Exhibit 10.17

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated
as of November 1, 2013, is entered into by and between Demand Media, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Julie Campistron (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company previously entered into that certain
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of April 1, 2013, and as
amended on August 1, 2013 (collectively, the “Prior Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company agree that the Prior Agreement is amended
and restated in its entirety as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination
hereinafter provided, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall be for a term
(the “Employment Period”) commencing on April 1, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) and
ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date. The Executive’s
employment hereunder is terminable at will by the Company or by the Executive at
any time (for any reason or for no reason), subject to the provisions of
Section 4 hereof. This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date.

2. Terms of Employment.

(a) Position and Duties.

(i) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as Executive Vice
President, Studio Operations, and shall perform such duties as are usual and
customary for such position. At the Company’s request, the Executive shall serve
the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in other capacities in
addition to the foregoing. In the event that the Executive, during the
Employment Period, serves in any one or more of such additional capacities, the
Executive’s compensation shall not be increased beyond that specified in
Section 2(b) hereof. In addition, in the event the Executive’s service in one or
more of such additional capacities is terminated, the Executive’s compensation,
as specified in Section 2(b) hereof, shall not be diminished or reduced in any
manner as a result of such termination provided that the Executive otherwise
remains employed under the terms of this Agreement. This position currently
reports to the Chief Executive Officer, or Interim Chief Executive Officer, as
the case may be.

(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and
sick leave to which the Executive may be entitled, the Executive agrees to
devote the Executive’s full business time and attention to the business and
affairs of the Company.

(iii) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall perform the services
required by this Agreement at the Company’s principal offices located in Santa
Monica, California (the “Principal Location”), except for travel to other
locations as may be necessary to fulfill the Executive’s duties and
responsibilities hereunder.

(b) Compensation, Benefits, Etc.

(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive a
base salary equal to $250,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary
shall be paid in installments in accordance with the Company’s applicable
payroll practices, as in effect from time to time, but no less often than
monthly.

(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be
eligible to earn, for each fiscal year of the Company ending during the
Employment Period, a discretionary cash performance bonus (an “Annual Bonus”)
under the Company’s bonus plan or program applicable to senior executives. The
Executive’s target Annual Bonus (the “Target Bonus”) shall be set at fifty
percent (50%) of the Base Salary actually paid for such year; provided, however,
that with respect to fiscal year 2013, the Executive’s Target Bonus shall be set
at the sum of (A) thirty percent (30%) of the Executive’s then-current base
salary paid in fiscal year 2013 for the time period covering January 1, 2013
through March 31, 2013; plus (B) forty percent (40%) of the Executive’s
then-current base salary paid in fiscal year 2013 for the time period from
April 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013; plus (C) fifty percent (50%) of the
Executive’s Base Salary for the time period from the Effective Date through
December 31, 2013, provided Executive is still an employee of the Company during
that time period. The actual amount of any Annual Bonus shall be determined on
the basis of the attainment of Company performance metrics applicable to senior
executives and/or individual performance objectives, in each case, as
established and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”)
or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) (or
their designee) in its sole discretion. Payment of any Annual Bonus(es), to the
extent any Annual Bonus(es) become payable, will be contingent upon the
Executive’s continued employment through the applicable payment date, which
shall occur on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally to the
Company’s senior executives.

 

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(iii) Restricted Stock Unit Award. The Company’s Compensation Committee
previously approved the grant by the Company to the Executive of a restricted
stock unit award covering 30,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the
“April RSU”), under the Company’s 2010 Incentive Award Plan, as amended (the
“Plan”). Subject to Section 4(c) hereof and the Executive’s continued employment
with the Company through the applicable vesting date, 1/16th of the April
RSUsvested on August 15, 2013, with an additional 1/16th of the RSUs scheduled
tovest on each three (3)-month anniversary thereof. The terms and conditions of
the April RSU were set forth in a separate award agreement in a form prescribed
by the Company (the “April RSU Agreement”), entered into by the Company and the
Executive, which evidenced the grant of the April RSU. In addition to the
foregoing grant of the April RSU, the Company’s Compensation Committee also
previously approved the grant by the Company to the Executive of an RSU award
covering 15,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “August RSU”) under
the Plan. Subject to Section 4(c) hereof and the Executive’s continued
employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date, 1/16th of the
August RSU vested on August 15, 2013, with an additional 1/16th of the RSUs
scheduled to vest on each three (3)-month anniversary thereof. The terms and
conditions of the August RSU were set forth in a separate award agreement in a
form prescribed by the Company (the “August RSU Agreement”), entered into by the
Company and the Executive, which evidenced the grant of the August RSU.

In addition to the foregoing grants, the Company’s Compensation Committee shall
approve the grant by the Company to the Executive of an RSU award covering
25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “November RSU”). The November
RSU shall be granted to Executive under the Plan. Subject to Section 4(c) hereof
and the Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable
vesting date, ten thousand (10,000) RSUs shall vest on the earlier of (a) the
three-month anniversary of the date of the Permanent CEO Appointment (as defined
below), or (b) May 15, 2014. The remaining fifteen thousand (15,000) RSUs shall
vest on November 15, 2014. The terms and conditions of the November RSU shall be
set forth in a separate award agreement prescribed by the Company (the “November
RSU Agreement”).

The April RSU, the August RSU and the November RSU are collectively referred to
as the “RSUs” and the April RSU Agreement, the August RSU Agreement and the
November RSU Agreement are collectively referred to as the “RSU Agreements.”

(iv) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be eligible to participate in all other incentive plans,
practices, policies and programs, and all savings and retirement plans,
practices, policies and programs, in each case that are available generally to
senior executives of the Company.

(v) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Executive’s dependents shall be eligible to participate in the welfare benefit
plans, practices, policies and programs (including, as applicable, medical,
dental, disability, employee life, group life and accidental death insurance
plans and programs) maintained by the Company for its senior executives.

(vi) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the
Company provided to senior executives of the Company.

(vii) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to such fringe benefits and perquisites as are provided by the Company
to its senior executives from time to time, in accordance with the policies,
practices and procedures of the Company, and shall receive such additional
fringe benefits and perquisites as the Company may, in its discretion, from
time-to-time provide. Nothing contained in Sections 2(b)(iv)-(v) hereof or this
Section 2(b)(vii) shall, or shall be construed to, obligate the Company to adopt
or maintain any incentive, savings, retirement, welfare, fringe benefit or other
plan(s) or program(s) at any time.

(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall not be
entitled to a fixed number of paid vacation, personal or sick days per year. As
a salaried employee, the Company expects the Executive to use the Executive’s
judgment to take time off from work for vacation or other personal time in a
manner consistent with getting the Executive’s work done in a timely fashion,
providing excellent service to the Company’s customers and partners and avoiding
inconveniencing the Executive’s co-workers. To the extent the Executive has an
existing balance of accrued, unused vacation as of the Effective Date, that time
will be applied to the Executive’s absences until it is exhausted.

3. Termination of Employment.

(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. Either
the Company or the Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment in the
event of the Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period. For purposes
of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean a disability as determined under the
Company’s applicable long-term disability plan that prevents the Executive from
performing the Executive’s duties under this Agreement (even with a reasonable
accommodation by the Company) for a period of six (6) months or more or, if no
such plan applies, as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Company.

(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the
Employment Period for Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

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(c) Termination by the Executive. The Executive’s employment may be terminated
by the Executive for any reason, including with Good Reason in connection with a
Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) or with Good Reason in connection
with the commencement of employment of a successor permanent Chief Executive
Officer to Richard Rosenblatt (a “Permanent CEO Appointment”). For purposes of
this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of
the following events in connection with a Change in Control or a Permanent CEO
Appointment, in any case, without the Executive’s prior written consent, unless
the Company fully corrects the circumstances constituting Good Reason (provided
such circumstances are capable of correction) as provided below:

(i) a demotion or material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority,
duties or responsibilities (other than any insubstantial action not taken in bad
faith and which is promptly remedied by the Company upon notice by the
Executive); provided that “Good Reason” does not include a change in title,
authority, duties and/or responsibilities following a Change in Control if (A)
the Executive’s new title is that of a senior officer of the entity surviving
such Change in Control (or, if applicable, its parent company if such entity has
a parent company) reporting directly to an executive officer of the entity
surviving such Change in Control (or, if applicable, its parent company, if such
entity has a parent company), and the Executive’s authority, duties and
responsibilities are commensurate with such title or (B) (1) the entity
surviving such Change in Control (or, if applicable, its parent company if such
entity has a parent company) continues to operate the Company’s principal
businesses as a separate unit, division or subsidiary or combines the Company’s
principal businesses with one of its existing units, divisions or
subsidiaries and (2) the Executive’s new title is that of a senior officer of
such unit, division or subsidiary reporting directly to an executive officer of
such unit, division or subsidiary (or to an executive officer of the entity
surviving the Change in Control or parent company thereof) and (in either case)
the Executive’s authority, duties and responsibilities are commensurate with
such title and are similar in scope (with respect to such unit, division or
subsidiary) to the authority, duties and responsibilities of the Executive prior
to the Change in Control; and, provided further, that “Good Reason” specifically
includes a change in title, a change in reporting to any person other than the
Permanent CEO, or a demotion or material diminution of the Executive’s position,
authority, duties or responsibilities following a Permanent CEO Appointment
(other than any insubstantial action not taken in bad faith and which is
promptly remedied by the Company upon notice by the Executive as set forth
below);

(ii) a requirement that the Executive report to work more than twenty (20) miles
from the Company’s Principal Location (not including normal business travel
required of the Executive’s position) or, to the extent such requirement would
not constitute a material change in the geographic location at which the
Executive must perform services under this Agreement within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), such
higher number of miles from the Company’s Principal Location as would constitute
a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform
services under this Agreement within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code;

(iii) a material reduction in the Executive’s base salary; or

(iv) a material breach by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will not be deemed to have resigned
for Good Reason unless (1) the Executive provides the Company with written
notice setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed by
the Executive to constitute Good Reason within sixty (60) days after the date of
the occurrence of any event that the Executive knows or should reasonably have
known to constitute Good Reason, and, in the case of a resignation for Good
Reason in connection with a Permanent CEO Appointment, such facts and
circumstances constituting Good Reason have occurred in the six (6) month period
after the Permanent CEO Appointment, (2) the Company fails to cure such acts or
omissions within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice, and
(3) the effective date of the Executive’s termination for Good Reason occurs no
later than sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Company’s cure period.

(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination to
the other parties hereto given in accordance with Section 10(b) hereof. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination
(as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than sixty (60) days after
the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set
forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to
a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

(e) Termination of Offices and Directorships. Upon termination of the
Executive’s employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written
agreement between the Executive and the Company, the Executive shall be deemed
to have resigned from all offices, directorships, and other employment positions
if any, then held with the Company, and shall take all actions reasonably
requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing.

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4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

(a) Without Cause, For Good Reason, Death or Disability. Subject to Section 4(d)
hereof, if the Executive incurs a “separation from service” from the Company
(within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code, and Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (a “Separation from Service”) during the
Employment Period (such date, the “Date of Termination”) by reason of (1) a
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause; (2) a
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive for Good Reason; or
(3) a termination of the Executive’s employment by reason of the Executive’s
death or Disability (each of (1), (2) and (3), a “Qualifying Termination”):

(i) The Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, if applicable)
shall be paid, in a single lump-sum payment on the date of the Executive’s
termination of employment, the aggregate amount of the Executive’s earned but
unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unpaid vacation pay (if any) through the date
of such termination (the “Accrued Obligations”), in each case, to the extent not
previously paid.

(ii) In addition, subject to Section 4(d) hereof and the Executive’s (or the
Executive’s estate’s or beneficiaries’, if applicable) timely execution and
non-revocation of a Release (as described below), the Executive (or the
Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, if applicable) shall be paid:

(A) an amount equal to six (6) months’ of the Base Salary in effect on the Date
of Termination, payable in a single lump-sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day
following the Date of Termination; and

(B) any unpaid Annual Bonus to which the Executive would have become entitled
for any fiscal year of the Company that ends on or before the Date of
Termination had the Executive remained employed through the payment date,
payable in a single lump-sum payment on the date on which annual bonuses are
paid to the Company’s senior executives generally for such calendar year, but in
no event later than March 15th of the calendar year immediately following the
calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, with the actual date
within such period determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

(iii) In addition, subject to Section 4(d) hereof and conditioned upon the
Executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of a Release, during the period
commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the six (6)-month
anniversary of the Date of Termination or, if earlier, the date on which the
Executive becomes eligible for coverage under the group health plan of a
subsequent employer (of which eligibility the Executive hereby agrees to give
prompt notice to the Company) (in any case, the “COBRA Period”), subject to the
Executive’s valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B
of the Code and the regulations thereunder, the Company shall continue to
provide the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents with coverage
under its group health plans at the same levels and the same cost to the
Executive as would have applied if the Executive’s employment had not been
terminated based on the Executive’s elections in effect on the Date of
Termination, provided, however, that (A) if any plan pursuant to which such
benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of
continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the
Code under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (B) the Company is
otherwise unable to continue to cover the Executive under its group health plans
(including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act),
then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall
thereafter be paid to the Executive as currently taxable compensation in
substantially equal monthly installments over the continuation coverage period
(or the remaining portion thereof).

The payments and benefits described in the preceding Sections 4(a)(ii) and
(iii) are referred to herein as the “Severance.” Notwithstanding the foregoing,
it shall be a condition to the Executive’s (or the Executive’s estate’s or
beneficiaries’, if applicable) right to receive the Severance that the Executive
(or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, if applicable) execute and deliver
to the Company an effective release of claims in substantially the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A (the “Release”) within twenty-one (21) days (or, to the
extent required by law, forty-five (45) days) following the Date of Termination
and that the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, if
applicable) not revoke such Release during any applicable revocation period.

(b) For Cause, Without Good Reason or Other Terminations. If the Company
terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Executive terminates the
Executive’s employment without Good Reason, or the Executive’s employment
terminates for any other reason not enumerated in this Section 4, in any case,
during the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to the Executive the Accrued
Obligations in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or by
such earlier date as may be required by applicable law).

(c) Equity Vesting in Connection with a Change in Control or Permanent CEO
Appointment. In addition to any payments or benefits due to the Executive (or
the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, if applicable) under Section 4(a) above
(if any), subject to and conditioned upon the Executive’s timely execution and
non-revocation of a Release, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by
reason of a Qualifying Termination and either (i) a Change in Control (x) occurs
on or within ninety (90) days after the Date of Termination or (y) has occurred
within one (1) year before the Date of Termination, all outstanding compensatory
equity awards (including but not limited to the RSUs contemplated by
Section 2(b)(iii) hereof) that have not yet vested shall conditionally vest and,
as applicable, become exercisable on the later of the Date of Termination and
the date of such Change in Control (and such vesting shall become unconditional
upon such execution and non-revocation of a Release) or (ii) a Permanent CEO
Appointment has occurred

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and (x) the Company has terminated the Executive’s employment without Cause in
the six (6) month period after the Permanent CEO Appointment or (y) the
Executive has resigned with Good Reason and the facts and circumstances
constituting such Good Reason occurred in the six (6) month period after such
Permanent CEO Appointment, all outstanding compensatory equity awards (including
but not limited to the RSUs contemplated by Section 2(b)(iii) hereof) that have
not yet vested shall conditionally vest and, as applicable, become exercisable
on the Date of Termination with respect to such number of shares underlying each
such equity awards that would have vested over the one (1)-year period
immediately following the Date of Termination, had each such equity award
continued to vest in accordance with its terms (and such vesting shall become
unconditional upon such execution and non-revocation of a Release). For the
avoidance of doubt, if a Qualifying Termination occurs prior to a Change in
Control, all outstanding, unvested compensatory equity awards (including but not
limited to the RSUs contemplated by Section 2(b)(iii) hereof) that would
otherwise terminate on the Date of Termination shall remain outstanding and
eligible to vest solely upon a Change in Control occurring within ninety
(90) days after the Date of Termination (but shall not otherwise vest following
the Date of Termination) and shall terminate on the ninetieth (90th) day
following the Date of Termination if a Change in Control has not occurred on or
prior to such ninetieth (90th) day (or such earlier expiration date applicable
to the award (other than due to a termination of employment)).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive fails to timely execute or
revokes a Release, all conditionally vested awards (and any shares received in
respect of such awards) shall be forfeited upon such failure or revocation
(subject to repayment by the Company to the Executive of any amounts (if any)
paid by the Executive with respect to shares underlying such conditionally
vested awards.

(d) Six-Month Delay. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments
or benefits payable under Section 4 hereof, shall be paid to the Executive
during the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s “separation from
service” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) if the
Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in
this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)
of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the
previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six
(6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under
Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution,
including as a result of the Executive’s death), the Company shall pay the
Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have
otherwise been payable to the Executive during such period.

(e) Exclusive Benefits. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4 and
subject to Section 5 hereof, the Executive shall not be entitled to any
additional payments or benefits upon or in connection with the Executive’s
termination of employment.

(f) Equity Award Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in
this Agreement is intended to result in any vesting terms that are less
favorable to the Executive than those contained in any applicable equity award
agreement and, to the extent that the vesting terms contained in any such award
agreement are more favorable to the Executive than those provided herein,
including, without limitation, this Section 4, the terms of such award agreement
shall control.

5. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the
Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy,
practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by
this Agreement.

6. Excess Parachute Payments, Limitations on Payments.

(a) Best Pay Cap. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the
event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive
(including any payment or benefit received in connection with a termination of
the Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits,
including the payments and benefits under Section 4 hereof, being hereinafter
referred to as the “Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part), to
excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then,
after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason
of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the
cash severance payments under this Agreement shall first be reduced, and the
noncash severance payments hereunder shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent
necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax
but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after
subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such
reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized
deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments)
is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without
such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local
income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the
Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after
taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions
attributable to such unreduced Total Payments). The Total Payments shall be
reduced in the following order: (A) reduction of any cash severance payments
otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the
Code; (B) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to
the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any
payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to
any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; (C) reduction of
any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Executive on a pro-rata
basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, but
excluding any payments

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attributable to any acceleration of vesting and payments with respect to any
equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; and (D) reduction of
any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with
respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, in
each case beginning with payments that would otherwise be made last in time.

(b) Certain Exclusions. For purposes of determining whether and the extent to
which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of
the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have
waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within
the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account; (ii) no
portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the written
opinion of an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm (the
“Accounting Firm”), does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning
of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A)
of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total
Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of the Accounting
Firm, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within
the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount”
(as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable
compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred
payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the
Accounting Firm in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and
(4) of the Code.

7. Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation. The Executive hereby
acknowledges that the Executive has previously entered into an agreement with
the Company containing confidentiality and other protective covenants (the
“Confidentiality Agreement”) and that the Executive remains bound by the terms
and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement.

8. Representations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company
that (a) the Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the
performance of the Executive’s obligations hereunder will not violate any
agreement between the Executive and any other person, firm, organization or
other entity, and (b) the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement
with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or
indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that
would be violated by the Executive’s entering into this Agreement and/or
providing services to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

9. Successors.

(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and, without the prior written
consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives.

(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company
and its successors and assigns.

(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

10. Miscellaneous.

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Executive: at the Executive’s most recent address on the records of
the Company.

If to the Company:

Demand Media, Inc.

1655 26th Street

Santa Monica, CA 90404

Attn: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

355 South Grand Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90071-1560

Attn: Alex Voxman

6

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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

(c) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
if the Company determines, in its good faith judgment, that any transfer or
deemed transfer of funds hereunder is likely to be construed as a personal loan
prohibited by Section 13(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, then
such transfer or deemed transfer shall not be made to the extent necessary or
appropriate so as not to violate the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

(d) Section 409A of the Code.

(i) To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance
with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other
interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, if the Company determines that any compensation or
benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A of the Code
and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company shall work in good
faith with the Executive to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt
other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures
with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines
are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A
of the Code, including without limitation, actions intended to (i) exempt the
compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A of the
Code, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and
related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this
Section 10(d) shall not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt
any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action, nor shall
the Company have any liability for failing to do so.

(ii) Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is
to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. To the extent
permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any separate payment or benefit under
this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred
compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and Section 4(d) hereof to the
extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4),
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of
Section 409A of the Code.

(iii) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the
Executive under this Agreement, including, without limitation, pursuant to
Section 2(b)(vi) hereof, are deemed to constitute compensation to the Executive
to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such
amounts shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably promptly, but not later than
December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred.
The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not
affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement
in any other taxable year, and the Executive’s right to such payments or
reimbursement of any such expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or
exchange for any other benefit.

(e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

(f) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

(g) No Waiver. The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such
provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

(h) Entire Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement, together with
the Confidentiality Agreement, the RSU Agreements, and any prior equity award
agreements constitutes the final, complete and exclusive agreement between the
Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and replaces
and supersedes any and all other agreements, offers or promises, whether oral or
written, by any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or
representative thereof. The Executive agrees that the Prior Agreement shall be
terminated and of no further force or effect from and after the Effective Date.
In the event that the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated
prior to the Effective Date, this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
immediately preceding sentence) shall have no force or effect.

(i) Amendment. No amendment or other modification of this Agreement shall be
effective unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(j) Counterparts. This Agreement and any agreement referenced herein may be
executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original but which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused these
presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year
first above written.

 

DEMAND MEDIA, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Shawn Colo

 

 

Name: 

 

Shawn Colo

 

 

Title:

 

Interim Chief Executive Officer

 

“EXECUTIVE”

 

/s/ Julie Campistron

Julie Campistron

 

 

 

8

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EXHIBIT A

GENERAL RELEASE

For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge the
“Releasees” hereunder, consisting of Demand Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”) and each of its partners, subsidiaries, associates, affiliates,
successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees,
representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or
in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action
or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens,
contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, losses,
costs, attorneys’ fees or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown,
fixed or contingent (hereinafter called “Claims”), which the undersigned now has
or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any
matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date
hereof. The Claims released herein include, without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, any Claims in any way arising out of, based upon, or related to
the employment or termination of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees,
or any of them; any alleged breach of any express or implied contract of
employment; any alleged torts or other alleged legal restrictions on Releasees’
right to terminate the employment of the undersigned; and any alleged violation
of any federal, state or local statute or ordinance including, without
limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination In
Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this general release
(the “Release”) shall not operate to release any rights or claims of the
undersigned (i) to payments or benefits under Section 4(a) of that certain
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2013
between Demand Media, Inc. and the undersigned (the “Employment Agreement”),
whichever is applicable to the payments and benefits provided in exchange for
this Release, (ii) to payments or benefits under any equity award agreement
between the undersigned and the Company, (iii) with respect to Section 2(b)(vi)
of the Employment Agreement, (iv) to accrued or vested benefits the undersigned
may have, if any, as of the date hereof under any applicable plan, policy,
practice, program, contract or agreement with the Company, (v) to any Claims,
including claims for indemnification and/or advancement of expenses, arising
under any indemnification agreement between the undersigned and the Company or
under the bylaws, certificate of incorporation of other similar governing
document of the Company, or (vi) to any Claims which cannot be waived by an
employee under applicable law.

THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL
COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION
1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR
SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH
IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH
THE DEBTOR.”

THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHTS THE EXECUTIVE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR
COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990, THE
UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:

(A) THE EXECUTIVE HAS THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS
RELEASE;

(B) THE EXECUTIVE HAS TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE
SIGNING IT; AND

(C) THE EXECUTIVE HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS
RELEASE, AND THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THAT
REVOCATION PERIOD.

The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or
other transfer of any interest in any Claim which the Executive may have against
Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold
Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands,
damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred by Releasees, or any of
them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims
under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that
this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by
the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.

The undersigned agrees that if the Executive hereafter commences any suit
arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder
or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims
released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of
them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all
attorneys’ fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to
said suit or Claim.

A-1

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The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the payment of any
sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed
as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them,
who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever
to the undersigned.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this          day
of             ,         .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie Campistron

 

A-2