Exhibit 10.1


 





EXECUTION VERSION




 


 





EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of February
27, 2018, by and between Sequential Brands Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Peter Lops
(the “Executive”).


 


WITNESSETH


 


WHEREAS, the Executive possesses experience
and expertise concerning the type of business and operations to be conducted by the Company; and


 


WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the
Executive as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and the Executive desires to be so employed by the Company, in each case,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.


 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:


 


1.
Engagement of Executive; Duties. During the Term (as hereinafter defined in Section 3 below), the Executive shall
have the title of Chief Financial Officer of the Company, reporting to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The Executive
will have such responsibilities, duties, and authority customarily associated with the position of Chief Financial Officer, including,
but not limited to assisting the Chief Executive Officer and Company leadership team on all strategic and tactical matters as they
relate to budget management, cost benefit analysis, public accounting and reporting, forecasting needs, securing new funding, and
investor relations; managing the finance team of the Company and third parties to which accounting, reporting, or finance functions
have been outsourced, implementing operational best practices, personally overseeing, reviewing, and approving all public filings;
reporting financial results to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”); understanding and mitigating
key elements of the Company’s risk profile; maintaining banking relationships; and representing the Company with investors.
In connection with his employment by the Company, the Executive shall be based in New York City.


 


2.
Time. The Executive will devote substantially all of his working hours to his duties hereunder and towards the
overall success of the business of the Company, provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to restrict the Executive
from engaging in charitable, religious, civic or community activities, or from serving on the boards of directors of non-profit
organizations and, with the consent of the Board (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), other
for-profit companies which do not compete with the Company, provided that such activities do not materially interfere with Executive’s
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. The Company hereby agrees that the Executive shall be permitted to serve on the
board of directors of Limelight Networks.


 


3.
Term. The Executive’s engagement shall commence no later than March 5, 2018 (the “Effective Date”)
and shall continue through the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”) unless otherwise terminated
as provided herein. In the event that the Executive remains an employee of the Company following expiration of the Term and this
Agreement is not extended, he shall be an employee “at will” and shall not be (i) at any time during or following such
“at will” employment, entitled to any of the benefits under this Agreement, or (ii) at any time following such “at
will employment”, subject to any of the restrictions (other than the undertakings contained in Section 6 and the provisions
of Section 10, in each case, which shall survive any termination or non-renewal of this Agreement), contained in this Agreement
(including, but not limited to, the non-solicitation provisions contained in Section 7). If the Company does not intend
to continue Executive’s employment following the expiration of the Term, it shall notify Executive, in writing, by no later
than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Term.


 






     


     


    

 


4.
Compensation.


 


(a) Base
Salary. During the Term, Executive’s base salary will be at a rate of not less than $425,000 per annum for the first
year of the Term and $450,000 for each of the second and third years of the Term (the “Base Salary”). Such Base
Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices and policies then in effect. The Company agrees to
engage in a review of Executive’s Base Salary on each annual anniversary of the Effective Date.


 


(b) Bonus.
During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive an annual bonus for each fiscal year (the “Annual Bonus”).
For fiscal 2018, the Annual Bonus shall be based upon the adjusted EBITDA target set forth in the Board-approved budget for the
year. The target Annual Bonus amount shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of the Base Salary, and shall be prorated for partial
years of employment. For fiscal 2018, the Annual Bonus shall be paid to the extent the adjusted EBITDA target for the year is attained
as follows: (i) if performance for fiscal 2018 is 80% or more but less than 90% of the adjusted EBITDA target for that year, 50%
on the target Annual Bonus will be paid, (ii) if performance for fiscal 2018 is 90% or more but less than 100% of the adjusted
EBITDA target for that year, 75% of the target Annual Bonus will be paid, and (iii) if performance for fiscal 2018 is 100% or more
of the adjusted EBITDA target for that year, the full target Annual Bonus will be paid. In the event of a sale or other disposition
of assets during fiscal 2018, the adjusted EBITDA target shall be reduced by the amount of EBITDA included in the budget for that
year that was attributable to those assets. Commencing with fiscal 2019, the Annual Bonus shall be determined in accordance with
the annual bonus plan adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board, and Executive shall be subject to the same performance
goals as other senior executives under such plan and participate in such plan on the same basis as other senior executives, provided
that the Executive’s target Annual Bonus amount under such plan shall be no less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Base
Salary. Annual Bonuses, if applicable, shall be due and payable by the Company to the Executive annually, payable in the year following
the year for which such Annual Bonus was earned on the earlier of the date the Company files its Form 10-K or April 1st of such
year.


 


(c) Equity
Awards. Upon or promptly following the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted 75,000 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”)
with respect to the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Equity
Plan”) and an award agreement between the Executive and the Company (the “Award Agreement”). For the
avoidance of doubt, in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Award Agreement, this Agreement
shall govern. Except as otherwise provided therein, 25,000 of the RSUs shall vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries
of the Effective Date and shall accelerate in full upon a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Equity Plan). In addition,
no later than promptly following the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted 200,000 performance stock units (“PSUs”)
with respect to the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Equity Plan and an award agreement between the Executive and the
Company, of which 100,000 PSUs shall be eligible to vest within 60 days following the end of each of the 2018 and 2019 calendar
years, subject to the terms of the award agreement and the Equity Plan. In addition, upon a “Change in Control” any
unvested PSUs shall accelerate in full.


  


(d) Benefits.
Executive shall receive the employee and fringe benefits generally made available to other executive officers of the Company from
time to time, including a “401(k)” plan, health, vision, dental and disability coverage. Executive shall also be added
as an insured under the Company’s officers and directors insurance and all other polices which pertain to officers of the
Company. During any waiting period under the Company’s group health plan following the commencement of the Term, the Company
shall reimburse Executive for the cost of “COBRA” group health coverage if he elects such coverage under his prior
employer’s plan.


 


(e) Reimbursement
of Expenses. The Company shall pay to Executive the reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder,
including, without limitation, business class travel, expenses related to cell phones, laptop computers and such other expenses
incurred in connection with business related travel or entertainment in accordance with the Company’s policy, or, if such
expenses are paid directly by the Executive, the Company shall promptly reimburse the Executive for such payments in accordance
with the Company’s policy, provided that the Executive properly accounts for such expenses in accordance with the Company’s
policy. In addition, the Executive shall receive an automobile allowance of $1,500 per month during the Term and a Company-provided
parking space at the Company’s headquarters, and for any period of at-will employment after the expiration of the Term.


 


(f) Vacation.
Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation per year. The Executive shall use his vacation in the calendar year
in which it is accrued.


 






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5.
Termination of Employment.


 


(a) General.
The Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration of the Term without any breach
of this Agreement only on the following circumstances:


 


(b) Death.
The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate upon his death.


 


(c) Disability.
If the Executive suffers a Disability (as defined below in this sub-section (2)), the Company may terminate the Executive’s
employment under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days prior written notice; provided that the Executive has not returned to full
time performance of his duties during such thirty (30) day period. For purposes hereof, “Disability” shall mean the
Executive’s inability to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder, with reasonable accommodation, due to any physical
or mental illness or incapacity, which condition either (i) has continued for a period of 180 days (including weekends and holidays)
in any consecutive 365-day period, or (ii) is projected by the Board in good faith after consulting with a doctor selected by the
Company and consented to by the Executive (or, in the event of the Executive’s incapacity, his legal representative), such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld, that the condition is likely to continue for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive
months from its commencement.


  


(d) Good
Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment under this Agreement for Good Reason after the occurrence of any of the
Good Reason events set forth in the following sentence. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the
occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive’s prior written consent:


 


(i)
the failure by the Company to timely comply with its material obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement;


 


(ii)
a material diminution of the authorities, duties or responsibilities of the Executive set forth in Section 1 above (other
than temporarily while the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated and unable to properly perform such duties, as determined
by the Board in good faith) or the assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with his position as Chief Financial
Officer.


 


(iii)
the loss of the title of Chief Financial Officer; or


 


(iv)
the involuntary re-location of the Executive to an office outside of New York City;


 


(v) upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Equity
Plan).


provided, however, that, within ninety (90) days
of any such events having occurred, the Executive shall have provided the Company with written notice that such events have occurred
and afforded the Company thirty (30) days to cure and if the Company does not cure to Executive’s reasonable satisfaction
then Executive terminates his employment within one hundred twenty (120) days following the expiration of such cure period. For
purposes of this Agreement, upon any reduction or diminution in authorities, duties, responsibilities, etc. the basis for determining
whether such reduction or diminution was material shall be deemed to be the greatest authorities, duties, responsibilities held
by Executive and not the authorities, duties, responsibilities held by Executive immediately prior to the most recent diminution
or reduction (e.g., if the Company were to reduce Executive’s duties and then at a subsequent time were to reduce his duties
further, for purposes of determining whether the second event constitutes a Good Reason event, his duties would be compared to
those he held prior to the initial reduction).


 


(e) Without
Good Reason. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment under this Agreement without Good Reason upon written notice
by the Executive to the Company at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such termination (which termination the
Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than the date set forth in the Notice of Termination (as hereinafter
defined in sub-section (h) below)).


 






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(f) Cause.
The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for Cause. Termination for “Cause”
shall mean termination of the Executive’s employment because of the occurrence of any of the following as determined by the
Board:


 


(i)
any gross negligence or the willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his material obligations
under this Agreement (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to a Disability);


 


(ii)
the indictment of the Executive for, or his conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony;


 


(iii)
the Executive’s willfully engaging in misconduct (which shall include theft, fraud, or embezzlement) in the performance
of his material duties for the Company or violating any statutory or common law duty of loyalty to the Company;


 


(iv)
the Executive’s trading of securities or willful disclosure of non-public information in each case constituting a
violation of insider trading laws which is injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise;


 


(v)
any chemical dependence of the Executive which materially and adversely affects the performance of his duties and responsibilities
to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the taking of prescribed prescription medication
shall not constitute a chemical dependence of the Executive hereunder; or


 


(vi)
a material breach by the Executive of this Agreement.


 


provided, however, that in each case (other than
(ii), (iii) or (iv)), the Company shall have provided the Executive with written notice within ninety (90) days of the event(s)
alleged to constitute Cause, the Executive has been afforded at least thirty (30) days to cure same and has failed to cure the
event(s) within such 30 day period.


 


(g) Without
Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause immediately upon written
notice by the Company to the Executive.


 


(h) Notice
of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or by the Executive (other than termination
by reason of the Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set 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.


 


(i) Date
of Termination. The “Date of Termination” shall mean (a) if the Executive’s employment is terminated
by his death, the date of his death, (b) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to subsection 5(c) above, thirty
(30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties
on a full-time basis during such thirty (30) day period), (c) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to subsections
5(d) or 5(f) above, the date specified in the Notice of Termination after the expiration of any applicable cure periods, (d) if
the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to subsection 5(e) above, the date specified in the Notice of Termination
which shall be at least thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given, or such earlier date as the Company shall determine,
in its sole discretion, (e) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to subsection 5(g), the date on which a
Notice of Termination is given and (f) if Executive is terminated upon expiration of the Term, the date of the expiration of the
Term.


 






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(j) Compensation
Upon Termination.


 


(i)
Termination for Cause, without Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company
for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall receive from the Company: (1) any earned but unpaid Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices; (2) reimbursement
for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred and paid in accordance with Section 4(e) through the Date of Termination; (3) payment
for any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy; and (4) such benefits, and other payments, if any,
as to which the Executive (and his eligible dependents) may be entitled under, and in accordance with the terms and conditions
of, the employee benefit arrangements, plans and programs of the Company as of the Date of Termination, other than any severance
pay plan ((1) though (4), (the “Amounts and Benefits”), and the Company shall have no further obligation with
respect to this Agreement other than as provided in Section 8 of this Agreement. In addition, any portion of any outstanding equity
or incentive award that remains unvested on the Date of Termination shall be forfeited as of the Date of Termination.


 


(ii)
Termination without Cause or for Good Reason. If prior to the expiration of the Term, the Executive resigns from
his employment hereunder for Good Reason or the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause (other
than a termination by reason of death or Disability), then the Company shall pay or provide the Executive the Amounts and Benefits
and the following:


 


(1) an
amount equal to the Base Salary the Executive would have received had he remained employed throughout the remainder of the Term,
but in no case shall the amount be less than the equivalent of six (6) months of Base Salary, which shall be payable in ratable
installments pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll procedures for the balance of the Term;


 


(2) any
Annual Bonus earned but unpaid for a prior year (the “Prior Year Bonus”), which shall be payable in full in
a lump sum cash payment to be made to the Executive on the date that is thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination or the
date such bonus would be paid if Executive had remained an employee of the Company, if later;


 


(3) in
the event such resignation or termination occurs following the Company’s first fiscal quarter of any year, a pro-rata portion
of the Executive’s Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Executive’s termination occurs based on actual results
for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such Annual Bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that the Executive is employed by the Company
and the denominator of which is 365), paid in accordance with Section 4(b) (“Pro Rata Bonus”). The Pro Rata
Bonus shall be payable at the time the Annual Bonus would have been paid if Executive’s employment had not terminated;


  


(4) subject
to the Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
as amended (“COBRA”), with respect to the Company’s group health insurance plans in which the Executive participated
immediately prior to the Date of Termination (“COBRA Continuation Coverage”), the Company shall pay the full cost of
COBRA Continuation Coverage for the Executive and his eligible dependents until the earliest of (a) the Executive or his eligible
dependents, as the case may be, ceasing to be eligible under COBRA (or any COBRA-like benefits provided under applicable state
law) and (b) eighteen (18) months following the Date of Termination, (the benefits provided under this sub-section (4), the “Medical
Continuation Benefits”); and


 


(5) any
unvested portion of the PSUs and the RSUs shall accelerate and become fully vested on the Date of Termination and the shares covered
by the RSUs and PSUs shall be distributed to the Executive on the date that is thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination
(subject to any securities law restrictions). For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement
and the applicable Award Agreement, this Agreement shall govern.


 


(iii)
Termination upon Death. In the event of the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive’s
estate: (1) continued payment of the Executive’s Base Salary for the remainder of the year in which the termination for reason
of death occurs, (2) the Amounts and Benefits, (3) the Prior Year Bonus, and (4) the Pro Rata Bonus. In addition, any unvested
PSUs and the RSUs shall vest with respect to the portion of such award that was scheduled to vest in the year in which the termination
for reason of death occurs and such shares covered by the RSUs shall be distributed to the Executive within thirty (30) days of
the Date of Termination (subject to any securities law restrictions). Any other unvested portion of the RSUs will be forfeited
on the Date of Termination.


 


(iv)
Termination upon Disability. In the event the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder for reason
of Disability, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive: (1) the Amounts and Benefits, (2) the Prior Year Bonus, (3) a
Pro Rata Bonus and (4) the Medical Continuation Benefits. In addition, any unvested PSUs and RSUs shall vest with respect to the
portion of such award that was scheduled to vest in the year in which the termination for reason of Disability occurs and such
shares covered by the RSUs shall be distributed to the Executive within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination (subject to
any securities law restrictions). Any other unvested portion of the RSUs will be forfeited on the Date of Termination.


 






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(v)
Payments of Compensation Upon Termination. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Executive shall be entitled
to receive payments and benefits pursuant to any one of sub-sections 5(a), (b), (c) or (d) above, he shall be entitled to no payments
or benefits under any other of such sub-sections.


 


(vi)
Release of Claims. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, as a condition of receiving any payment
or benefits under Section 5(j)(ii) or 5(j)(viii) (in each case other than the Amounts and Benefits), the Executive agrees to execute,
deliver and not revoke a general release and covenant not to sue in favor of the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective
affiliates in substantially the form attached here to as Exhibit A (the “Release”), before the date that is
thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination. In the event the Release is not executed and non-revocable prior to the date
that is thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, all payments and benefits under Section 5(j)(ii) (other than the Amounts
and Benefits) shall be forfeited.


 


(vii)
No Duty to Mitigate. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this
Section 5 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 5 be reduced
by any compensation earned by Executive as the result of Executive’s employment by another employer or business or by profits
earned by Executive from any other source at any time before and after the Executive’s date of termination (other than as
provided in Section 5(j)(ii)(4)).


 


(viii)
Expiration of the Term. If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason upon the end of the Term and
the Company has not offered to extend this Agreement or offered the Executive an employment agreement on equal or greater aggregate
financial terms, then, in addition to the Amounts and Benefits, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to six (6)
months of his Base Salary, which shall be payable in full in a lump sum cash payment to be made to the Executive on the date that
is thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, subject to Section 5(j)(vi). The Company shall have no further obligation
with respect to this Agreement other than as provided in Section 8 of this Agreement.


 


6.
Confidentiality.


 


(a) The
Executive acknowledges that all customer lists and information, vendor or supplier lists and information, inventions, trade secrets,
software and computer code (whether in object code or source code format), databases, know-how or other non-public, confidential
or proprietary knowledge, information or data with respect to the products, prices, marketing, services, operations, finances,
business or affairs of the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates or with respect to confidential, proprietary or secret processes,
methods, inventions, services, research, techniques, customers (including, without limitation, the identity of the customers of
the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates and the specific nature of the services provided by the Company or its subsidiaries
and affiliates), employees (including, without limitation, the matters subject to this Agreement) or plans of or with respect to
the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates or the terms of this Agreement (all of the foregoing collectively hereinafter referred
to as, “Confidential Information”) are property of the Company or its applicable subsidiaries or affiliates.
The Executive further acknowledges that the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates intend, and make reasonable good faith
efforts, to protect the Confidential Information from public disclosure. Therefore, the Executive agrees that, except as (a) required
by law or regulation or as legally compelled by court order (provided that in such case, the Executive shall promptly notify
the Company of such order, shall cooperate with the Company in attempting to obtain a protective order or to otherwise restrict
such disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with any such law,
regulation or order) or (b) required in order to enforce his rights under this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company
and/or its affiliates, during the Term and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, divulge, transmit,
publish, copy, distribute, furnish or otherwise disclose or make accessible any Confidential Information, or use any Confidential
Information for the benefit of anyone other than the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, unless and to the extent that
the Confidential Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the general public by lawful means and other than
as a result of the Executive’s acts or omissions or such disclosure is necessary in the course of the Executive’s proper
performance of his duties under this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 6(a) is intended to limit or affect Executive’s right
to respond to a subpoena or an inquiry by a government or self-regulatory agency or to exercise Executive’s rights under
the Defend Trade Secrets Act.


  


(b) The
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates do not wish to incorporate any unlicensed or unauthorized material into their products
or services. Therefore, the Executive agrees that he will not disclose to the Company, use in the Company’s business, or
cause the Company to use, any information or material which is a trade secret, or confidential or proprietary information, of any
third party, including, but not limited to, any former employer, competitor or client, unless the Company has a right to receive
and use such information or material. The Executive will not incorporate into his work any material or information which is subject
to the copyrights of any third party unless the Company has a written agreement with such third party or otherwise has the right
to receive and use such material or information.


 






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7.
Covenants.


 


(a) Noncompete.
The Executive hereby agrees that while he is employed by the Company and, as applicable, for the “Restricted Period”
(as defined below), he shall not, directly or indirectly, in any location in which the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates
or a licensee thereof operates or sells its products (the “Territory”), engage, have an interest in or render
any services to any Competitor (whether as owner, manager, operator, licensor, licensee, lender, partner, stockholder, joint venturer,
employee, consultant or otherwise). For purposes of this Section 7(a), Competitors shall include Marquee Brands, Iconix Brands
(NASDAQ: ICON), Cherokee Inc. (NASDAQ: CHKE), Authentic Brands Group LLC, BlueStar Alliance, LVMH, Saban Brands (and each of their
respective subsidiaries and affiliates) and any other entity that is not currently in existence, but in the future will primarily
promote, market and license consumer brands. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from owning
stock in a publicly traded corporation whose activities compete with those of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, provided
that such stock holdings are not greater than five percent (5%) of such corporation. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Restricted
Period” shall mean, in the event of a termination of employment by the Company for Cause or a resignation by the Executive
without Good Reason, a period of six (6) months following the Executive’s termination of employment. For the avoidance of
doubt, this Section 7(a) shall not apply following a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause
or a resignation by the Executive for Good Reason.


 


(b) Nonsolicitation
of Employees. The Executive shall not, while he is employed by the Company and during the one- year period following his termination
of employment for any reason, directly or indirectly, (1) employ, cause to be employed or hired, recruit, solicit for employment
or otherwise contract for the services of, any individual who was or is an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates; (2) otherwise induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate
such individual’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between the Company or any such subsidiary or affiliate and any such employee.


 


(c) Company
IP; Work Product.


 


(i)
“Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and industrial property recognized by applicable requirements
of law and all physical or tangible embodiments thereof, including all of the following, whether domestic or foreign: (1) patents
and patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions (whether or not patentable), as well as any reissues, continuations,
continuations in part, divisions, revisions, renewals, extensions or reexaminations thereof; (2) registered and unregistered trademarks,
service marks, trade names, trade dress, logos, slogans and corporate names, and other indicia of origin, pending trademark and
service mark registration applications, and intent-to-use registrations or similar reservations of marks; (3) registered and unregistered
copyrights and mask works, and applications for registration of either; (4) Internet domain names, applications and reservations
therefor, uniform resource locators and the corresponding Internet websites (including any content and other materials accessible
and/or displayed thereon); (5) Confidential Information; and (6) intellectual property and proprietary information not otherwise
listed in (1) through (6) above, including unpatented inventions, invention disclosures, rights of publicity, rights of privacy,
moral and economic rights of authors and inventors (however denominated), methods, artistic works, works of authorship, industrial
and other designs, methods, processes, technology, patterns, techniques, data, plant variety rights and all derivatives, improvements
and refinements thereof, howsoever recorded, or unrecorded; and (7) any goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, damages
and payments for past or future infringements and misappropriations thereof, and all rights to sue for past, present and future
infringements or misappropriations thereof.


 


(ii)
Work Product. The Executive agrees to promptly disclose to the Company any and all work product, including Intellectual
Property relating to the business of the Company and any of its affiliates, that is created, developed, acquired, authored, modified,
composed, invented, discovered, performed, reduced to practice, perfected, or learned by the Executive (either solely or jointly
with others) directly relating to the Company’s and its affiliates’ business or within the scope of Executive’s
employment during the Term (collectively, “Work Product,” and together with such Intellectual Property as may
be owned, used, held for use, or acquired by the Company and its affiliates, the “Company IP”). The Company
IP, including the Work Product, is and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its affiliates, as applicable.
All Work Product that is copyrightable subject matter shall be considered a “work made for hire” to the extent permitted
under applicable copyright law (including within the meaning of Title 17 of the United States Code) and will be considered the
sole property of the Company. To the extent such Work Product is not considered a “work made for hire,” Executive hereby
grants, transfers, assigns, conveys and relinquishes, without any requirement of further consideration, all right, title, and interest
to the Work Product (whether now or hereafter existing, including all associated goodwill, damages and payments for past or future
infringements and misappropriations thereof and rights to sue for past and future infringements and misappropriates thereof) to
the Company in perpetuity or for the longest period permitted under applicable law. The Executive agrees, at the Company’s
expense, to execute any documents requested by the Company or any of its affiliates at any time to give full and proper effect
to such assignment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company is and will be the sole and absolute owner of all Intellectual
Property, including all Company IP. The Executive will cooperate with the Company and any of its affiliates, at no additional cost
to such parties (whether during or after the Term), in the confirmation, registration, protection and enforcement of the rights
and property of the Company and its affiliates in such intellectual property, materials and assets, including, without limitation,
the Company IP. The Executive hereby waives any so-called “moral rights of authors” in connection with the Work Product
and acknowledges and agrees that the Company may use, exploit, distribute, reproduce, advertise, promote, publicize, alter, modify
or edit the Work Product or combine the Work Product with other works including other Company IP, at the Company’s sole discretion,
in any format or medium hereafter devised. The Executive further waives any and all rights to seek or obtain any injunctive or
equitable relief in connection with the Work Product. Notwithstanding the above, the Executive shall have the right, subject to
Section 6 hereof, to author or collaborate on one or more books or other similar works (in whatever form, including written,
electronic or otherwise) on any topic(s) whatsoever (including discussion of his experiences as an employee of the Company) (each,
a “Book”), and any such Book shall not be deemed Work Product or Company IP, and the Company shall have no claim
to any rights, title or interest in any such Book.


 






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(d) Company
Property. All Confidential Information, Company IP, files, records, correspondence, memoranda, notes or other documents (including,
without limitation, those in computer-readable form) or property relating or belonging to the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into his possession or control in the course of the performance
of his services under this Agreement, shall be the exclusive property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company, and
not retained by the Executive (including, without limitation, any copies thereof), promptly upon request by the Company and, in
any event, promptly upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder. Upon termination of Executive’s employment
hereunder, the Executive shall have no rights to and shall make no further use of any Company IP, including Work Product. The Executive
acknowledges and agrees that he has no expectation of privacy with respect to the Company’s telecommunications, networking
or information processing systems (including, without limitation, stored computer files, email messages and voice messages), and
that the Executive’s activity and any files or messages on or using any of those systems may be monitored at any time without
notice. Nothing in this Section 7 shall require the Executive to return to the Company any computers or telecommunication
equipment or tangible property which he owns, including, but not limited to, personal computers, phones and tablet devices; provided,
however, that Executive shall identify each such device or item to the Company prior to termination of employment and afford
the Company a reasonable opportunity to remove from all such devices or items any confidential or proprietary information of the
Company stored or programmed thereon.


 


(e) Enforcement.
The Executive acknowledges that a breach of his covenants and agreements contained in Sections 6 and 7 would cause irreparable
damage to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, the exact amount of which would be difficult to ascertain, and that
the remedies at law for any such breach or threatened breach would be inadequate. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if he
breaches or threatens to breach any of the covenants or agreements contained in Sections 6 and 7, in addition to any other
remedy which may be available at law or in equity, the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates shall be entitled to institute
and prosecute proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief
to prevent the breach or any threatened breach thereof without bond or other security or a showing of irreparable harm or lack
of an adequate remedy at law. Additionally, upon a material breach by Executive of Section 6 or Section 7, the unvested
RSUs (and any other stock-based awards held by the Executive) shall be automatically canceled and forfeited without any further
action. The Company and the Executive further acknowledge that the time, scope, geographic area and other provisions of Sections
6 and 7 have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and agree that they consider the restrictions
and covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7 to be reasonable and necessary for the protection of the interests of the Company
and its subsidiaries and affiliates, but if any such restriction or covenant shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction
to be void but would be valid if deleted in part or reduced in application, such restriction or covenant shall apply in such jurisdiction
with such deletion or modification as may be necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that the restrictions and covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7 shall be construed for all purposes to be separate and
independent from any other covenant, whether in this Agreement or otherwise, and shall each be capable of being reduced in application
or severed without prejudice to the other restrictions and covenants or to the remaining provisions of this Agreement. The existence
of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, whether predicated
upon this Agreement or otherwise, shall not excuse the Executive’s breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation contained
in Section 6 or Section 7 and shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
of such covenant, agreement or obligation; provided, however, that if upon termination of this Agreement by the Company
without “Cause” or by Executive for “Good Reason”, the Company defaults on any obligation to pay Executive
any amount due and owing Executive under Section 5(j)(ii)(1), then, until such time that the Company has paid such amounts
to Executive, Executive shall not be required to comply with the undertakings set forth in Section 7(a) and Section 7(b).


 


8.
Indemnification. The Company shall represent, indemnify and hold the Executive harmless from and against any
claim, demand, obligation, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), judgments, settlements and damages
arising from or relating to services rendered by the Executive for the Company or his relationship with the Company, to the fullest
extent permitted by law; provided, however, that the Company shall not indemnify the Executive for any losses incurred
by the Executive as a result of or in connection with (a) acts or omissions described in Section 5(f), or (b) a cause of action
by Executive against the Company or its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, agents, representatives or employees.
If the Executive has any knowledge of any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, as to which the Executive may request indemnity under this provision, the Executive shall give the Company prompt
written notice thereof. The Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such proceeding, and the Executive shall cooperate
with such defense.


 


9.
Section 409A of the Code.


 


(a) It
is intended that the provisions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A of Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated
thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”), and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a
manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Code Section 409A. If any provision of this Agreement
(or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause the Executive to incur any additional
tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall, upon the specific request of the Executive, use its reasonable business
efforts to in good faith reform such provision to comply with Code Section 409A; provided, that to the maximum extent practicable,
the original intent and economic benefit to the Executive and the Company of the applicable provision shall be maintained, but
the Company shall have no obligation to make any changes that could create any additional economic cost or loss of benefit to the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability with regard to any failure to comply with Code Section
409A so long as it has acted in good faith with regard to compliance therewith.


 


(b) A
termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the
payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “Separation
from Service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to
a “resignation,” “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean Separation
from Service. Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s Separation
from Service, the Company determines that the Executive is a “Specified Employee,” within the meaning of Code Section
409A, based on an identification date of December 31, then to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled
to under this Agreement on account of such separation from service would be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under
Code Section 409A, such payment or benefit shall be paid or provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) six (6) months and
one day after such separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”).
Within five days of the end of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 10(b) (whether they
would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or provided to
the Executive in a lump-sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance
with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.


 






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(c) With
regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by
Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another
benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not
affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, provided
that the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b)
of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect and (iii) such
payments shall be made on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the
expense was incurred.


 


(d) Each
payment made under this Agreement shall be designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.


 


10.
Miscellaneous.


 


(a) This
Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be construed
in accordance with those laws. The Company and Executive unconditionally consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
New York State Supreme Court, County of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for
any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agree
not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agree that service of any process,
summons, notice or document by registered mail to the address set forth below shall be effective service of process for any action,
suit or proceeding brought against the Company or the Executive, as the case may be, in any such court.


 


(b) Executive
may not delegate his duties or assign his rights hereunder. The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement
in connection with a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or a sale, liquidation or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee expressly assumes the liabilities,
obligations and duties of the Company under this Agreement. In the event of any such assignment, the term “Company”
shall include the Company’s successor or assign. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties
hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns.


 


(c) The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision. This Agreement reflects the entire understanding between the parties.


 


(d) This
Agreement represents the entire understanding of the Executive and the Company with respect to the employment of the Executive
by the Company and contain all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to such employment. Any modification
or termination of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the party to be charged.


 


(e) This
Agreement may be executed by the parties in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has
been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto.


 


(f) All
amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to the withholding of all applicable taxes and deductions required by any applicable
law.


 


11.
Notices. All notices relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered,
sent by telecopy (receipt confirmed) or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to be delivered at such address as
is indicated below, or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient has specified by prior written
notice to the sending party. Notice shall be effective when so personally delivered, one business day after being sent by telecopy
or five days after being mailed.


 


To the Company:


 


Sequential Brands Group, Inc.

c/o Tengram Capital Partners, L.P.

601 West 26th Street

New York, NY 10001


Attention: Andrew R. Tarshis


 


To the Executive:


 


Peter Lops


 


Address:


 


[signature pages follows]








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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have
entered into this Agreement as of February 27, 2018.


 


	SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.	 	EXECUTIVE	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:	/s/ Karen Murray	 	/s/ Peter Lops	 
	 	Name: Karen Murray	 	Peter Lops	 
	 	Title: Chief Executive Officer	 	 	 	 



 








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EXHIBIT A


 


EXECUTIVE RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO
SUE


 


Except as otherwise provided herein, in consideration of the
severance payments and/or benefits I am eligible to receive pursuant to the employment agreement between Sequential Brands Group,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and me, dated February 27, 2018 (the “Employment Agreement”),
I, Peter Lops, on behalf of myself, and on behalf of my heirs, successors and assigns, hereby knowingly and voluntarily release
and discharge, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, and all of their respective past and present subsidiaries,
affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns (“Company Entities”) and, with respect to each and all of the Company
Entities, all of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, each individually and in their representative capacities
(“Company Entity Officials”) (Company Entities and Company Entity Officials collectively referred to herein as “Released
Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, agreements, obligations, expenses, actions, judgments and liabilities of any
kind whatsoever, in law, equity or otherwise, whether known or unknown, suspected or claimed, specifically mentioned herein or
not, which I had, have or may have against any of the Released Parties by reason of any actual or alleged act, event, occurrence,
omission, practice or other matter whatsoever from the beginning of time up to and including the date that I sign this Separation
and General Release Agreement (this “Claims”), including that but not limited to Claims arising out of or in any way
relating to: (i) my employment with any and all of the Company Entities, including the termination of that employment; (ii) any
common law, public policy, company policy, contract (whether oral or written, express or implied) or tort law having any bearing
whatsoever on the terms and conditions of my employment; and/or (iii) any federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation
including, but not limited to, the following (each as amended, if applicable): Age Discrimination in Employment Act (including
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); Americans with Disabilities Act; Civil Rights Act of 1866; Civil Rights Act of 1991; Equal
Pay Act; Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; National Labor Relations Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws; New York State Labor Law; New York
State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; and any other law, ordinance or regulation regarding discrimination or
harassment or terms or conditions of employment. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, my release of claims against Company
Entity Officials shall be limited to claims relating to my employment with the Company.


 


I agree that I have entered into this Release as a compromise
and in full and final settlement of all Claims, if any, that I have or may have against any and all of the Released Parties up
to and including the date that I sign this Release (except as otherwise expressly set forth below). I also agree that, although
I may hereafter discover Claims presently unknown or unsuspected, or new or additional facts from those which I now knows or believe
to be true, I intend to provide a complete waiver of all Claims based on any facts and circumstances, whether known or unknown,
up to and including the date that I sign this Agreement (except as otherwise expressly set forth below).


 


However, notwithstanding the foregoing, I am not releasing,
and for the avoidance of doubt Claims do not include, my rights, if any, (i) to representation and indemnification by the Company
or any of its affiliates, to the maximum extent permitted by law, for all claims or proceedings, or threatened claims or proceedings,
arising out of or relating to my service as an officer, director or employee, as the case may be, of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, (ii) to payment of any authorized but unreimbursed business expenses incurred prior to the termination of my employment
with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in accordance with Section 4(e) of my Employment Agreement, (iii) under any employee
pension or welfare plan or program in which I participate or participated, (iv) to receive payments, severance and benefits under
the Employment Agreement, (v) to be represented and indemnified pursuant to Section 8 of the Employment Agreement or pursuant to
other agreements to which I may be entitled to indemnification, (vi) to my right to elect health continuation coverage under “COBRA”
(or its state-law equivalent) and (vii) to any equity awards I have received prior to the date of termination of my employment,
including any RSUs/PSUs. Furthermore, I am not releasing any rights or claims that may arise after the date on which I sign this
Release or that cannot be released by a private settlement agreement (such as statutory claims for worker’s compensation/disability
insurance benefits and unemployment compensation).


 


I represent that I have not assigned or transferred my rights
with respect to any Claims covered by this Release and that I have not filed, directly or indirectly any legal proceeding against
the Released Parties regarding any such Claims. If I commence (or commenced) or participate in any action or proceeding (including
as a member of a class of persons) regarding Claims covered by this Release, I acknowledge and agree that this Release shall be
a complete defense in such action or proceeding and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, I and my heirs, successors and assigns
will have no right to obtain or receive, and will not seek or accept, any damages, settlement or relief of any kind (including
attorneys’ fees and costs) as a result of such action or proceeding.


 


In addition, I acknowledge and agree that I am and will continue
to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Employment Agreement (including the restrictive covenants) (the “Continuing
Obligations”),all of which continue to remain in full force and effect for the periods set forth therein notwithstanding
the termination of my employment and are hereby incorporated herein by reference.


 


In further consideration of the payment and/or benefits I am
eligible to receive pursuant to the Employment Agreement, I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company Entities, their legal
counsel and designees regarding any current or future claim, investigation (internal or otherwise), inquiry or litigation relating
to any matter with which I was involved or had knowledge or which occurred during my employment, with such assistance including,
but not limited to, meetings and other consultations, signing affidavits and documents that are factually accurate, attending depositions
and providing truthful testimony (in each case, without requiring a subpoena); provided, however, that the Company will reimburse
me for my reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and travel expenses) actually incurred by me in connection with
such cooperation (it being understood that if any such expenses are expected to exceed $5,000, I shall inform the Company prior
to incurring such expenses to provide the Company with an opportunity to either agree to reimburse me for such expenses or advise
me not to provide such cooperation necessitating the incurrence of such expenses).


 






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I acknowledge and agree that:


 


1. The payment and/or benefits I am receiving under the Employment
Agreement constitute consideration over and above any payments and/or benefits that I might be entitled to receive without executing
this Release.


 


2. The Company advised me to consult with an attorney prior
to executing this Release.


 


3. I was given a period of at least 21 days within which to
consider this Release and that I must sign and return this Release no later than __________, 201_.


 


4. The Company has advised me of my statutory right to revoke
my acceptance of the terms of this Release at any time within seven (7) days of my signing of this Release.


 


5. I warrant and represent that my decision to accept this Release
was (a) entirely voluntary on my part; (b) not made in reliance on any inducement, promise or representation, whether express or
implied, other than the inducements, representations and promises expressly set forth in the Employment Agreement or in the Release;
and (c) did not result from any threats or other coercive activities to induce acceptance of this Release.


 


In the event I decide to exercise my right to revoke within
seven (7) days of my acceptance of this Release, I warrant and represent that I will do the following: (1) notify the Company in
writing of my intent to revoke my agreement, and (2) simultaneously return in full the consideration, if any, received from the
Company Entities pursuant to the Employment Agreement and which consideration was expressly subject to my signing this Release.


 


The Company and the Released Parties hereby release and forever
discharge me and my respective agents, attorneys, accountants, insurers, consultants, representatives, future employers, successors
and assigns (collectively, “Employee Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, obligations, losses, causes of
action, costs, expenses, attorneys' fees and liabilities of any nature whatsoever, whether based on contract, tort, statutory or
other legal or equitable theory of recovery, whether known or unknown, which the Company has, had, claims or could claim to have
against me, or Employee Releasees, including but not limited to any and all claims which relate to, arise from, or are in any manner
pertaining to my employment with the Company or other reason or basis whatsoever.


 


Upon its effectiveness, this Release, the Employment Agreement
and the Continuing Obligations, together with any applicable equity award agreements and equity plans, contains the entire agreement
and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all prior and contemporaneous
agreements, representations and understandings (whether oral or written) regarding the subject matter hereof. Once executed by
me, this Release may be modified only in a document signed by me and the Company and referring specifically hereto, and no handwritten
changes to this Release will be binding unless initialed by me and the Company. If any portion of this Release is held to be unenforceable
by any court of competent jurisdiction, the parties intend that such portion be modified to make it enforceable to the maximum
extent permitted by law. If any such portion (other than the general release provisions) cannot be modified to be enforceable,
such portion shall become null and void leaving the remainder of this Release in full force and effect.


 


This Release shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of (i) the Released Parties and the Employee Releasees, including the successors and assigns of the Released Parties and the Employee
Releasees, all of which are intended third-party beneficiaries, and (ii) me and my heirs, successors and assigns. This Release
is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by me or any of the Released Parties or the Employee Releasees, and such wrongdoing
or liability is expressly denied.


 


I further warrant and represent that I fully understand and
appreciate the consequence of my signing this Release and that I am signing it voluntarily.


 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this
Release as of _________, 20__.


 


 


________________________

Peter Lops





SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.


 


By: ________________________


Name: ______________________

Title: _______________________







 






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