance.
|
Compensation
Components
Executive
compensation consists of the following elements:
Salary.
Base salaries are evaluated annually for all executive officers. In
determining appropriate salary levels for such officers to recommend to the
Board of Directors for its approval, the Compensation Committee considers,
among
other factors, the officer’s scope of responsibility, prior experience, and past
performance and data on prevailing compensation levels in relevant markets
for
executive talent. The Compensation Committee generally targets executive
salaries above the 25th percentile
for
comparable positions based upon compensation survey information j2 Global
purchases which discloses aggregated compensation data for a group of
unidentified companies with similar characteristics as j2 Global in terms of
revenues, number of employees and other similar factors. The Compensation
Committee conducts an annual review of executive salaries against this survey
information to help ensure that executive salaries remain in line with the
Compensation Committee’s target range. In approving salary increases during 2006
and 2007, the Compensation Committee considered not only the survey information,
but also the Company’s and individuals’ performance.
Bonus.
j2 Global has established an executive bonus program for awarding bonuses to
the
Company’s senior executives, including the named executive officers. Bonus
guidelines under the program are established each year and are designed to
encourage and reward senior management for (a) attaining Company-wide financial
goals, (b) improving the financial and operational health of j2 Global, and
(c)
meeting or exceeding individually defined goals and objectives for each
executive. The plan provides guidelines only as to payment of bonuses to
executive program participants, is non-binding and does not create any contract
right between the Company and the participants.
The
process under this program begins with development of corporate financial
targets and individual goals and objectives for each program participant. The
financial objectives are generally in alignment with the Company’s budget for
the year. The individual goals and objectives are designed to help the Company
achieve its financial goals. The corporate financial objectives and all
individual goals and objectives are recommended by the Compensation Committee
for approval by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority of independent
directors.
Under
the
program, j2 Global establishes a “bonus pool” based upon an aggregate of
specified percentages of base salary of all eligible executives. For 2006,
the
“target” bonus percentage for the Co-Presidents was 50% of their base salary.
Effective August 3, 2007 the “target” bonus percentage for the Co-President and
Chief Operating Officer, Nehemia Zucker, was increased to 75% of his base
salary. Co-President Scott Turicchi’s “target” bonus percentage for 2007
remained at 50%. For 2006, the target for the Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary was 30% and the target for the Chief Accounting Officer
was 25%. Effective August 3, 2007 the “target” bonus percentage for
the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary was increased to
35%. Effective June 1, 2007, the Company appointed Kathleen M. Griggs
as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Ms. Griggs’ “target” bonus
percentage for 2007 is 35%. Ms. Griggs has assumed the responsibility
of principal accounting officer, and, as a result, effective June 1, 2007,
the
Company Chief Accounting Officer position has been eliminated. The bonus pool
is
“funded” only if the Company achieves at least 97.5% of the budgeted net income
and earnings per diluted share targets (the “Threshold Earnings Targets”). Even
if those earnings targets are achieved, the pool will be funded only if they
are
achieved in a manner consistent with the Company achieving the pre-determined
revenue and net income before taxes results (the “Other Corporate Objectives”).
Once funded, it is anticipated – although not guaranteed – that the entire pool
will be distributed among the eligible participants.
If
the
Threshold Earnings Targets are achieved, the bonus pool is funded at 100%.
If
less than 97.5% of the Threshold Earnings Targets are achieved, the bonus pool
is not funded at all. If more than 107.51% of the Threshold Earnings Targets
are
achieved, the bonus pool can be funded up to 135% of the target pool
amount.
The
Compensation Committee and Board retain discretion to increase or decrease
the
funding of the bonus pool notwithstanding the achievement of these criteria
based on factors they deem appropriate. In both 2005 and 2006, the Compensation
Committee recommended for approval by the Board of Directors, and the three
independent members of the Board of Directors approved, funding the bonus pool
at 100%.
Once
the
bonus pool has been funded, individual bonuses are established by evaluating
each executive’s relative contribution to the success of the Company as a whole,
as well as his or her success in meeting his or her individual objectives.
Individual bonus amounts are recommended by the Compensation Committee for
approval by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority of independent
directors. As a result of this process, in 2006 the named executive officers
were awarded the following bonuses under the 2005 executive bonus
program:
Nehemia
Zucker:
|
$135,000
|
|
R.
Scott Turicchi:
|
$105,000
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman:
|
$46,000
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin:
|
$10,000
|
|
On
March
22, 2007, through this same process the Compensation Committee unanimously
recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board approved that same day
by a
majority of
independent
directors, the following bonuses for the Company’s named executive officers
under the 2006 executive bonus program:
Nehemia
Zucker:
|
$195,000
|
|
R.
Scott Turicchi:
|
$158,000
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman:
|
$86,000
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin:
|
$24,000
|
|
j2
Global
does not have any policy regarding the adjustment or recovery of awards under
the bonus program in the event that the relevant performance measures are later
restated or adjusted.
Stock
Options and Restricted Stock. Stock option and restricted stock awards are
designed to align the interests of executives and employees with the long-term
interests of the stockholders. The Compensation Committee approves option grants
and restricted stock awards subject to vesting periods to retain executives
and
employees and encourage sustained contributions. Awards of restricted stock
are
generally reserved for the most senior and critical executives. The Company
does
not follow a practice of making annual stock option grants or restricted stock
awards to its executive officers. Rather, it makes these awards as and when
it
deems appropriate. The Company also sometimes approves awards in connection
with
promotions or significant increases in responsibility of executive officers.
The
Compensation Committee determines the size of option grants and restricted
stock
awards based upon the expected future value of those awards over the vesting
period that it considers appropriate to incentivize and retain the services
of
executive officers while preserving shareholder value. The typical vesting
period of options is four or five years, with a pro rata portion vesting on
each
anniversary of the date of grant. The exercise price of options is the closing
market price on the date of grant. The typical vesting period of restricted
stock awards is five years, vesting on the following graduated schedule on
each
anniversary of the date of award: 10% on the first anniversary, 15% on the
second anniversary, 20% on the third anniversary, 25% on the fourth anniversary
and 30% on the fifth anniversary.
Employee
Stock Purchase Plan. j2 Global offers all of its employees, including the
Company’s executive officers, the opportunity to purchase the Company’s common
stock through a tax-qualified employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). Under the
ESPP, eligible employees can withhold up to 15% of their earnings, up to
certain
maximums, to be used to purchase shares of j2 Global’s common stock at certain
plan-defined dates. The price of the common stock purchased under the ESPP
for
the offering periods is equal to 95% of its fair value at the end of the
offering period.
Other
Compensation. j2 Global’s executive officers are entitled to participate in
the Company’s health, vision, dental, life and disability insurance plans, and
the Company’s tax qualified 401(k) plan, to the same extent that the Company’s
other employees are entitled to participate. Participants in the 401(k) plan
are
eligible for up to a $500 annual Company match, which vests over a three-year
period. In addition, the Company pays a higher portion of employer contributions
toward premiums for executives to participate in the health, vision and dental
plans.
In
order
to avoid potential taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, in
December 2006, the Company offered each named executive officer and Board
member
the option to increase the exercise price of certain of their stock options.
In
January 2007, the Company made compensating payments to each such named
executive officer and Board member to reflect the decreased value of their
stock
options due to the increase in exercise price.
Change
in Control and Severance Arrangements. j2 Global has not provided change in
control or severance arrangements to any of the Company’s executive officers,
except that Mr. Zucker has an employment contract with the Company that contains
a severance arrangement if he is terminated without
cause.
Mr. Zucker’s employment agreement has no specified term and is terminable at
will by either party, but provides for severance payments equal to six months’
salary in the event of a termination by j2 Global without cause. In addition,
in
the event of a change of control, each option and each share of restricted
stock
will become immediately exercisable in full unless the Board of Directors
determines that the holder has been offered substantially identical replacement
options or replacement shares of restricted stock, as the case may be, and
a
comparable position at the acquiring company.
After
its
review of all existing programs, consideration of current market and competitive
conditions, and alignment with the Company’s overall compensation objectives and
philosophy, the Compensation Committee believes that the total compensation
program for the Company’s executive officers is focused on increasing value for
stockholders and enhancing the Company’s performance. The Compensation Committee
currently believes that a significant portion of compensation of executive
officers is properly tied to stock appreciation or stockholder value through
stock options and restricted stock awards and annual incentive bonus measures.
The Company’s Compensation Committee believes that its executive compensation
levels are competitive with the compensation programs offered by other
corporations with which it competes for executive talent.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of j2 Global’s filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that might incorporate
future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the
following Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “Soliciting
Material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and shall not be incorporated by
reference into any filings under the Securities Act or Exchange Act whether
made
before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation
language in such filings.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
Management
of the Company has prepared the Compensation Discussion and Analysis as required
by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, and the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed it with management. Based on
this
review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board
of
Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the
proxy
statement for j2 Global’s Special Meeting of Shareholders.
|
Submitted
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors,
|
|
Michael
P. Schulhof, Chairman
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The
j2
Global Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Bech, Cresci
and Schulhof. j2 Global has no interlocking relationships or other transactions
involving any of its Compensation Committee members that are required to be
reported pursuant to applicable SEC rules. No member of the Compensation
Committee has ever been an officer or employee of j2 Global.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
table
below summarizes the total compensation earned by each of the named executive
officers in 2006.
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Change
in
Pension
Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Nehemia
Zucker
Co-President
& COO
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
366,154
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
135,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
10,493
|
|
|
$ |
511,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
Turicchi
Co-President
& CFO(1)
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
313,846
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
105,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
10,493
|
|
|
$ |
429,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman
Vice
President, General Counsel & Secretary
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
191,923
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
46,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
8,815
|
|
|
$ |
246,738
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin
Chief
Accounting Officer(2)
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
137,308
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
10,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
7,703
|
|
|
$ |
155,011
|
|
(1)
|
Effective
June 1, 2007, the Company appointed Kathleen M. Griggs as Chief Financial
Officer of the Company. Mr. Turicchi will continue to serve as
Co-President.
|
|
Effective
June 1, 2007, Greggory Kalvin no longer served as Chief Accounting
Officer
of the Company and was no longer a named executive
officer.
|
All
Other Compensation
The
following table and related footnotes describe each component of the column
entitled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation
Table.
Name
|
|
Year
|
|
Perquisites
and
Other
Personal
Benefits
($)
|
|
|
Tax
Reimbursements
($)
|
|
|
Insurance
Premiums
($)
|
|
|
Company
Contributions
to Retirement and
401(k)
Plans
($)
|
|
|
Severance
Payments /
Accruals
($)
|
|
|
Change
in Control
Payments /
Accruals(1)
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Nehemia
Zucker
|
|
2006
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
9,993
|
(2) |
|
$ |
500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
10,493
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.
Scott Turicchi
|
|
2006
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
9,993
|
(2) |
|
$ |
500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
10,493
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman
|
|
2006
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
8,315
|
(3) |
|
$ |
500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
8,815
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin(4)
|
|
2006
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
7,203
|
(5) |
|
$ |
500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$ |
7,703
|
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Zucker has a severance agreement with the Company pursuant to which
he is
entitled to receive severance payments equal to six months’ salary in the
event of a termination by j2 Global without
cause.
|
(2)
|
Consists
of $9,951 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions
and $41 in life insurance premium contributions for $10,000 in life
insurance benefits.
|
(3)
|
Consists
of $8,273 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions
and $41 in life insurance premium contributions for $10,000 in life
insurance benefits.
|
(4)
|
Effective
June 1, 2007, Greggory Kalvin no longer served as Chief Accounting
Officer
of the Company and was no longer a named executive
officer.
|
(5)
|
Consists
of $7,161 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions
and $41 in life insurance premium contributions for $10,000 in life
insurance benefits.
|
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards Table
Name
|
|
Grant
Date (1)
|
|
|
Estimated
Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of
Stock
or
Units
(#)
|
|
|
All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Exercise or
Base
Price
of
Option
Awards
($ / Sh)
|
|
|
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold
($)
|
|
|
Target
($)
|
|
|
Maximum
($)
|
|
|
Threshold
(#)
|
|
|
Target
(#)
|
|
|
Maximum
(#)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nehemia
Zucker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
183,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.
Scott Turicchi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
156,923
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
57,577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
34,327
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
Company
did not grant
any equity awards during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
|
[REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Outstanding
Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End
The
following table provides
information on the holdings of stock options and restricted stock by the named
executive officers at December 31, 2006. All share numbers and share prices
have been retroactively restated to reflect a May 2006 two-for-one stock split
effected in the form of a stock dividend.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) (1)
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
Number of
Shares
or
Units
of
Stock That
Have
Not
Vested
(2)
(#)
|
|
|
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units
of
Stock That
Have
Not
Vested
(3)
($)
|
|
|
Equity Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nehemia
Zucker
|
|
|
46,754
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.53
|
|
6/25/2012
|
|
|
54,000
|
|
|
$ |
1,471,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,246
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.53
|
|
6/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,840
|
|
|
|
21,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.77
|
|
8/31/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,160
|
|
|
|
122,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.77
|
|
8/31/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.
Scott Turicchi |
|
|
126,296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.07
|
|
4/14/2010
|
|
|
49,500
|
|
|
$ |
1,348,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.94
|
|
12/28/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.53
|
|
6/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.88
|
|
5/8/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
193,704
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.07
|
|
4/14/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,328
|
|
|
|
21,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.77
|
|
8/31/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,672
|
|
|
|
110,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.77
|
|
8/31/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.17
|
|
12/28/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,000
|
|
|
|
44,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.95
|
|
5/8/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.47
|
|
6/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman |
|
|
4,200
|
|
|
|
21,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.77
|
|
8/31/2015
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
$ |
490,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,800
|
|
|
|
26,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.77
|
|
8/31/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.47
|
|
6/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin(4) |
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.47
|
|
6/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,667
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.95
|
|
5/8/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.95
|
|
5/8/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
All
stock options granted have 10-year terms. For options granted before
August 2005, one-quarter of the options vest and are exercisable
on the
one-year anniversary of the grant date and each of the remaining
one-quarter portions of the options vest and are exercisable on each
annual anniversary of the grant date thereafter. For options granted
during or after August 2005, 20% of the options vest and are exercisable
on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and each of the remaining
20% portions of the options vest and are exercisable on each annual
anniversary of the grant date
thereafter.
|
(2)
|
The
restricted shares are subject to a five-year restricted period, which
commences on the award date, with restrictions lapsing as to 10%
of the
shares on the first anniversary of the award date, 15% of the shares
on
the second anniversary of the award date, 20% of the shares on the
third
anniversary of the award date, 25% of the shares on the fourth anniversary
of the award date, and 30% of the shares on the fifth anniversary
of the
award date.
|
(3)
|
The
market value is determined by multiplying the number of shares by $27.25,
the closing trading price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq
Global Market on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of the fiscal
year.
|
(4)
|
Effective
June 1, 2007, Greggory Kalvin no longer served as Chief Accounting
Officer
of the Company and was no longer a named executive
officer.
|
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock options
exercised and vested stock awards by j2 Global’s named executive officers during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. All share numbers and share prices
have been retroactively restated to reflect a May 2006 two-for-one stock split
effected in the form of a stock dividend.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
|
|
|
Value Realized
on
Exercise
($)
|
|
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
|
|
|
Value Realized
on
Vesting
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nehemia
Zucker
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
$ |
288,250
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
$ |
170,640
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.
Scott Turicchi
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,500
|
|
|
$ |
156,420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Adelman
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
$ |
259,955
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
$ |
56,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greggory
Kalvin
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
|
$ |
422,963
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During
2006, the Company’s named executive officers elected to delay vesting of their
first tranche of restricted stock from August 31, 2006 to December 4, 2006
to
account for an extended trading blackout that resulted from the independent
investigation by a special committee of the Board of Directors into the
Company’s stock option grants and related procedures.
[REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 regarding shares
outstanding and available for issuance under j2 Global’s existing stock option
plans (in millions, except per share amounts):
Plan
Category
|
Number
of Securities
to
be Issued Upon
Exercise
of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights
(a)
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and
Rights
(b)
|
Number
of Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance Under
Equity
Compensation
Plans
(Excluding
Securities
Reflected in
Column
(a))
(c)
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
4,639,614
|
$8.58
|
3,858,596
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
_________________
(1)
|
These
plans consist of the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option
Plan
and the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan.
|
(2)
|
Of
these, 2,172,347 shares remained available for grant under the Second
Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan and 1,689,249 shares
remained
available for grant under the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as
of
December 31, 2006. The Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option
Plan
terminates in November 1997, and no additional shares will be available
for grant under that plan after November 1997. In addition, as described
elsewhere herein under “Approval of 2007 Stock Plan,” the Board of
Directors has imposed an additional limit on the granting of stock-based
awards under the 1997 Plan pending this Special
Meeting.
|
Second
Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan
j2
Global’s 1997 Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors and
approved by the stockholders in November 1997. In May 2001, j2 Global amended
and restated the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan for a second time
to permit the issuance of restricted stock under the plan (the “1997 Plan”). A
total of twelve million shares of j2 Global’s common stock have been reserved
for issuance under the 1997 Plan. As of December 31, 2006, there were
2,172,347 additional shares
underlying options and shares of restricted stock available for grant under
the
1997 Plan and 4,639,614 options and 307,840 nonvested
shares of restricted stock were outstanding under the 1997 Plan. As of June
30,
2007, there were
1,779,799 additional shares
underlying options and shares of restricted stock available for grant under
the
1997 Plan and 4,409,107 options and 356,300 nonvested
shares of restricted stock were outstanding under the 1997 Plan.
The
1997
Plan provides for grants to employees, including officers and employee
directors, of “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and for grants of non-statutory
stock
options and restricted stock awards to employees, including officers and
employee directors, and consultants, who may be non-employee
directors.
The
1997
Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of j2 Global’s Board of
Directors. The 1997 Plan administrator determines the terms of the options
granted and restricted stock awarded, including the exercise price of each
option, the number of shares subject to each option and
covered
by each restricted stock award and the vesting of each option and restricted
stock award. The 1997 Plan administrator also has the full power to select
the
individuals to whom options and restricted stock will be granted and to make
any
combination of grants to any participants. Notwithstanding the powers bestowed
on the Compensation Committee under the terms of the 1997 Plan, the Company
has
adopted a policy for equity compensation grants and awards to Board members,
executive officers, other employees and consultants that, among other things,
requires that all stock option grants and restricted stock awards be finally
approved by a majority of independent directors.
Options
generally have a term of 10 years. For options granted in 1999 and prior years,
one-third of the options vested on the one-year anniversary of the grant date
and each of the remaining one-third portions of the options vested on each
annual anniversary of the grant date thereafter. For options granted after
1999
but before August 2005, one-quarter of the options vest on the one-year
anniversary of the grant date and each of the remaining one-quarter portions
of
the options vest on each annual anniversary of the grant date thereafter. For
options granted during or after August 2005, 20% of the options vest on the
one-year anniversary of the grant date and each of the remaining 20% portions
of
the options vest on each annual anniversary of the grant date
thereafter.
The
option exercise price may not be less than the higher of the par value or 100%
of the fair market value of j2 Global’s common stock on the grant date. However,
non-statutory options may be granted at exercise prices of not less than the
higher of the par value or 85% of the fair market value of j2 Global’s common
stock on the date the option is granted. In the case of an incentive option
granted to a person who at the time of the grant owns stock representing more
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of j2 Global’s common
stock, the option exercise price for each share of common stock covered by
such
option may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of j2
Global’s common stock on the grant date of such option.
Restricted
stock awards are generally subject to a five-year restricted period, which
commences on the award date, with restrictions lapsing as to 10% of the shares
on the first anniversary of the award date, 15% of the shares on the second
anniversary of the award date, 20% of the shares on the third anniversary of
the
award date, 25% of the shares on the fourth anniversary of the award date,
and
30% of the shares on the fifth anniversary of the award date.
In
the
event of a change of control of the Company, each option and each share of
restricted stock will become immediately exercisable in full unless the Board
of
Directors determines that the holder has been offered substantially identical
replacement options or replacement shares of restricted stock, as the case
may
be, and a comparable position at the acquiring company.
The
1997
Plan will expire in November 2007 in accordance with its terms, except that
the
1997 plan continues to govern options previously granted under it. At this
Special Meeting, we are submitting a proposal to our shareholders for approval
of the 2007 Stock Plan to replace the 1997 Plan.
[REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
DEADLINE
FOR SUBMITTING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE NEXT
ANNUAL MEETING
Under
Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, certain stockholder proposals may be
eligible for inclusion in j2 Global’s proxy statement and form of proxy. The
date by which stockholder proposals must be received by j2 Global so that they
may be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for
the
Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is December 31, 2007 (or if the
date of the next j2 Global Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days
from the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting, a reasonable time before j2 Global
begins to print and mail its proxy materials). Under j2 Global’s Bylaws,
stockholder proposals which a stockholder does not seek to include in the proxy
statement and form of proxy pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act must
be received by j2 Global not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the date of the next j2 Global Annual Meeting (unless there are fewer
than 70 days between the date the next Annual Meeting is announced and the
date
it is held, in which case such advance notice must be given at least 10 days
after the date of the announcement). Notice of a stockholder’s intent to
nominate candidates for election as directors must be submitted within the
deadline for submission of stockholder proposals. Stockholder proposals or
notices of intent to nominate candidates for election as directors should be
submitted to j2 Global Communications, Inc. at 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite
500, Los Angeles, California 90028, attention: Legal Department.
COST
OF SPECIAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION
j2
Global
is paying the expenses of this solicitation. The Company also will reimburse
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their
reasonable expenses in sending proxy material to principals and obtaining their
instructions. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers
and
employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax, email or similar
means. The Company may engage a third-party proxy solicitation
company to assist in soliciting proxies.
HOUSEHOLDING
As
permitted by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, only one copy of this Proxy
Statement is being delivered to stockholders residing at the same address,
unless such stockholders have notified j2 Global of their desire to receive
multiple copies of the Proxy Statement.
j2
Global
will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the
Proxy Statement to any stockholder residing at an address to which only one
copy
was mailed. Requests for additional copies should be directed to j2 Global’s
Secretary, 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028,
(323) 860-9200, attention: Legal Department.
OTHER
MATTERS
The
Board
of Directors knows of no other business that will be presented at the Special
Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Special Meeting,
proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect thereof as the proxy
holders deem advisable.
It
is
important that the proxies be returned promptly and that your shares be
represented. Stockholders are urged to mark, date, sign and promptly return
the
accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
The
form
of proxy and this Proxy Statement have been approved by the Board of Directors
and are being mailed and delivered to stockholders by its
authority.
By
Order
of the Board of Directors,
Richard
S. Ressler
Chairman
of the Board
Los
Angeles, California
Dated:
September __, 2007
EXHIBIT
A
J2
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
2007
STOCK OPTION PLAN
ARTICLE
I
PURPOSES
1.1 Purpose
of Plan. The purposes of the j2 Global Communications, Inc. 2007
Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) are to advance the interests of j2 Global
Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) and its shareholders by providing
significant incentives to selected officers, employees, and consultants
of the
Company who contribute and are expected to contribute to the success of
the
Company, and to enhance the interest of such officers and employees in
the
Company’s success and progress by providing them with an opportunity to become
shareholders of the Company. Further, the Plan is designed to enhance
the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees necessary for
the success and progress of the Company.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Definitions. Certain
terms used herein shall have the meaning below stated, subject to the provisions
of Section 7.1 hereof.
(a) “Award”
means an award under the Plan as described in Article V. Awards
may be made under the Plan in the form of stock options, including Incentive
Stock Options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted
stock
units, performance shares and share units and other stock-based Awards,
as set
forth in Article V.
(b) “Award
Agreement” means a written agreement entered into between the Company and a
Grantee in connection with an Award.
(c) “Board”
or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(d) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) “Committee”
means either (i) the Board of Directors or (ii) the Compensation Committee
of
the Board of Directors or such other committee of the Board as shall be
appointed by the Board to administer the Plan pursuant to Article VII
hereof. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the members of
the Committee, or the members of the Board who participate in decision
making
with respect to the Plan, shall be “non-employee directors” under
Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
“outside directors” under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee
may delegate any of its powers under the Plan to a subcommittee of the
Committee
consisting of non-employee directors and outside directors. The
Committee
may
also
authorize certain officers of the Company to carry out the day-to-day
administration of the Plan in accordance with the Committee’s
instructions.
(f) “Common
Stock” means, subject to the provisions of Section 9.3, the authorized common
stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share.
(g) “Company”
means j2 Global Communications, Inc.
(h) “Effective
Date” means the date on which the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan is adopted by
the Board or the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company,
whichever is earlier.
(i) “Employee”
means (i) any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company or
of a
Subsidiary, (ii) a member of the Board of Directors, or (iii) any consultant
or
other persons to the extent permitted by the instructions to Form S-8 under
the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, who performs services for the Company
or a
Subsidiary. Service as a member of the Board of Directors or as a
consultant shall be considered employment for all purposes under the Plan
except
the third sentence of Section 4.1.
(j) “Fair
Market Value” means, in respect of a share of Common Stock on any date, the last
reported sales price regular way on such date or, in case no such reported
sale
takes place on such date, the last reported sales price regular way on
the day
preceding such date on which a reported sale occurred, in either case on
the New
York Stock Exchange or, if at the time the Common Stock is not listed or
admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or,
if at
the time the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, in the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated
Quotations (“Nasdaq”) National Market System or, if at the time the Common Stock
is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange
or
quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and
asked
prices in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any New York Stock
Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the Company for that
purpose
or, if the Common Stock is not traded over-the-counter, as determined by
the
Committee using any reasonable valuation method.
(k) “Grantee”
means an Employee who receives a grant of Options or other Award under
the
Plan.
(l) “Incentive
Stock Option” means an Option to purchase Common Stock, granted by the Company
to an Employee pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, which meets the requirements
of
Section 422 of the Code.
(m) “Nonstatutory
Stock Option” means an Option to purchase Common Stock, granted by the Company
to an Employee pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, which does not meet the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code or which provides, as of the time
the
Option is granted, that it will not be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option.
(n) “Option”
means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(o) “Option
Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and a Grantee evidencing the
terms of an Option granted under the Plan.
(p) “Plan”
means the j2 Global Communications, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan, as set
forth
herein and as from time to time amended.
(q) “Restricted
Stock Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and a Grantee evidencing
the terms of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan.
(r) “Subsidiary”
means a subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f)
of the
Code.
(s) “Termination
of Employment” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, that a
Grantee shall be deemed to have a “Termination of Employment” upon ceasing
employment with the Company or a Subsidiary (or, in the case of a Grantee
who is
not an employee, upon ceasing association with the Company or a Subsidiary
as a
director, consultant or otherwise). The Committee in its discretion
may determine (a) whether any leave of absence constitutes a Termination of
Employment for purposes of the Plan, (b) the impact, if any, of any such
leave of absence on Awards theretofore made under the Plan, and (c) when
a
change in a Grantee’s association with the Company constitutes a Termination of
Employment for purposes of the Plan. The Committee may also determine
whether a Grantee’s Termination of Employment is for Cause (as hereinafter
defined) and the date of termination in such case.
ARTICLE
III
EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THE PLAN; RESERVATION OF SHARES
3.1 Effective
Date. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective
Date.
3.2 Shares
Reserved Under Plan. The total number of shares of Common Stock
which may be transferred pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall
not
exceed 4,500,000 shares and, as an individual limitation, the maximum number
of
shares of Common Stock with respect to which Options may be granted to
a Grantee
in any one-year period may not exceed 400,000 shares. Such shares may
be authorized but unissued Common Stock or authorized and issued Common
Stock
held in the Company’s treasury or acquired by the Company for the purposes of
the Plan. The Committee may direct that any stock certificate
evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting
forth
such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares pursuant
to the
Plan. If any Award is forfeited or otherwise terminates or is
canceled without the delivery of shares of Common Stock, shares of Common
Stock
are surrendered or withheld from any Award to satisfy a Grantee’s income tax
withholding obligations, or shares of Common Stock owned by a Grantee are
tendered to pay the exercise price of options or other Awards granted under
the
Plan, then the shares covered by such forfeited, terminated or canceled
Award or
which are equal to the number of shares surrendered, withheld or tendered
shall
again become available for transfer pursuant to Awards granted or to
be
granted under this Plan. Any shares of Common Stock delivered by the
Company, any shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards are made
by the
Company and any shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Company
becomes
obligated to make Awards, through the assumption of, or in substitution
for,
outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired entity, shall not
be
counted against the shares available for Awards under this
Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the cancellation
or forfeiture of Restricted Stock or other Award with respect to which
dividends
have been paid or accrued, the number of shares with respect to such Restricted
Stock or other Award shall not be available for subsequent grants hereunder
unless, in the case of shares with respect to which dividends were accrued
by
unpaid, such dividends are also canceled or forfeited. The Company shall
at all
times while the Plan is in effect reserve such number of shares of Common
Stock
as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
As
a
further limitation on the total number of shares of Common Stock which
may be
transferred pursuant to Awards granted under the combination of (i) the
Plan and (ii) the predecessor 1997 stock option plan of the Company (the
“1997 Plan”), on August 22, 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company adopted
resolutions with the content set forth below which shall operate as a limitation
on the grant of stock-based awards under the 1997 Plan during the period
prior
to (and, if the Plan is approved, after) the stockholder vote on the proposal
to
approve the Plan:
RESOLVED,
that during the period from June 30, 2007 (at such date a total of
4,765,407 stock-based awards were granted but unexercised under the 1997
Plan)
and until the stockholder vote takes place on the proposal to approve the
2007
Stock Plan [i.e., the Plan as defined herein], the number of shares issued
or
issuable for stock-based awards under the 1997 Plan shall be limited to
a total
of 356,000 shares, notwithstanding any higher limitation that might be
applicable, absent this resolution, under the terms of the 1997 Plan;
and
RESOLVED
FURTHER, that subsequent to the approval by the stockholders of the 2007
Stock
Plan, [i.e., the Plan as defined herein], all stock-based awards shall
be made
under the 2007 Stock Plan and no further stock-based awards shall be made
under
the 1997 Plan.
3.3 Award
Agreements. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced
by an Award Agreement, which shall contain such provisions as the Committee
in
its discretion deems necessary or desirable. The Committee may grant
Awards in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or Awards
granted
under this Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the
Company. Payments or transfers to be made by the Company upon the
grant, exercise or payment of an Award may be made in such form as the
Committee
shall determine, including cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities,
other
Awards or other property and may be made in a single payment or transfer,
in
installments or on a deferred basis. A Grantee shall have no rights
with respect to an Award unless such Grantee accepts the Award within such
period as the Committee shall specify by executing an Award Agreement in
such
form as the Committee shall determine and, if the Committee shall so require,
makes payment to the Company in such amount as the Committee may
determine. The Committee shall determine if loans (whether or not
secured by shares of Common Stock) may be extended or guaranteed by the
Company
with
respect
to any Awards. No Grantee of an Award (or other person having rights
pursuant to such Award) shall have any of the rights of a shareholder of
the
Company with respect to shares subject to such Award until the issuance
of a
stock certificate to such person for such shares. Except as otherwise
provided in the applicable Award Agreement, no adjustment shall be made
for
dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary,
and
whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date
is
prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
ARTICLE
IV
PARTICIPATION
IN PLAN
4.1 Eligibility. Options
or other Awards under the Plan may be granted to any key Employee of the
Company
or a Subsidiary who performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary that
the
Committee deems to be of special importance to the growth and success of
the
Company. The Committee shall determine those Employees to whom
Options or other Awards shall be granted, the type of Option or other Award
to
be granted to each such person, and, subject to Section 3.2 hereof, the
number
of shares of Common Stock subject to each such Option or other
Award. Only individuals who are employed as common-law employees by
the Company or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of Incentive
Stock
Options.
4.2 Participation
Not Guarantee of Employment or Retention. Nothing in this Plan or
in any Option Agreement or any other Award Agreement shall in any manner
be
construed to limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary
to
terminate an Employee’s employment at any time, without regard to the effect of
such termination on any rights such Employee would otherwise have under
this
Plan, or give any right to an Employee to remain employed by the Company
or a
Subsidiary thereof in any particular position or at any particular rate
of
compensation.
ARTICLE
V
GRANT
AND EXERCISE OF OPTIONS; RESTRICTED STOCK; OTHER AWARDS
5.1 Grant
of Options. The Committee may from time to time in its discretion
grant Incentive Stock Options and/or Nonstatutory Stock Options to Employees
at
any time after the Effective Date. All Options under the Plan shall
be granted within ten (10) years from the date the Plan is adopted by the
Board
or the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company, whichever
is earlier.
5.2 Option
Terms. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the
following requirements:
(a) Option
Price. The exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall
not be less than the higher of the par value or 100% of the Fair Market
Value of
the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option
is
granted. The exercise price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall
be the amount determined by the Committee as set forth in the applicable
Option
Agreement, provided that such amount
shall
not
be less than the higher of the par value or 85% of the Fair Market Value
of the
shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is
granted,
provided further that options may only be granted at less than 100% of
the Fair
Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the
date of
grant if the discount is expressly in lieu of a reasonable amount of salary
or
cash bonus, as determined by the Board of Directors or the Committee in
its sole
discretion. The exercise price of an Option may be subject to
adjustment pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof.
(b) Term
of Option. The term during which an Option is exercisable shall
be that period determined by the Committee as set forth in the applicable
Option
Agreement, provided that no Option shall have a term that exceeds a period
of 10
years from the date of its grant.
(c) Nontransferability
of Option. No Option granted under the Plan shall be transferable
by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
and each such Option shall be exercisable during the Grantee’s lifetime only by
him. No transfer of an Option by a Grantee by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless
the
Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy
of the
will and/or such other evidence as the Committee may determine necessary
to
establish the validity of the transfer. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, permit a Grantee to transfer
any Option, which is not an Incentive Stock Option, to one or more of the
Grantee’s immediate family members or to trusts established in whole or in part
for the benefit of the Grantee and/or one or more of such immediate family
members. For purposes of the Plan, the term “immediate family”
shall mean the Grantee’s spouse and issue (including adopted and step
children).
(d) Exercise
of Option. Unless the Option Agreement pursuant to which an
Option is granted provides otherwise, each Option shall become exercisable,
on a
cumulative basis, with respect to 25% of the aggregate number of the shares
of
Common Stock covered thereby on the first anniversary of the date of grant
and
with respect to an additional 25% of the shares of Common Stock covered
thereby
on each of the next three (3) succeeding anniversaries of the date of grant;
provided, however, the Committee may establish a different vesting
schedule for any optionee or group of optionees. Any portion of an
Option which has become exercisable shall remain exercisable until it is
exercised in full or terminates pursuant to the terms of the Plan or the
Option
Agreement pursuant to which it is granted.
(e) Acceleration
of Exercise on Change of Control. Notwithstanding the provisions
of paragraph (d) of this Section or any other restrictions limiting the
number
of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option may be exercised, each
Option
shall become immediately exercisable in full upon and simultaneously with
any
“Change of Control” of the Company unless the Board determines that the optionee
has been offered substantially identical replacement options and a comparable
position at any acquiring company. For purposes of this Plan, a
“Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any
“person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company,
any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company, any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company,
or
any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock
of the
Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then
outstanding securities;
(ii) during
any period of two consecutive years individuals who at the beginning of
such
period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director
designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company
to
effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this Section)
whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then
still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period
or
whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease
for
any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;
(iii) the
stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
would
result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50%
of the
combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;
or
(iv) the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all
or
substantially all of the Company’s assets. For the purposes of this
subsection (iv), “substantially all” of the Company’s assets shall mean assets
for which the price or consideration upon sale or disposition equals or
exceeds
seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the fair market value of the
Company.
(f) Incentive
Stock Options Granted to Ten Percent Shareholders. No Incentive
Stock Options shall be granted to any Employee who owns, directly or indirectly
within the mean of Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than
10% of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
or any
Subsidiary, unless at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the
exercise price of the Incentive Stock Option is at least 110% of the Fair
Market
Value of the Common Stock subject to such Incentive Stock Option and such
Incentive Stock Option, by its terms, is not exercisable after the expiration
of
five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.
(g) Limitation
on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock
Options
are exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year
(under
all plans of the Company and its parent and subsidiary corporations) exceeds
$100,000 (or the then applicable maximum under Section 422 of the Code),
such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For this
purpose, Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they
were
granted and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined
as of
the time the Option with respect to such Common Stock is granted.
5.3 Payment
of Exercise Price and Delivery of Shares.
(a) Notice
and Payment for Shares. Each Option shall be exercised by
delivery of a written notice to the Company in such form as the Committee
shall
approve stating the number of the whole shares of Common Stock as to which
the
Option is being exercised and accompanied by payment therefor. No
Option shall be deemed exercised in the event that payment therefor is
not
received and shares of Common Stock shall not be issued upon the exercise
of an
Option unless the exercise price is paid in full. Payment for shares of
Common
Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be made by (i) cash,
(ii)
certified check payable to the order of the Company, (iii) outstanding
shares of
Common Stock duly endorsed to the Company (which shares of Common Stock
shall be
valued at their Fair Market Value as of the day preceding the date of such
exercise), (iv) any combination of the foregoing, or (v) such other method
of
payment as may be provided in the applicable Option Agreement.
(b) Rights
of Grantee in Stock. Neither any Grantee nor the legal
representatives, heirs, legatees or distributees of any Grantee, shall
be deemed
to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect
to,
any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of an Option granted
hereunder
unless and until such shares are issued to him or them and such person
or
persons have received a certificate or certificates therefor. Upon
the issuance and receipt of such certificate or certificates, such Grantee
or
the legal representatives, heirs, legatees or distributees of such Grantee
shall
have absolute ownership of the shares of Common Stock evidenced thereby,
including the right to vote such shares, to the same extent as any other
owner
of shares of Common Stock, and to receive dividends thereon, subject, however,
to the terms, conditions and restrictions of this Plan.
5.4 Restricted
Stock. The Committee may from time to time in its discretion
grant award shares of restricted stock (“Restricted Stock”) to Employees at any
time after the Effective Date. Each award of Restricted Stock under
the Plan shall be evidenced by a written Restricted Stock Agreement between
the
Company and the Grantee, in such form as the Committee shall from time
to time
approve, and shall comply with the following terms and conditions (and
with such
other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan
as the
Committee, in its discretion, shall establish):
(a) Number
of Shares. Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall state the number
of shares of Restricted Stock to be subject to an award.
(b) Restrictions. Shares
of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged,
hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except by will or the laws of descent
and
distribution, for such period as the Committee shall determine from the
date on
which the award is granted (the “Restricted Period”). The Committee may also
impose such other restrictions and conditions on the shares as it deems
appropriate including the satisfaction of performance criteria. Certificates
for
shares of stock issued pursuant to Restricted Stock awards shall bear an
appropriate legend referring to such restrictions, and any attempt to dispose
of
any such shares of stock in contravention of such restrictions shall be
null and
void and without effect. During the Restricted Period, such certificates
shall
be held in escrow by an escrow agent appointed by the Committee. In determining
the Restricted Period of an award, the Committee may provide that the foregoing
restrictions shall lapse with respect to specified percentages of the awarded
shares on successive anniversaries of the date of such award.
(c) Forfeiture. Subject
to such exceptions as may be determined by the Committee, if the Grantee’s
continuous employment with the Company or any Subsidiary shall terminate
for any
reason prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period of an award, any
shares
remaining subject to restrictions (after taking into account the provisions
of
Section 5.4(e) hereof) shall thereupon be forfeited by the Grantee and
transferred to, and reacquired by, the Company or a Subsidiary at no cost
to the
Company or Subsidiary.
(d) Ownership. During
the Restricted Period the Grantee shall possess all incidents of ownership
of
such shares, subject to Section 5.4(b) hereof, including the right to receive
dividends with respect to such shares and to vote such shares.
(e) Accelerated
Lapse of Restrictions. The Committee shall have the authority
(and the Restricted Stock Agreement may, but need not, so provide) to cancel
all
or any portion of any outstanding restrictions prior to the expiration
of the
Restricted Period with respect to any or all of the shares of Restricted
Stock
awarded on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem
appropriate.
(f) Accelerated
Lapse of Restrictions on Change of Control. Notwithstanding
anything else provided in this Agreement, all outstanding restrictions
on each
share of Restricted Stock shall immediately be canceled in full upon and
simultaneously with any “Change of Control” of the Company unless the Board
determines that the Grantee has been offered substantially identical replacement
restricted stock and a comparable position at any acquiring
company.
5.5 Grant
of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) The
Committee may grant stock appreciation rights to such Employees, in such
amounts
and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine
in
its discretion. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in
connection with all or any part of, or independently of, any stock option
granted under the Plan. A stock appreciation right may be granted at
or after the time of grant of such option. A stock appreciation right
shall become exercisable at such time or times as determined by the
Committee.
(b) The
Grantee of a stock appreciation right shall have the right, subject to
the terms
of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, to receive from the Company
an
amount equal to (a) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over (b) the
exercise price of such right as set forth in the Award Agreement (or over
the
option exercise price if the stock appreciation right is granted in connection
with a stock option), multiplied by (c) the number of shares with respect
to
which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Payment to the
Grantee upon exercise of a stock appreciation right shall be made in cash
or in
shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise of the stock appreciation right) or both, as the Committee shall
determine in its discretion. Upon the exercise of a stock
appreciation right granted in connection with a stock option, the number
of
shares subject to the option shall be correspondingly reduced by the number
of
shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is
exercised. Upon the exercise of a stock option in connection with
which a stock appreciation right has been granted, the number of shares
subject
to the stock appreciation right shall be correspondingly reduced by the
number
of shares with respect to which the option is exercised.
5.6 Grant
of Restricted Stock Units.
(a) The
Committee may grant Awards of restricted stock units to such Employees,
in such
amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
determine in its discretion, subject to the provisions of the
Plan. Restricted stock units may be awarded independently of or in
connection with any other Award under the Plan.
(b) At
the
time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the
restricted stock units shall become vested, and may specify such conditions
to
vesting as it deems appropriate. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, in the event of the Grantee’s Termination of Employment for any
reason, restricted stock units that have not vested shall be forfeited
and
canceled. The Committee at any time may accelerate vesting dates and
otherwise waive or amend any conditions of an Award of restricted stock
units.
(c) At
the
time of grant, the Committee shall specify the maturity date applicable
to each
grant of restricted stock units, which may be determined at the election
of the
Grantee. Such date may be later than the vesting date or dates of the
Award. On the maturity date, the Company shall transfer to the
Grantee one unrestricted, fully transferable share of Common Stock for
each
vested restricted stock unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and
as to
which all other conditions to the transfer have been fully
satisfied. The Committee shall specify the purchase price, if any, to
be paid by the Grantee to the Company for such shares of Common
Stock.
5.7 Grant
of Performance Shares and Share Units. The Committee may grant
performance shares in the form of actual shares of Common Stock or share
units
having a value equal to an identical number of shares of Common Stock to
such
Employees, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions as
the
Committee shall determine in its discretion,
subject
to the provisions of the Plan. In the event that a stock certificate
is issued in respect of performance shares, such certificates shall be
registered in the name of the Grantee but shall be held by the Company
until the
time the performance shares are earned. The performance conditions
and the length of the performance period shall be determined by the
Committee. The Committee shall determine in its sole discretion
whether performance shares granted in the form of share units shall be
paid in
cash, Common Stock, or a combination of cash and Common Stock.
5.8 Other
Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant other types of
stock-based Awards to such Employees, in such amounts and subject to such
terms
and conditions, as the Committee shall in its discretion determine, subject
to
the provisions of the Plan. Such Awards may entail the transfer of
actual shares of Common Stock, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts
based
on the value of shares of Common Stock.
5.9 Grant
of Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Committee may in its
discretion include in the Award Agreement with respect to any Award a dividend
equivalent right entitling the Grantee to receive amounts equal to the
ordinary
dividends that would be paid, during the time such Award is outstanding
and
unexercised, on the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award if such
shares
were then outstanding. In the event such a provision is included in
an Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine whether such payments
shall be
made in cash, in shares of Common Stock or in another form, whether they
shall
be conditioned upon the exercise of the Award to which they relate, the
time or
times at which they shall be made, and such other terms and conditions
as the
Committee shall deem appropriate.
ARTICLE
VI
TERMINATION
AND DEATH
6.1 Termination
Other Than by Death or for Cause. If a Grantee’s position as an
Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary terminates for any reason other
than
death or for Cause (as defined in Section 6.2) he may, unless the applicable
Option Agreement provides otherwise, exercise an Option previously granted
and
vested within three months after the date of such termination, but in no
event
later than the date on which the Option would have expired in accordance
with
its terms. To the extent the Option is not so exercised, it shall
expire at the end of such three-month period.
6.2 Termination
for Cause. If a Grantee’s position as an Employee of the Company
or a Subsidiary is terminated for Cause, any Option theretofore granted
to him
shall expire and cease to be exercisable on the date notice of such termination
is delivered to the Grantee. “Cause” shall mean (a) the willful and
continued failure by a Grantee to substantially perform his duties with
the
Company (other than any such failure resulting from his incapacity due
to
physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance
is delivered to the Grantee by the Board, which demand specifically identifies
the manner in which the Board believes that the Grantee has not substantially
performed his duties, or (b) the willful engaging by the Grantee in conduct
which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily
or
otherwise. For purposes of this Section 6.2, no act, or failure to
act, shall be
deemed
“willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, not in good faith and without
reasonable belief that such action or omission was in the best interest
of the
Company.
6.3 Death. If
a Grantee dies (i) while he is an Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary
or
(ii) during the three-month period after the termination of his position
as an
Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, and at the time of his death the
Grantee was entitled to exercise an Option theretofore granted to him,
such
Option shall, unless the applicable Option Agreement provides otherwise,
expire
one year after the date of his death, but in no event later than the date
on
which the Option would have expired if the Grantee had lived. During
such one-year period the Option may be exercised by the Grantee’s executor or
administrator or by any person or persons who shall have acquired the Option
directly from the Grantee by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent
that
the Grantee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of his death
and, to
the extent the Option is not so exercised, it shall expire at the end of
such
one-year period.
6.4 Applicability
to Other Awards. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
if the Committee determines in its discretion that a Grantee’s Termination of
Employment is for Cause, then the Committee shall also have the power to
determine in its discretion that any outstanding stock options and stock
appreciation rights or other Awards, whether or not exercisable at the
time of
such termination, shall be terminated as of the date of such termination
and
shall be of no further force and effect. The Committee shall also
have the power to determine in its discretion the applicability of the
principles in this Article VI to Awards other than stock
options.
ARTICLE
VII
ADMINISTRATION
OF PLAN
7.1 Administration. The
Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors or such other committee as may be appointed by the Board of Directors
of the Company, which Committee shall consist of not less than two members,
all
of whom are members of the Board of Directors. A majority of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum thereof and the actions of a majority
of the
Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or actions unanimously
approved in writing by all members of the Committee, shall be the actions
of the
Committee. Vacancies occurring on the Committee shall be filled by the
Board. The Committee shall have full and final authority (i) to
interpret the Plan and each of the Option Agreements and other Award Agreements,
(ii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations, if any, relating
to
the Plan, (iii) to make all determinations necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan and (iv) to correct any defect, supply any omission
and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan and any Option Agreement or
any
other Award Agreement. The Committee’s determination in all matters
referred to herein shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes and
upon all
persons including, but without limitation, the Company, the shareholders
of the
Company, the Committee, and each of the members thereof, Employees and
their
respective successors in interest.
7.2 Liability. No
member of the Committee shall be liable for anything done or omitted to
be done
by him or by any other member of the Committee in connection with
the
Plan,
except for his own willful misconduct or gross negligence. The
Committee shall have power to engage outside consultants, auditors or other
professional help to assist in the fulfillment of the Committee’s duties under
the Plan at the Company’s expense.
7.3 Determinations. In
making its determinations concerning the key Employees who shall receive
Options
or other Awards as well as the number of shares to be covered by such Options
or
other Awards and the time or times at which they shall be granted, the
Committee
shall take into account the nature of the services rendered by such key
Employees, their past, present and potential contribution to the Company’s
success and such other factors as the Committee may deem
relevant. The Committee shall determine the form of Option Agreements
and Award Agreement under the Plan and the terms and conditions to be included
therein, provided such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with the
terms
of the Plan. The Committee may waive any provisions of any Option
Agreement or any other Award Agreement, provided such waiver is not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan as then in effect. The Committee’s
determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it
selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, Options
or
other Awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are similarly
situated.
ARTICLE
VIII
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
8.1 Amendment
of Plan.
(a) Generally. The
Board of Directors may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.
Rights
and obligations under any Option or other Award granted before amendment
of the
Plan shall not be materially altered, or impaired adversely, by such amendment,
except with consent of the Grantee (or, after the Grantee’s death, the person
having the right to exercise or receive payment of the Award). For
purposes of the Plan, any action of the Board or the Committee that alters
or
affects the tax treatment of any Award shall not be considered to materially
impair any rights of any Grantee. An amendment of the Plan shall be
subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent
required by applicable laws (including Section 422 of the Code), regulations
or
rules (including applicable rules of any stock exchange or of
Nasdaq).
(b) Amendments
Relating to Incentive Stock Options. To the extent applicable,
the Plan is intended to permit the issuance of Incentive Stock Options
to
Employees in accordance with the provisions of Section 422 of the
Code. Subject to paragraph 8.1(a) above, the Plan, Option Agreements
and other Award Agreements may be modified or amended at any time, both
prospectively and retroactively, and in a manner that may affect Incentive
Stock
Options previously granted, if such amendment or modification is necessary
for
the Plan and Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder to qualify under
said
provisions of the Code.
8.2 Termination. The
Board may at any time terminate the Plan as of any date specified in a
resolution adopted by the Board. If not earlier terminated, the Plan
shall terminate on February 14, 2017 (but in any event not later than the
day
before the 10th
anniversary of
Board
approval of the Plan). No Options or other Awards may be granted
after the Plan has terminated, but the Committee shall continue to supervise
the
administration of Options or other Awards previously granted.
ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
9.1 Restrictions
upon Grant of Awards. If the listing upon any stock exchange or
Nasdaq or the registration or qualification under any federal or state
law of
any shares of Common Stock to be issued on the exercise of Awards granted
under
this Plan (whether to permit the grant of Awards or the resale or other
disposition of any such shares of Common Stock by or on behalf of Grantees
receiving such shares) should be or become necessary or desirable, the
Board in
its sole discretion may determine that delivery of the certificates for
such
shares of Common Stock shall not be made until such listing, registration
or
qualification shall have been completed. The Company agrees that it
will use its best efforts to effect any such listing, registration or
qualification, provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to use
its best efforts to effect such registration under the Securities Act of
1933
other than on Form S-8 or such other forms as may be in effect from time
to time
calling for information comparable to that presently required to be furnished
under Form S-8.
9.2 Restrictions
upon Resale of Unregistered Stock. Each Grantee shall, if the
Company deems it advisable, represent and agree in writing (i) that any
shares
of Common Stock acquired by such Grantee pursuant to this Plan will not
be sold
except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act
of 1933 or pursuant to an exemption from registration under said Act, (ii)
that
such Grantee is acquiring such shares of Common Stock for his own account
and
not with a view to the distribution thereof, and (iii) to such other customary
matters as the Company may request. In such case, no shares of Common
Stock shall be issued to such Grantee unless such Grantee provides such
representations and agreements and the Company is reasonably satisfied
that such
representations and agreements are correct.
9.3 Adjustments.
(a) General. In
the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, a declaration
of a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, a declaration of a dividend
payable
in a form other than shares in an amount that has a material effect on
the value
of shares of Common Stock, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding
Common Stock into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, a recapitalization,
a reclassification or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make appropriate
adjustments in one or more of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock
available
for future grants of Options or other Awards under Section 3.2, (ii) the
number
of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option or other Award,
or
(iii) the exercise price of each outstanding Option or other Award.
(b) Reorganizations. In
the event that the Company is a party to a merger or reorganization, outstanding
Options and other Awards shall be subject to the agreement of merger or
reorganization.
(c) Reservation
of Rights. Except as provided in this Section 9.3, a Grantee
shall have no rights by reason of (i) any subdivision or consolidation
of shares
of stock of any class, (ii) the payment of any dividend, or (iii) any other
increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any
class. Any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect,
and
no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number
or
exercise price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or other
Award. The grant of any Option or other Award pursuant to the Plan
shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make
adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital
or
business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate,
sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
9.4 Withholding
of Taxes; Tax Elections.
(a) Each
Grantee who exercises a Nonstatutory Stock Option and each Grantee who
holds
Restricted Stock or other Award that has vested shall agree that no later
than
the date of exercise or receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such
Option and no later than the date such Restricted Stock or other Award
vests (in
whole or in part) he will pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory
to the Committee regarding payment of, any Federal, state or local taxes
of any
kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the transfer to him
or
vesting in him of such shares of Common Stock.
(b) The
applicable Option Agreement or other Award Agreement may provide that a
Grantee
may satisfy, in whole or in part, the requirements of paragraph
(a):
(i) by
delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Grantee for at least six
months
(or such shorter or longer period as the Committee may approve) having
a Fair
Market Value (determined as of the date of such delivery) equal to all
or part
of the amount to be so withheld, or
(ii) by
electing to have the Company withhold the requisite number of shares from
shares
otherwise deliverable pursuant to the exercise of the Option or vesting
of
Restricted Stock or other Award giving rise to the tax withholding obligation
provided, however, that
(A) the
Grantee’s election and the withholding pursuant thereto take effect during the
period beginning on the third business day following the date of release
for
publication of the quarterly and annual summary statements of the Company’s
sales and earnings and ending on the twelfth business day following such
date,
and six months have elapsed since the date the Option or Restricted Stock
or
other Award was granted, or
(B) such
election was irrevocably made by the Grantee and filed with the Committee
in
writing at least six months in advance of the date on which such withholding
occurs. The Committee may require, as a condition of accepting any
such delivery of Common Stock or any such
election
by the Grantee, that the Grantee furnish to the Company an opinion of counsel
to
the effect that such delivery or election will not result in the Grantee
incurring any liability under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934, as amended.
(c) If
the
Grantee, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under
the
Plan, is permitted under the terms of his Option Agreement or other Award
Agreement to make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code
(i.e.,
an election to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts
specified in Section 83(b) of the Code notwithstanding the continuing transfer
restrictions) and if the Grantee makes such election, the Grantee shall
submit
to the Company a copy of the notice filed by the Grantee with the Internal
Revenue Service within ten (10) days of filing such notice, and shall pay,
or
make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any
federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld
as a
result of such election, all in accordance with the provisions of clauses
(a)
and (b) of this section 9.4.
(d) If
any
Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant
to
the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described
in
Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions),
such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten (10)
days
thereof.
9.5 Use
of
Proceeds. The proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to
Options or other Awards granted under the Plan shall constitute general
funds of
the Company and may be used for such corporate purposes as the Company
may
determine.
9.6 Substitution
of Options. Options may be granted under this Plan in
substitution for options held by individuals who are employees of another
corporation and who become Employees of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the
Company eligible to receive Options pursuant to the Plan as a result of
a
merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event. The terms and
conditions of any Options so granted may vary from those set forth in the
Plan
to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee in order to conform the
provisions of Options granted pursuant to the Plan to the provisions of
the
options in substitution for which they are granted.
9.7 Notices. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be sufficiently given only
if sent
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to the Company at its principal place of business, and to the
Grantee
at the address on file with the Company at the time of grant hereunder,
or to
such other address as either party may hereafter designate in writing by
notice
similarly given by one party to the other.
9.8 Nature
of Payments. Any and all grants of Awards and issuances of shares
of Common Stock under the Plan shall constitute a special incentive payment
to
the Grantee and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount
of
salary or compensation of the Grantee for the purpose of determining any
benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, life insurance
or
other benefit plan of the Company or under any agreement with the Grantee,
unless such plan or agreement specifically provides otherwise.
9.9 Non-Uniform
Determinations. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan
need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who
receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards (whether or not such persons
are
similarly situated). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among other things, to make
non-uniform and selective determinations, and to enter into non-uniform
and
selective Award Agreements, as to the persons to receive Awards under the
Plan,
and the terms and provisions of Awards under the Plan.
9.10 Waiver
of Claims. Prior to being selected by the Committee to receive an
Award, an Employee has no right to any benefits hereunder. In
consideration of a Grantee’s receipt of any Award hereunder, the Committee may
require, in its sole discretion, that each such Grantee expressly waive
any
right to contest the amount of any Award, the terms of any Award Agreement,
any
determination, action or omission hereunder or under any Award Agreement
by the
Committee, the Company or the Board, or any amendment to the Plan or any
Award
Agreement (other than an amendment to this Plan or an Award Agreement to
which
his or her consent is expressly required by the express terms of the Plan
or an
Award Agreement).
9.11 Governing
Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken
hereunder, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws
of the
United States of America, shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California and construed accordingly.
PROXY
j2
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SPECIAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – OCTOBER 25, 2007
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned stockholder(s) of j2
Global Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledge(s)
receipt of the Proxy Statement dated September__, 2007, and hereby appoint(s)
Nehemia Zucker, R. Scott Turicchi, and Jeffrey D. Adelman, and each of them,
proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on
behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at
the
Special Meeting of Stockholders of j2 Global Communications, Inc., to be held
October 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel,
7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028, and at any continuation
or adjournment thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present,
on
all matters set forth below.
THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED,
WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE APPROVAL OF ALL PROPOSALS SET OUT BELOW, INCLUDING FOR THE
APPROVAL OF j2 GLOBAL’S 2007 STOCK PLAN AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON
SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY CONTINUATION
OR ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
(CONTINUED
AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL PROPOSALS BELOW
[X]
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE.
|
To
approve j2 Global's 2007 Stock
Plan.
|
[_]
FOR [_]
WITHHELD
[_] ABSTAIN
2.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any postponements or adjournments
thereof.
|
[_]
FOR [_]
WITHHELD
[_] ABSTAIN
[_]
Mark
here for address change and note in the space provided.
|
Signature(s):_______________________
Date:_____________
Note:
This proxy should be marked, dated and signed by the stockholder(s)
exactly as his or her name appears hereon and returned promptly in
the
enclosed envelope. Persons in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate.
If
shares are held by joint tenants or as community property, each person
should sign.
|
Please
date, sign and mail your proxy card back as soon as possible.