<PAGE>

                                                             EXHIBIT 10.6(a)(II)

                   AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Amendment is dated as of March 1, 2002 by and between Applied
Graphics Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AGT"), and Joseph D.
Vecchiolla (hereinafter referred to as "Employee"), and amends the Employment
Agreement dated as of November 30, 2000, by and between AGT and Employee (the
"Agreement").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, in August 2001, Employee was promoted to the position of
President and Chief Operating Officer of AGT; and

         WHEREAS, AGT and Employee wish to amend the Agreement to restructure
Employee's compensation in recognition of such promotion and to provide
appropriate incentives to encourage Employee to remain in AGT's employ for the
foreseeable future;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree hereby agree:

         1.   The Term of the Agreement shall end on January 15, 2003.

         2.   Section 2(a) of the Agreement shall be modified to add the
              following sentence:

              "Effective as of August 8, 2001, Employee's Base Salary shall be
              increased from $375,000 per annum to $500,000 per annum."

         3.   Section 2(c) of the Agreement shall be amended and restated in its
              entirety to read as follows:

                  "(i)   Employee will be eligible to receive a bonus for
                         calendar year 2001 up to a maximum of 50% of $375,000
                         (the "2001 Bonus"), subject to the guideline that (i)
                         fifty percent (50%) of the 2001 Bonus will be based
                         upon the Employee meeting certain objectives
                         established in the sole discretion of the Compensation
                         Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Objectives"),
                         and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the 2001 Bonus will be
                         based upon the Employee exceeding the Objectives.

                  (ii)   Employee will be eligible to receive a bonus for
                         calendar year 2002 up to a maximum of $250,000 based
                         upon AGT achieving certain performance objectives
                         established in the sole discretion of the Compensation
                         Committee of the Board of Directors.

                  (iii)  In the event Employee is still employed as AGT's
                         President and Chief Operating Officer on January 15,
                         2003, Employee will receive a bonus of $250,000."

         4.   Section 3 of the Agreement shall be amended and restated in its
              entirety as follows:

         "3.  Duties. Employee agrees to fulfill the duties of President and
              Chief Operating Officer as such duties are defined by AGT's Board
              of Directors. It is understood that the Company
<PAGE>
              intends to commence a search for a new Chief Executive Officer. In
              light of the foregoing and the requirements of the Company as
              determined by the Board of Directors, it is understood that the
              Employee's duties may be modified from time to time in the future.
              However, the Employee's duties must, at a minimum, consist of
              those customarily performed by the Chief Operating Officer.
              Employee's reporting relationship shall be as determined by the
              Board of Directors in its sole discretion, provided that,
              initially, Employee shall report to the Executive Committee of the
              Board of Directors. Employee shall devote all of his business
              efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder and shall do so
              to the best of his abilities. The Employee's principal office,
              which is currently in New York, shall be in a location determined
              by the Board of Directors. Employee will travel both in the United
              States and abroad as necessary and appropriate to fulfill his
              duties."

         5.   Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Agreement
              shall remain in full force and effect as originally executed.

         6.   Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the
              meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this
Amendment as of the date first written above.

                                          APPLIED GRAPHICS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


                                          By: /s/ Martin D. Krall
                                             -----------------------------------
                                              Name: Martin D. Krall
                                              Title: Executive VP and CLO


                                              /s/ Joseph D. Vecchiolla
                                             -----------------------------------
                                              Joseph D. Vecchiolla