<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.0





                          SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT







                           DATED AS OF MARCH 29, 2000







                                 BY AND BETWEEN







                         CROWN ACQUISITION PARTNERS, LLC



                                       AND



                             EQUITY MARKETING, INC.



<PAGE>   2

                                      TABLE OF CONTENTS




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   PAGE
<S>                                                                                  <C>
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS................................................................2
      Section 1.1   Certain Defined Terms.............................................2

ARTICLE II. SALE AND TRANSFER OF SECURITIES; CLOSINGS.................................7
      Section 2.1   Sale And Purchase Of Securities...................................7
      Section 2.2   Purchase Price; Payment...........................................7
      Section 2.3   Commitment Fee....................................................7
      Section 2.4   Closings and Closing Deliveries...................................8

ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................................9
      Section 3.1   Disclosure Schedule...............................................9
      Section 3.2   Representations And Warranties Of The Company.....................9
      Section 3.3   Representations And Warranties Of The Investor...................19

ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.................................................21
      Section 4.1   No Solicitation..................................................21
      Section 4.2   Certain Agreements...............................................23
      Section 4.3   Continuing Covenants.............................................23
      Section 4.4   Governance.......................................................24

ARTICLE V. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.....................................................25
      Section 5.1   Preparation Of The Proxy Statement; Stockholder Meeting..........25
      Section 5.2   Best Efforts.....................................................26
      Section 5.3   Public Announcements.............................................26
      Section 5.4   Takeover Statutes................................................26
      Section 5.5   Restrictive Legend...............................................27
      Section 5.6   Standstill.......................................................27
      Section 5.7   Enforceability Opinion...........................................28

ARTICLE VI. CLOSING DELIVERIES.......................................................28
      Section 6.1   Conditions To The Obligation Of The Investor To Effect The First
                    Closing..........................................................28
      Section 6.2   Conditions To The Obligation Of The Company To Effect The First
                    Closing..........................................................30
      Section 6.3   Conditions To The Investor's Obligation To Effect The Second
                    Closing..........................................................30
      Section 6.4   Conditions to the Company's Obligation to Effect The Second
                    Closing..........................................................31

ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION.............................................................32
      Section 7.1   Termination of Second Closing by Either Party....................32
      Section 7.2   Termination of Second Closing by Investor........................32
      Section 7.3   Termination Date.................................................33
</TABLE>




                                       i



<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES..............................................33
      Section 8.1   Survival; Right To Indemnification Not Affected By Knowledge.....33
      Section 8.2   Indemnification And Payment Of Damages By The Company............33
      Section 8.3   Indemnification And Payment Of Damages By The Investor...........34
      Section 8.4   Limitation On Amount.............................................34
      Section 8.5   Procedure For Indemnification -- Third Party Claims..............35
      Section 8.6   Procedure For Indemnification -- Other Claims....................36
      Section 8.7   Remedies Exclusive...............................................36

ARTICLE IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS.......................................................36
      Section 9.1   Notices..........................................................36
      Section 9.2   Interpretation...................................................37
      Section 9.3   Counterparts.....................................................37
      Section 9.4   Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries...................37
      Section 9.5   Costs And Expenses...............................................37
      Section 9.6   Governing Law....................................................38
      Section 9.7   Assignment.......................................................38
      Section 9.8   Enforcement......................................................38
      Section 9.9   Severability.....................................................38
      Section 9.10  Further Assurances...............................................38
      Section 9.11  Construction.....................................................39
      Section 9.12  Amendment........................................................39
</TABLE>


                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Series B Warrant
Exhibit B - Series C Warrant
Exhibit C - Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock,
            Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock
Exhibit D - Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit E - Voting Agreement of Donald Kurz
Exhibit F - Voting Agreement of Stephen Robeck
Exhibit G - NASD Determination Letter
Exhibit H - Opinion of Riordan & McKinzie
Exhibit I - Opinion of the General Counsel of Equity Marketing, Inc.


                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 3.2(a) - Organization, Standing and Corporate Power
Schedule 3.2(b) - Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.2(c) - Capitalization; Valid Issuance of Shares
Schedule 3.2(d) - Authority; Noncontravention
Schedule 3.2(e) - SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities
Schedule 3.2(g) - Absence of Certain Changes or Events
Schedule 3.2(h) - Litigation; Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws




                                       ii

<PAGE>   4

Schedule 3.2(i) - Employee Matters
Schedule 3.2(j) - Tax Returns and Tax Payments
Schedule 3.2(m) - Properties Schedule 3.2(n) - Intellectual Property
Schedule 3.2(o) - Brokers




                                      iii


<PAGE>   5

                          SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT


               THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered
into as of March 29, 2000 by and between Crown Acquisition Partners, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (the "Investor"), and Equity Marketing, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company").


                                    RECITALS

               WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell to the Investor, and the
Investor desires to purchase from the Company, (i) a total of 25,000 shares of
Series A Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of the
Company, par value $.001 per share (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), (ii)
warrants, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each individually a "Series
B Warrant," and collectively the "Series B Warrants"), to purchase 12,000 shares
of Series B Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of the
Company, par value $.001 per share (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), and (iii)
warrants, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each individually a "Series
C Warrant" and collectively the "Series C Warrants") to purchase 3,000 shares of
Series C Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of the
Company, par value $.001 per share (the "Series C Preferred Stock" and, together
with the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, the
"Preferred Stock") in each case, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement. The Series B Warrants and the Series C Warrants are
collectively referred to as the "Warrants";

               WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved, and
deemed it advisable, that the Company (i) execute and deliver this Agreement and
consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and (ii) issue and sell to the
Investor such shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrants on the terms
and conditions set forth herein;

               WHEREAS, prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the Company has filed the Certificate of Designation of its
Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "Certificate of Designation") with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

               WHEREAS, concurrently with the closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Company will enter into a registration
rights agreement with the Investor with respect to the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock and the Warrants being acquired by the Investor herein (the
"Registration Rights Agreement"), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D;

               WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement,
certain stockholders of the Company are entering into a voting agreement with
the Investor, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E with respect to Donald A.
Kurz and Exhibit F with respect to Stephen P. Robeck (each, a "Voting
Agreement," and collectively the "Voting Agreements"), whereby such stockholders
have agreed, for certain periods of time, to vote their shares in favor (a) of
the Company Stockholder Approval (as defined in Section 5.1(b)), if a Company
Stockholders Meeting is required to be held pursuant to Section 5.1(b), and any
other vote, consent or action as required of the stockholders of the Company to
approve the Contemplated




<PAGE>   6

Transactions and (b) the election of certain nominees selected by Investor to
the Board of Directors of the Company, in each case as provided herein; and

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
warranties, covenants, restrictions and agreements contained in this Agreement,
the parties agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I.
                                   DEFINITIONS

        Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms.

               "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, another Person
that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person.

               "Agreement" or "Securities Purchase Agreement" means this
Securities Purchase Agreement, including all Exhibits and Disclosure Schedules
attached hereto, as amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions
of Section 9.12. Words such as "herein," "hereinafter," "hereof," "hereto" and
"hereunder" refer to this Agreement as a whole, unless the context otherwise
requires.

               "Best Efforts" means the commercially reasonable efforts that a
prudent Person desirous of achieving a result would use in good faith in similar
circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved as expeditiously as can
reasonably be expected.

               "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a
day which is a legal holiday in the State of Delaware.

               "Certificate of Designation" means the Certificate of Designation
for the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C
Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit C.

               "Closings" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

               "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or
any successor law, and regulations issued by the IRS pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code or any successor law.

               "Common Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c).

               "Company" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

               "Company Indemnified Persons" has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.2.

               "Company SEC Financial Statements" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(e).

               "Company SEC Documents" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.2(e).




                                       2
<PAGE>   7

               "Company Stock Options" means all outstanding officer, employee,
director or consultant stock options to purchase Common Stock granted under the
Option Plans.

               "Company Stockholder Approval" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1(b).

               "Company Stockholders Meeting" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1(b).

               "Confidentiality Agreement" means the Confidentiality Agreement
dated as of October 11, 1999 between the Company and Crown Capital Group
Incorporated.

               "Contemplated Transactions" means all of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) the sale by
the Company of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrants to the Investor,
(ii) the execution, delivery, and performance of the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Voting Agreements, (iii) the performance by the Investor and
the Company of their respective covenants and obligations under this Agreement,
and (iv) the Investor's acquisition and ownership of the Purchased Securities.

               "Credit Facility" means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of December 10, 1998 by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank California
and the other lenders party thereto, as amended to date by Amendments No. 1, 2,
3, 4, 5 and 6 thereto.

               "Damages" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2.

               "Designees" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(b).

               "DGCL" means the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, as amended.

               "Disclosure Schedule" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

               "Environmental Laws" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(l).

               "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, or any successor law, and regulations and rules issued
pursuant to that Act or any successor law.

               "ERISA Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(i).

               "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or any successor law, and regulations and rules issued pursuant to that
Act or any successor law.

               "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as used in
the United States.

               "Governmental Entit(y/ies)" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.2(d).

               "Houlihan Opinion" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(p).

               "HSR Act" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d).




                                       3
<PAGE>   8

               "Inconsistent Transaction" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.1.

               "Inconsistent Transaction Agreement" means any letter of intent,
agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement related
to any Inconsistent Transaction.

               "Indemnified Persons" means the Investor Indemnified Persons and
the Company Indemnified Persons, each an "Indemnified Person."

               "Intellectual Property" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.2(n).

               "Investor" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

               "Investor Indemnified Persons" has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.3.

               "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any
successor agency, and, to the extent relevant, the United States Department of
the Treasury.

               "Knowledge" means, with respect to an individual, that such
individual will be deemed to have "Knowledge" of a particular fact or other
matter if (a) such individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter, or
(b) a prudent individual would be expected to discover or otherwise become aware
of such fact or other matter in the course of conducting a reasonably
comprehensive investigation concerning the existence of such fact or other
matter. The Company will be deemed to have "Knowledge" of a particular fact or
other matter only if any of Donald Kurz, Leland Smith, Teresa Covington, Scott
Landsbaum, Edward Boyd, Kim Thompson or Gaetano Metropasqua has, or at any time
had, Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

               "Liens" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).

               "Material Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect" means any
change or effect that either individually or in the aggregate with all other
such changes or effects is, or would reasonably be expected to be, materially
adverse to the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (except for changes affecting
the economy generally or resulting from the announcement or execution of this
Agreement or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions);

               "Material Contracts" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d).

               "NASD" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(r).

               "Nasdaq" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(r).

               "NASD Determination Letter" means that certain letter that may be
issued by Nasdaq in response to the Company's letter of even date herewith and
attached hereto as Exhibit G (the "Company Request Letter") requesting that
Nasdaq confirm the Company's conclusions that the Contemplated Transactions do
not require stockholder approval under the Quantitative Maintenance Criteria of
Rule 4460(i) or under the Qualification Requirements For




                                       4
<PAGE>   9

Domestic and Canadian Securities of Rule 4310(c)(25)(G) of the rules of The
Nasdaq Stock Market.

               "Option Plans" mean the Equity Marketing, Inc. Stock Option Plan,
the Equity Marketing, Inc. 1995 Stock Award Plan and the Equity Marketing, Inc.
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

               "Organizational Documents" means (i) the articles or certificate
of incorporation and the bylaws of a corporation, (ii) the partnership agreement
and any statement of partnership of a general partnership, (iii) the limited
partnership agreement and the certificate of limited partnership of a limited
partnership, (iv) any charter or similar document adopted or filed in connection
with the creation, formation, or organization of a Person, and (v) any amendment
to any of the foregoing (including any pending or proposed amendments).

               "Permitted Liens" means (i) liens, charges and encumbrances for
any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges for sums not yet due; (ii)
liens granted under the Credit Facility; (iii) purchase money liens, and (iv)
such other liens, restrictions and other encumbrances, if any, which do not
materially detract from the value of, or materially interfere with, the present
use of the Company of the property subject thereof or affected thereby.

               "Person" means an individual, or a corporation, partnership, a
limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated
organization or other entity.

               "Preferred Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c).

               "Proceeding" means any action, arbitration, audit, hearing,
investigation, litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative,
investigative, or informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or
before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Entity or arbitrator.

               "Proxy Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).

               "Purchase Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

               "Purchased Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

               "Recent Company SEC Documents" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(e).

               "Registration Rights Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the
Recitals.

               "Representative" means with respect to a particular Person, any
authorized director, officer, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, or other
authorized representative of such Person, including legal counsel, accountants,
and financial advisors.

               "SEC" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d).

               "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
any successor law, and regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any
successor law.




                                       5
<PAGE>   10

               "Series A Preferred Shares" means the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock.

               "Series B Preferred Shares" means the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series B Warrants.

               "Series C Preferred Shares" means the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series C Warrants.

               "Software" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(n).

               "Stock Plans" means the Option Plans and any other plan, program,
agreement or arrangement providing for the issuance or grant of any interest in
respect of the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

               "Subsidiary" of any Person means another Person, an amount of the
voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of
which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of directors or
other governing body or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of
the equity interest of which, is owned directly or indirectly by such first
Person.

               "Tax Return(s)" means any return(s), report(s) or statement(s)
required to be filed with any Governmental Entity with respect to any Tax(es).

               "Tax(es)" means any and all tax(es) of any kind, including,
without limitation, those on or measured by or referred to as income, gross
receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise, profits, license, withholding,
payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, value added,
property or windfall profits taxes, customs, duties or similar fees, assessments
or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties,
additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Entity.

               "Termination Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.

               "Threatened" means a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action, or other
matter will be deemed to have been "Threatened" if any demand or statement has
been made (orally or in writing) or any notice has been given (orally or in
writing).

               "Threshold Amount" means the lesser of (i) 25% of the Common
Shares (or an equivalent adjusted number of shares of voting securities of the
Company into which such Common Shares have been converted following any
reclassification, conversion, reorganization, stock dividend, stock split,
reverse splits or combination or similar change to the common stock of the
Company) underlying the Preferred Shares and Warrants purchased by Investor
(assuming conversion of all shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased by
Investor and exercise of all the Warrants and conversion of all shares of Series
B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants) and (ii) 9.9% of the outstanding Common Shares. For purposes of clause
(i) this definition, if the Second Closing does not occur, only the Initial
Purchased Securities shall be taken into account in determining the number of
shares purchased by Investor hereunder.




                                       6
<PAGE>   11

               "Voting Agreements" means the Voting and Irrevocable Proxy
Agreements, entered into as of the date hereof and as amended from time to time
pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.2 thereof, by and among the Investor and
the stockholders of the Company listed on the signature page thereof or who
subsequently become a party thereto.

               "Warrants" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.


                                  ARTICLE II.
                    SALE AND TRANSFER OF SECURITIES; CLOSINGS

        Section 2.1 Sale And Purchase Of Securities.

               (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, the Company shall sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to
the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase, accept, and acquire from the
Company, on the date hereof (the "First Closing Date"), (i) 11,900 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock (the "Initial Preferred Shares"), (ii) a Series B
Warrant (the "Initial Series B Warrant") to purchase 5,712 shares of Series B
Preferred Stock and (iii) a Series C Warrant to purchase 1,428 shares of Series
C Preferred Stock (the "Initial Series C Warrant," and together with the Initial
Series B Warrant, the "Initial Warrants"). The Initial Warrants and the Initial
Preferred Shares are collectively referred to as the "Initial Securities."

               (b) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, the Company shall sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to
the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase, accept, and acquire from the
Company, at the Second Closing Date (defined below), (i) 13,100 shares of Series
A Preferred Stock (the "Additional Preferred Shares") (ii) a Series B Warrant
(the "Additional Series B Warrant") to purchase 6,288 shares of Series B
Preferred Stock and (iii) a Series C Warrant to purchase 1,572 shares of Series
C Preferred Stock (the "Additional Series C Warrant," and together with the
Additional Series B Warrant, the "Additional Warrants"). The Additional Warrants
and the Additional Preferred Shares are collectively referred to as the
"Additional Securities." The Initial Securities and the Additional Securities
are collectively referred to as the "Purchased Securities."

               Section 2.2 Purchase Price; Payment. In consideration of the
sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance and delivery to the Investor of the
Purchased Securities, the Investor agrees to pay to the Company, (i) on the
First Closing Date, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account specified by the Company, an aggregate purchase price of Eleven Million
Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,900,000) (the "Initial Purchase Price") and
(ii) on the Second Closing Date, by wire transfer of immediately available funds
to an account specified by the Company, an aggregate purchase price of Thirteen
Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($13,100,000) (the "Second Purchase Price,"
and together with the Initial Purchase Price, the "Purchase Price").

               Section 2.3 Commitment Fee. The Company agrees to pay to Investor
or any Affiliate of Investor designated by it (including Crown Capital Group
Incorporated), a commitment fee in the amount of $1,250,000. Such fee shall be
paid in equal quarterly installments of $62,500 commencing on June 30, 2000 and
ending on March 31, 2005. All such payments shall be made




                                       7
<PAGE>   12

in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified
by Investor. The parties agree that any Affiliate of Investor (including Crown
Capital Group Incorporated) designated by Investor to receive all or any portion
of the Commitment Fee shall be a third party beneficiary of this Section 2.3 of
this Agreement.

        Section 2.4 Closings and Closing Deliveries.

               (a) First Closing. The sale of the Initial Securities to be
purchased by the Investor contemplated by Section 2.1(a) shall take place at the
offices of Latham & Watkins, 633 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, California at
10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on the date hereof or at such other time and place as
the Company and the Investor may mutually agree in writing (such event being
called the "First Closing" and such date, the "First Closing Date"). All
transactions required to occur at the First Closing shall be deemed to have
occurred simultaneously, and no such transaction shall be deemed to have
occurred until all have occurred.

               (b) At the First Closing, the Company will deliver the following
to the Investor:

                   (i) A certified copy of the Certificate of Designation, which
shall have been duly filed under the laws of the State of Delaware;

                   (ii) A duly executed stock certificate evidencing the Initial
Preferred Shares registered in the name of the Investor;

                   (iii) The duly executed Initial Warrants registered in the
name of the Investor;

                   (iv) The Registration Rights Agreement duly executed and
delivered by the Company;

                   (v) The Voting Agreements duly executed and delivered by the
stockholders of the Company listed on the signature pages thereof; and

                   (vi) The documents, instruments and writings contemplated or
required to be delivered by the Company at the First Closing pursuant to Section
6.1 or otherwise contemplated or required under this Agreement.

               (c) At the First Closing, the Investor will deliver the following
to the Company:

                   (i) The Initial Purchase Price;

                   (ii) The Registration Rights Agreement duly executed and
delivered by the Investor; and

                   (iii) The documents, instruments and writings contemplated or
required to be delivered by the Investor at the First Closing pursuant to
Section 6.2 or otherwise contemplated or required under this Agreement.




                                       8
<PAGE>   13

               (d) Second Closing. The sale of the Additional Securities to be
purchased by the Investor contemplated by Section 2.1(b) shall take place at the
offices of Latham & Watkins, 633 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, California at
10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, or at such other time and place as the Company and the
Investor may mutually agree in writing, as soon as practicable and in any event
within five (5) Business Days following, and subject to, the prior fulfillment
or waiver of all conditions (other than conditions to be satisfied at the Second
Closing, but subject to those conditions) set forth in Sections 6.3 and 6.4
hereof (such event being called the "Second Closing," and such date, the "Second
Closing Date"). The First Closing and the Second Closing are collectively
referred to as the "Closings."

               (e) At the Second Closing, the Company will deliver the following
to the Investor:

                   (i) A certified copy of the Certificate of Designation (which
shall not have been amended following the First Closing except with the consent
of Investor);

                   (ii) A duly executed stock certificate evidencing the
Additional Preferred Shares registered in the name of the Investor;

                   (iii) The duly executed Additional Warrants registered in the
name of the Investor;

                   (iv) The documents, instruments and writings contemplated or
required to be delivered by the Company at the Second Closing pursuant to
Section 6.3 or otherwise contemplated or required under this Agreement.

               (f) At the Second Closing, the Investor will deliver the
following to the Company:

                   (i) The Second Purchase Price;

                   (ii) The documents, instruments and writings contemplated or
required to be delivered by the Investor at the Second Closing pursuant to
Section 6.4 or otherwise contemplated or required under this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE III.
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

               Section 3.1 Disclosure Schedule. On the date hereof, the Company
has delivered to the Investor a schedule (the "Disclosure Schedule") setting
forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or
appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in
a provision hereof or as an exception to one or more representations or
warranties contained in Section 3.2, or to one or more of its covenants
contained herein.

               Section 3.2 Representations And Warranties Of The Company. The
Company represents and warrants to the Investor, except as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule, as follows:




                                       9
<PAGE>   14

               (a) Organization, Standing And Corporate Power. Each of the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and
has the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
being conducted. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly
qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in
such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or licensed
(individually or in the aggregate) would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The
Company has provided the Investor with complete and correct copies of the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company and the comparable
Organizational Documents of each of its Subsidiaries.

               (b) Subsidiaries. The only direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the
Company and other ownership interests held by the Company in any other Person
are those listed in Section 3.2(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, and other than
such listed Subsidiaries and Persons, the Company does not own (directly or
indirectly) any stock, securities or equity interests in any Person. All the
outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests of each such
listed Subsidiary and Person have been validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable and are owned (of record and beneficially) by the Company, by
another Subsidiary (wholly owned) of the Company or by the Company and another
such Subsidiary (wholly owned), free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens,
charges, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever
(collectively, "Liens").

               (c) Capitalization; Valid Issuance Of Shares. The authorized
capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000 shares of common stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the "Common Shares"), and 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the "Preferred Shares"). As of the
date of this Agreement, there are (i) 6,249,767 Common Shares issued and
outstanding, (ii) 1,921,299 Common Shares held in the treasury of the Company or
held by any Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) 2,740,000 Common Shares reserved
for issuance upon exercise of authorized but unissued Company Stock Options
pursuant to the Option Plans; (iv) 1,827,810 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of outstanding Company Stock Options; and (v) no Preferred Shares
issued or outstanding. Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a
complete and accurate list of all Company Stock Options outstanding pursuant to
the Option Plans including the date of grant, name of option holder, exercise
price and expiration date. Except as set forth in this Section 3.2(c), no shares
of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company are issued, reserved
for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to the Stock Plans will
be when issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
and not subject to preemptive rights. The Series A Preferred Shares and the
Warrants when issued, paid for and delivered in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, and the Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares
to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants, as applicable, will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights. Except as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure
Schedule, there are




                                       10
<PAGE>   15

no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or other
securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having the right to vote
(or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote)
on any matters on which stockholders of the Company or such Subsidiary may vote.
Except as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments,
agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other equity or
voting securities of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any
such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement
or undertaking. Other than the Company Stock Options or as otherwise set forth
in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, (x) there are no outstanding
contractual obligations, commitments, understandings or arrangements of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or
make any payment in respect of or measured or determined based on the value or
market price of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (y) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no irrevocable
proxies with respect to shares of capital stock of the Company beneficially
owned by any officer or director of the Company or with respect to shares of
capital stock of any Subsidiary of the Company. Except as set forth in Section
3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no agreements or arrangements
pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or would be required
to register Common Shares, Preferred Shares or other securities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

               (d) Authority; Noncontravention. The Company has the requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement and the Warrants and to consummate the Contemplated
Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement and the Warrants by the Company and the consummation by the
Company of the Contemplated Transactions have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, subject to the approval
of the Company's stockholders of the issuance and sale of the Additional
Securities to the Investor. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the
effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the effect of
general principles of equity. Each of this Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Initial Warrants constitute, and, when duly executed and
delivered by the Company at the Second Closing, the Additional Warrants shall
constitute, a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally and the effect of general principles
of equity. Except as disclosed in Section 3.2(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and
the Warrants does not, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions and
compliance with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with, or result in any
breach or violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation, payment or
acceleration of or "put" right with respect to any obligation or the loss of a
material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, (i) the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or the comparable
Organizational Documents of any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement,
instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license applicable to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets which is
material to




                                       11
<PAGE>   16

the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole ("Material Contracts") or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the
following sentence, any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule,
regulation or arbitration award applicable to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets, other than, in the case
of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults,
rights, losses or Liens that individually or in the aggregate would not have a
Material Adverse Effect and would not prevent or materially hinder or delay the
ability of the Company to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. No consent,
approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, or notice to, any federal, state or local government or any court,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or agency,
domestic or foreign, (each a "Governmental Entity" and collectively,
"Governmental Entities"), or any other Person, is required by or with respect to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of
the Contemplated Transactions, except for (i) the filing of a pre-merger
notification and report form by the Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") (with respect to
the consummation of the Second Closing only) (the "HSR Filing"), (ii) the filing
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of (x) the Proxy
Statement, and (y) such other reports or schedules under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as may be required in connection
with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (iii) the Company
Stockholder Approval (with respect to the consummation of the Second Closing
only), and (iv) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations, filings or notices for which the absence of such
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or
as are set forth in Section 3.2(d) of the Disclosure Schedule; provided that the
exceptions set forth in clauses (ii)(x) and (iii) above shall not apply if the
NASD Determination Letter is obtained.

               (e) SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company has filed
all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents with the
SEC since January 1, 1998 (collectively, and in each case including all exhibits
and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, and
including without limitation the Recent Company SEC Documents (the "Company SEC
Documents"). As of their respective dates (or, if amended, at the time of such
amended filing or, in the case of Securities Act registration statements, on
their respective effective dates), the Company SEC Documents complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC
Documents (including any and all financial statements included therein) as of
such dates and as of the date hereof (except as set forth in subsequent filings
with the SEC prior to the date hereof) contained or contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The consolidated
financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (the
"Company SEC Financial Statements") comply as to form in all material respects
with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited
consolidated quarterly statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied
on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates




                                       12
<PAGE>   17

thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to
normal year-end audit adjustments). Since December 31, 1998, neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations required
to be reflected in its balance sheet (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise) except (i) as and to the extent set forth on the audited balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 (including the
notes thereto), (ii) as incurred in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions, (iii) as set forth in Section 3.2(e) of the Disclosure Schedule,
(iv) as described in the Company SEC Documents filed since December 31, 1998,
but prior to the date of this Agreement, including for this purpose, the
Company's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 filed
with the SEC on March 28, 2000 (the "Recent Company SEC Documents") or (v) as
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in
amounts that are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has received any
notice or has any Knowledge that any other party is, in default or breach under
or is unable to perform in any material respect under any Material Contracts,
nor has there occurred any event that with the lapse of time or the giving of
notice or both would constitute such a default or breach, except for those
defaults, breaches or inability to perform which would not reasonably be
expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

               (f) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's
stockholders or at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy
Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements
of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except
that no representation is made by the Company with respect to statements made or
incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied in writing by
the Investor for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

               (g) Absence Of Certain Changes Or Events. Except as disclosed in
the Recent Company SEC Documents or in Section 3.2(g) of the Disclosure
Schedule, since December 31, 1998, the Company has conducted its business only
in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there is not and has
not been: (i) any Material Adverse Change; (ii) any condition, event or
occurrence which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect or give rise to a Material Adverse Change;
(iii) any event which, if it had taken place following the execution of this
Agreement, would not have been permitted by Sections 4.2 or 4.4 without the
prior written consent of the Investor; or (iv) any condition, event or
occurrence which would prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of the
Company to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.

               (h) Litigation; Labor Matters; Compliance With Laws.

                   (i) Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents or in
Section 3.2(h) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no suit, action, proceeding,
investigation or inquiry pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, Threatened
against or affecting the




                                       13
<PAGE>   18

Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any
basis for any such suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry that,
individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of
the Company or the Investor to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, nor is
there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity
or arbitrator outstanding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having,
or which, in the future would reasonably be expected to have, any such effect.

                   (ii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other
agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor is it
or any of its Subsidiaries the subject of any proceeding asserting that it or
any Subsidiary has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment nor
is there any strike, work stoppage or other labor dispute involving it or any of
its Subsidiaries pending or, to its Knowledge, Threatened, any of which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                   (iii) The conduct of the business of each of the Company and
each of its Subsidiaries complies with all statutes, laws, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees or arbitration awards applicable
thereto, except for violations or failures so to comply, if any, that,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

               (i) Employee Matters.

               Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents or in Section
3.2(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company maintains no employment,
severance, bonus, profit sharing, compensation, termination, stock option, stock
appreciation right, restricted stock, phantom stock, performance unit, pension,
retirement, deferred compensation, welfare or employee benefit plan, agreement,
trust fund or other arrangement, including any "employee benefit plan" as
defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, or any union, guild or collective bargaining
agreement maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by the
Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, for the benefit or welfare of any
current or former director, officer, employee, consultant of the Company or any
of its ERISA Affiliates (such plans, agreements, trust funds and arrangements
being collectively the "Employee Agreements and Plans"), other than employment
agreements which provide for compensation to an individual that is not in excess
of $60,000 per year (including any payments available upon acceleration,
termination, or change of control). Each of the Employee Agreements and Plans is
in material compliance with all applicable laws including ERISA and the Code.
The IRS has issued a determination letter stating that each Employee Agreement
and Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the
Code is so qualified and the Company is aware of no event occurring after the
date of such determination that would adversely affect such determination. The
liabilities accrued under each such Employee Agreement and Plan are reflected on
the latest balance sheet of the Company included in the Recent Company SEC
Documents to the extent required in accordance with GAAP. No condition exists
that is reasonably likely to subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
any direct or indirect material liability under Title IV of ERISA or to a civil
penalty under Section 502(j) of ERISA or material liability under Section 4069
of ERISA or




                                       14
<PAGE>   19

4975, 4976, or 4980B of the Code or the loss of a federal tax deduction under
Section 280G of the Code or other material liability with respect to the
Employee Agreements and Plans that is not reflected on such balance sheet. No
Employee Agreement and Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA and no Employee
Agreement and Plan is a "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA. During the past six years, neither the Company nor any of its ERISA
Affiliates have made or been required to make contributions to any
"multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA. There have been no
non-exempt "prohibited transactions" within the meaning of Section 4975 of the
Code or Section 406 of ERISA with respect to any Employee Agreement and Plan to
which either of those sections may apply, which might result in any material
liability of the Company. No Employee Agreement and Plan provides benefits,
including death, medical or health benefits (whether or not insured), after an
employee's retirement or termination of employment, other than (i) continuation
coverage required pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Title I of
ERISA, and the regulation thereunder, and any other applicable law. There are no
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, anticipated or Threatened claims
(other than routine claims for benefits or immaterial claims) by, on behalf of
or against any of the Employee Agreements and Plans or any trusts related
thereto. "ERISA Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any trade or
business, whether or not incorporated, that together with such Person would be
deemed a "single employer" within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code.

               (j) Tax Returns And Tax Payments.

                   (i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has filed or
caused to be filed, on a timely basis, all Tax Returns that are or were required
to be filed by or with respect to any of them, either separately or as a member
of a group, pursuant to applicable law. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes that have or may have
become due pursuant to those Tax Returns or otherwise, or pursuant to any
assessment received by the Company or its Subsidiaries, except such Taxes, if
any, as are listed in Section 3.2(j)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule and are being
contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves (determined in
accordance with GAAP) have been provided in the Company SEC Financial
Statements;

                   (ii) The Company and its Subsidiaries have not granted the
IRS or relevant state tax authorities any extension or waiver of or the
applicable statute of limitations for their respective United States federal and
state income Tax Returns for any period. All deficiencies proposed as a result
of any audits of any Tax Returns have been paid, reserved against, settled, or,
as listed on Section 3.2(j)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, are being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings. No issues have been raised (and are
currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any Tax Return of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has given or been requested to give waivers or extensions (or is or
would be subject to a waiver or extension given by any other Person) of any
statute of limitations relating to the payment of Taxes of the Company or its
Subsidiaries for which any of them may be liable;

                   (iii) The charges, accruals, and reserves with respect to
Taxes on the respective books of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries are
adequate (determined in accordance with GAAP) and are at least equal to that
company's liability for Taxes. All Taxes




                                       15
<PAGE>   20

that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or was required by applicable law
to withhold or collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent
required, have been paid to the proper governmental entity or other Person;

                   (iv) All Tax Returns filed by (or that include on a
consolidated basis) the Company and/or its Subsidiaries are true, correct, and
complete. There is no tax sharing agreement that will require any payment by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement. Except as
set forth in Section 3.2(j)(iv) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been a member of any consolidated,
combined, unitary or aggregate group for Tax purposes except such a group
consisting only of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

                   (v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has filed
a consent pursuant to the collapsible corporation provisions of Section 341(f)
of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign income
tax law).

               (k) State Antitakeover Laws Not Applicable; No Other
Restrictions. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved this Agreement
and the Contemplated Transactions (including the Voting Agreements) and such
approval constitutes approval of the Investor's acquisition of the Series A
Preferred Shares, the Warrants (and the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise thereof) and the other
Contemplated Transactions by the Board of Directors of the Company under the
provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL such that the restrictions on "business
combinations" do not apply to Investor in connection with this Agreement or the
Contemplated Transactions. No other state takeover statute or similar statute or
regulation of the State of Delaware (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, of any
other state or jurisdiction) applies to this Agreement or the Contemplated
Transactions. No provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other
governing instruments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the terms of
any plan or agreement of the Company would, directly or indirectly, restrict or
impair (i) the ability of the Investor to vote, or otherwise to exercise the
rights of a stockholder with respect to, securities of the Company and its
Subsidiaries that may be acquired or controlled by the Investor by virtue of
this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions or (ii) the rights granted
hereunder, or permit any stockholder to acquire securities of the Company or the
Investor, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, on a basis not available to
the Investor in the event that the Investor were to acquire securities of the
Company.

               (l) Environmental Matters. There are no legal, administrative,
arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions, causes of action or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, private environmental investigations or remediation
activities or governmental investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or
that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition, on the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries of any liability or obligations arising under common law
standards relating to environmental protection, human health or safety, or under
any local, state, federal, national or supernational environmental statute,
regulation or ordinance, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (collectively, "Environmental
Laws"), pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, Threatened, against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which liability or obligation would have or
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge
of




                                       16
<PAGE>   21

the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, there is no reasonable basis for any
such proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose
any liability or obligation that would have or would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, during or prior
to the period of (i) its or any of its Subsidiaries' ownership or operation of
any of their respective current properties, or (ii) its or any of its
Subsidiaries' holding of a security interest or other interest in any property,
there was no release or Threatened release of hazardous, toxic, radioactive or
dangerous materials or other materials regulated under Environmental Laws in,
on, under or affecting any such property which would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
is subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree, letter or memorandum by or
with any court, regulatory agency, other Governmental Entity or third party
imposing any material liability or obligations pursuant to or under any
Environmental Law that would have or would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

               (m) Properties. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents
or in Section 3.2(m) of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (i) has good and marketable title to all the properties and assets
reflected in the latest audited balance sheet included in such Recent Company
SEC Documents as being owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or
acquired after the date thereof which are, individually or in the aggregate,
material to the Company's business on a consolidated basis (except properties
and assets sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary
course of business), free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens and (ii)
is the lessee of all leasehold estates reflected in the latest audited financial
statements included in such Recent Company SEC Documents or acquired after the
date thereof which are material to its business on a consolidated basis and is
in possession of the properties purported to be leased thereunder, and each such
lease is valid without material default thereunder by the lessee or, to the
Company's Knowledge, the lessor.

               (n) Intellectual Property. Section 3.2(n) of the Disclosure
Schedule contains a list of all copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks
and tradenames (including applications, continuations, reissues and similar
rights) ("Intellectual Property") and software (other than standard,
off-the-shelf software subject to "shrink wrap" licenses) ("Software") owned by
or licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries which are material to the
conduct of business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company or
the Subsidiary using such Intellectual Property or Software either (i) owns the
entire right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property and
Software free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) or (ii) has
the right and license to use the same in its business, except where the failure
to so own or have such right or license would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
proceedings are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, Threatened, which
challenge the validity, use or ownership of any of the Intellectual Property or
Software listed in Section 3.2(n) of the Disclosure Schedule. To the Knowledge
of the Company, no infringement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any
Intellectual Property of any other Person has occurred and the Company and its
Subsidiaries have not received notice of a claim that the Company or its
Subsidiaries are infringing any Intellectual Property of any other Person. To
the Knowledge of the Company, no Person is engaged in any unauthorized use of
the Intellectual Property of the Company.




                                       17
<PAGE>   22

               (o) Brokers. Except as described in Section 3.2(o) of the
Disclosure Schedule, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
Person, other than Houlihan, Lokey, Howard & Zukin ("HLHZ"), the fees and
expenses of which will be paid by the Company, is entitled to any broker's,
finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection
with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf
of the Company. The Company has provided to the Investor a true and correct copy
of any agreement with HLHZ providing for payment of any such fee or commission.

               (p) Opinion Of Financial Advisor. The Company has received, prior
to the execution of this Agreement, the oral opinion of HLHZ to the effect that
the purchase price to be received by the Company for the Purchased Securities is
fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company, a signed written copy of
which opinion, dated as of March 29, 2000 (the "Houlihan Opinion") will be
delivered to the Investor within five (5) Business Days of the date hereof.

               (q) Board Recommendations. The Board of Directors of the Company,
at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of those directors
present (who constituted four of six of the directors then in office) (i)
determined that this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions are fair to and
in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company, (ii) approved the
Certificate of Designation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C and resolved
that it be filed in accordance with applicable law as soon as practicable prior
to the First Closing Date, and (iii) resolved to recommend that the holders of
the Common Shares approve this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and
the issuance of the Additional Securities, if the Company is required to obtain
Company Stockholder Approval under Section 5.1(b).

               (r) Common Shares Listing. The Common Shares are registered
pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and are listed on the Nasdaq
National Market ("Nasdaq").

               The Company has taken no action designed to cause, or likely to
result in, the termination of the registration of the Common Shares under the
Exchange Act or the delisting of the Common Shares from Nasdaq, nor has the
Company received any notification that the SEC or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") is contemplating the termination of such
registration or listing.

               (s) Required Vote. The Company Stockholder Approval that may be
required pursuant to NASD Rule 4460(i) or NASD Rule 4310(c)(25)(G) prior to the
purchase by the Investor of the Additional Securities in order to avoid the
possible delisting of the Common Shares from Nasdaq is the only vote of the
holders of any class or series of the Company's securities that may be necessary
to approve any of the Contemplated Transactions or this Agreement. The Company
Stockholder Approval will not be required if the Company receives the NASD
Determination Letter and consummates the Second Closing without obtaining the
Company Stockholder Approval.

               (t) Customs Matters. Except as disclosed in Section 3.2(t) of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no legal, administrative, arbitral or other
proceedings, claims, actions, causes of action or, to the Knowledge of the
Company, private customs investigations or governmental




                                       18
<PAGE>   23

investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that would reasonably be
expected to result in the imposition, on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
of any liability or obligations arising under the United States customs or
international trade laws or the regulations of the United States Customs Service
that would have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, there is no
such Threatened proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that
would impose any liability or obligation that would have or would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Section
3.2(t) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received from the United
Sates Customs Service any Notices of Investigation, Rate Advances Notices,
Proposed Rate Advance Notices, Liquidated Damages Notices, Requests for
Information, Notices of Audit or Compliance Assessment Review Initiation,
Marking Notices, or any of the notices relating to merchandise imported into the
United States for which the Company is the Importer of Record or Consignee.

        Section 3.3 Representations And Warranties Of The Investor. The Investor
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

               (a) Organization, Standing And Power. The Investor is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as
now being conducted. The Investor is duly qualified or licensed to do business
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business
or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) would not have a
material adverse effect on the Investor.

               (b) Authority; Noncontravention. The Investor has all requisite
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Investor
and the consummation by the Investor of the Contemplated Transactions have been
duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Investor. Each of
this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by, and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of, the Investor,
enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, subject to the
effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the effect of
general principles of equity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the Registration Rights Agreement do not, and the consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions and compliance with the provisions hereof will not,
conflict with, or result in any breach or violation of, or default (with or
without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration of or "put" right with respect to any
obligation or to loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien
upon its or its Subsidiaries' properties or assets under, (i) the Investor's
Certificate of Formation or operating agreement, each as amended to date, (ii)
any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, contract
or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license
applicable to the Investor or any of its properties or assets which is material
to the Investor, each as amended to date or (iii) subject to the governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence, any judgment,
order, decree, statute, law,




                                       19
<PAGE>   24

ordinance, rule, regulation or arbitration award applicable to the Investor, or
its properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any
such conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect with
respect to the Investor or would not prevent or materially hinder or delay the
ability of the Investor to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. No consent,
approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity or any other Person is required by
or with respect to the Investor or any Subsidiary of Investor in connection with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by the Investor
of any of the Contemplated Transactions, except for (i) the HSR Filing, (ii) the
filing with the SEC of such reports or schedules under the Exchange Act as may
be required in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions,
(iii) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
declarations, filings or notices as may be required under the "takeover" or
"blue sky" laws of various states and (iv) such other consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or notices for
which the absence of such would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

               (c) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by the Investor for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Proxy Statement will, at the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the
Company's stockholders or at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.

               (d) Litigation. There is no suit, action, proceeding,
investigation or inquiry pending or, to the Knowledge of the Investor,
Threatened against or affecting the Investor or any basis for any such suit,
action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry that, individually or in the
aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect with
respect to the Investor or prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of
the Company or the Investor to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, nor is
there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity
or arbitrator outstanding against the Investor having, or which, in the future
would have, any such effect.

               (e) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or
other Person, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or
other similar fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions
based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Investor.

               (f) Investor Status. The Investor has such knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the
merits and risks of its investment in the Series A Preferred Shares and the
Warrants (and the Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Series B Warrants or Series C Warrants, as
applicable) and is able to bear the economic risks of such investment.

               (g) Accredited Investor. The Investor is an "accredited investor"
as defined in Rule 501(a) under the 1933 Act. The Investor is acquiring the
Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrants for its own account and not with a
view to any resale, distribution or other disposition




                                       20
<PAGE>   25

of the Series A Preferred Shares or the Warrants (or the Series B Preferred
Shares or Series C Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Series B
Warrants or the Series C Warrants, as applicable) in violation of the United
States securities laws.

               (h) Financial Ability. The Investor has the financial capability
to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and the Investor understands that
under the terms of this Agreement the Investor's obligations hereunder are not
in any way contingent or otherwise subject to (i) the Investor's consummation of
any financing arrangements or the Investor's obtaining any financing or (ii) the
availability of any financing to the Investor.

               (i) No Other Agreements. Except for the Voting Agreements, the
Investor has made no other agreements, arrangements or understandings concerning
the Contemplated Transactions or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with (a)
any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (b) any stockholder beneficially owning at least 5% of the
outstanding Common Shares.

               (j) No Ownership. Other than the Initial Securities to be
purchased by Investor at the First Closing, neither Investor nor any of its
Affiliates will directly own any debt or equity securities of the Company (or
any securities convertible into such debt or equity securities) as of the First
Closing.


                                  ARTICLE IV.
                            COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

        Section 4.1 No Solicitation.

               (a) Subject to clause (b) below, from the date hereof through the
earlier of (i) the Second Closing or (ii) the Termination Date, the Company
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, nor shall it
authorize (and shall use Best Efforts to prevent) any of its or its
Subsidiaries' Representatives to, directly or indirectly through another Person,
(i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public
information), or take any other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries or
the making of any proposals, inquiries or offers that would reasonably be
considered inconsistent with or would reasonably be expected to delay the
consummation of the Second Closing (each, an "Inconsistent Transaction
Proposal") or (ii) participate in any negotiations regarding any Inconsistent
Transaction Proposal. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any
proposal, inquiry or offer regarding the potential acquisition by any person or
"group" (as within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of 10%
of the net assets, voting securities or other equity interests of the Company
shall be considered an Inconsistent Transaction Proposal, and any such
transaction shall be considered an "Inconsistent Transaction."

               (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) above, the
Company shall be permitted, at any time prior to the earlier of (x) the Second
Closing or (y) the Termination Date, to (i) solicit, initiate or encourage
(including by way of furnishing non-public information), or take any other
action designed to facilitate, an Inconsistent Transaction Proposal, (ii)
participate in any negotiations regarding any Inconsistent Transaction Proposal
and (iii) consummate an Inconsistent Transaction and only if it takes each of
the following actions (and the Company




                                       21
<PAGE>   26

agrees to take and cause to be taken each of the actions described in (A), (B)
and (C) below if the Company takes or permits to be taken any actions described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4.1(b)): (A) the Company takes all
such actions as may be necessary to ensure that Investor obtains the maximum
financial and other consideration, rights and benefits from any Inconsistent
Transaction that is consummated prior to the Second Closing that Investor could
have received if the Second Closing had been consummated prior to the
consummation of such Inconsistent Transaction (and the Investor had tendered the
Second Purchase Price), including, without limitation, making a cash payment to
Investor in an amount equal to (x) the amount of taxes incurred by Investor as a
result of such Inconsistent Transaction that would not have been incurred had
the Inconsistent Transaction not occurred prior to the Second Closing, and (y)
an amount sufficient to ensure that the consideration received by Investor is
equal, on an after-tax basis, to the amount Investor would have received if the
Second Closing had been consummated prior to the consummation of such
Inconsistent Transaction (the financial and other consideration, rights and
benefits to which Investor is entitled under this clause (A) being collectively
referred to as the "Make-Whole Consideration"), (B) the other parties to the
Inconsistent Transaction (and any successor entities thereto) acknowledge and
agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 4.1(b), and (C) the Company
pays Investor a fee in the amount of $1,000,000 if an Inconsistent Transaction
is consummated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the maximum
financial and other consideration, rights and benefits (on an after tax basis)
that Investor could have received will be deemed to include any such financial
and other consideration, rights and benefits (on an after tax basis) that
Investor could have received had the Second Closing occurred prior to the
consummation of the Inconsistent Transaction and had Investor taken all such
actions with respect to the Additional Securities as may be specified by
Investor to the Company (or its successor) ("Specified Actions") that Investor
would have been entitled to take prior to the consummation of the Inconsistent
Transaction (including, if specified by Investor, the exercise of any of the
Additional Warrants and conversion of any Preferred Stock that would have been
issuable upon exercise of such Additional Warrants). Following the occurrence of
the Inconsistent Transaction, Investor shall notify the Company (or its
successor) of the Specified Actions that should be taken into account in
calculating the amount and nature of the Make-Whole Consideration.

               (c) Except in circumstances where the Company has specifically
complied with the terms and provisions of Section 4.1(b), neither the Board of
Directors of the Company nor any other committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or
modify, or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to the
Investor, the approval or recommendation by such Board of Directors of the
Contemplated Transactions, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or
recommend, any Inconsistent Transaction Proposal or (iii) cause the Company to
enter into any Inconsistent Transaction Agreement.

               (d) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.1, the Company shall immediately (but
in any event within two business days) advise the Investor orally and in writing
of any request for information with respect to any Inconsistent Transaction or
the receipt of any Inconsistent Transaction Proposal, the material terms and
conditions of such initial request or Inconsistent Transaction Proposal and the
identity of the person making such request or Inconsistent Transaction Proposal.




                                       22
<PAGE>   27

               (e) Nothing contained in this Section 4.1 shall prohibit the
Company from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated
by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act if, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company following consultation with
outside counsel, failure so to disclose would be a violation of its obligations
under applicable law; provided, however, that, neither the Company nor its Board
of Directors thereof shall withdraw or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw
or modify, its position with respect to this Agreement or the Contemplated
Transactions or approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or
recommend, an Inconsistent Transaction Proposal except as permitted in Section
4.1(c).

        Section 4.2 Certain Agreements. The Company will immediately cease and
cause its Representatives to cease any and all existing activities, discussions
or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any
Inconsistent Transaction Proposal, and shall use its Best Efforts to cause such
parties in possession of confidential information about the Company or its
Subsidiaries that was furnished by or on behalf of the Company or its
Subsidiaries to return or destroy all such information in the possession of any
such party or in the possession of any attorney, agent, advisor or
representative of such party. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the
Company will waive or fail to enforce any provision of any confidentiality
agreement entered into in connection with a potential Inconsistent Transaction
Proposal described in the first sentence of this Section 4.2 or standstill or
similar agreement to which it is a party without the prior written consent of
the Investor.

        Section 4.3 Continuing Covenants. Without limiting the rights of the
holders of Preferred Stock under the Certificate of Designation, the Company
covenants that from and after the date of this Agreement and thereafter so long
as the Investor owns Common Shares and/or shares of Preferred Stock (including
shares underlying the Warrants) representing on an as converted basis, in the
aggregate, an amount at least equal to the Threshold Amount:

               (a) The Company shall not issue or authorize for issuance any
shares of equity securities of the Company in violation of the provisions of the
Certificate of Designation;

               (b) The Company shall use its Best Efforts to maintain its status
as a registrant under the Exchange Act that is not in default or contravention
of any requirement of the Exchange Act, except in the event that there is a
merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or similar
transaction involving the Company and its Subsidiaries and requiring approval of
the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company (provided the Company
complies with its obligations under Section 4.1 in the case of any such
transaction occurring prior to the Second Closing);

               (c) The Company shall use its Best Efforts to maintain the
listing and posting for trading of the Common Shares on Nasdaq, except in the
event that there is a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company or similar transaction involving the Company and its Subsidiaries
and requiring approval of the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company
(provided the Company complies with its obligations under Section 4.1 in the
case of any such transaction occurring prior to the Second Closing);




                                       23
<PAGE>   28

               (d) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available,
solely for the issuance and delivery upon conversion of the Purchased
Securities, the number of Common Shares from time to time issuable upon
conversion of all of the Purchased Securities at the time outstanding. All
Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Securities shall be duly
authorized and, when issued upon such conversion, shall be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable, and admitted for listing and quotation on Nasdaq.

        Section 4.4 Governance.

               (a) On the First Closing Date contemporaneously with the First
Closing, the Company shall immediately expand the size of the Board of Directors
to eight directors and, consistent with the terms of the Certificate of
Designation, appoint to the Board of Directors two individuals designated by the
Investor, as the holder of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock, to serve on the Board of Directors. Subject to their earlier resignation
or removal by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Preferred Stock, the directors designated by such holders shall continue to
serve as directors until the next election of directors.

               (b) Subject to the rights of the holders of a majority of the
Preferred Stock to designate and elect such directors as specified in the
Certificate of Designation (which holders may include the Investor and its
Affiliates), as long as the Investor and its Affiliates continue to own shares
of Preferred Stock and/or Common Shares (including any shares underlying the
Warrants) representing on an as converted basis, in the aggregate, an amount at
least equal to the Threshold Amount, the Investor and its Affiliates shall be
entitled to designate two individuals to be nominated to the Board of Directors
by the Company (or, if the size of the Board of Directors is increased to
include more than eight members, the Investor shall be entitled to designate one
additional individual to be nominated to the Board of Directors by the Company).
Any individual so designated by the Investor pursuant to this paragraph (b) is
referred to herein as a "Designee."

               (c) As long as holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to
designate nominee(s) for election as director(s), such nominee(s) will be
elected to the Board of Directors by the holders of the Preferred Stock voting
separately as a class, as provided in the Certificate of Designation. If holders
of the Preferred Stock are not entitled to designate directors pursuant to the
Certificate of Designation but the Investor and its Affiliates are otherwise
entitled to designate individuals for nomination to the Board of Directors under
this Section 4.4, the Company shall nominate each such Designee for election as
a director as part of the management slate that is included in the proxy
statement (or consent solicitation or similar document) of the Company relating
to the election of directors, and shall provide the same support for the
election of each such Designee as it provides to other persons standing for
election as directors of the Company as part of the Company's management slate.

               (d) Subject to the rights of the holders of a majority of the
Preferred Stock to designate and elect such directors as specified in the
Certificate of Designation (which holders may include the Investor and its
Affiliates) and subject to applicable law, in the event that any Designee shall
cease to serve as a director for any reason (other than the failure of the
stockholders of the Company to elect such person as director), the vacancy
resulting therefrom




                                       24
<PAGE>   29

shall be filled by the remaining Designee(s) designated by the Investor (or if
no Designees then remain, or the remaining Designees are otherwise unable to
fill such vacancy, then such vacancy shall be filled by the persons and entities
entitled to designate individuals to fill such vacancies in accordance with
subparagraph (b) of this Section 4.4).

               (e) For the avoidance of doubt, and subject to the prohibitions
on Investor and its Affiliates contained in Section 5.6 of this Agreement,
nothing in this Section 4.4 or elsewhere in this Agreement (other than as
provided in such Section 5.6) is intended to prohibit the Investor and its
Affiliates from nominating and electing a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors if the Investor and its Affiliates have actual ownership of voting
stock representing in the aggregate a majority of the total voting power.

               (f) The Company will reimburse each Designee that serves as a
director for all reasonable costs and expenses (including travel expenses)
incurred in connection with such director's attendance at meetings of the Board
of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors upon which such director
serves. The Company will not pay such director any other annual or other fees
for attending Board of Directors or committee meetings, except that following
the third anniversary of the date hereof, the Company shall make available and
issue to each such director options to purchase equity securities of the Company
on the same terms and conditions as are then available to the Company's other
non-employee directors. The Company shall indemnify and advance expenses to each
such director to the same extent it indemnifies and advances expenses to its
other directors pursuant to its Organizational Documents and applicable law.

               (g) The right of Investor and its Affiliates to designate any
individuals to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Company under this
Section 4.4 shall not apply during any period that the holders of a majority of
the Preferred Stock then outstanding are entitled to designate and elect, and
have designated and elected, directors, voting as a separate class, pursuant to
paragraph 6(i) of the Certificate of Designation.


                                   ARTICLE V.
                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

        Section 5.1 Preparation Of The Proxy Statement; Stockholder Meeting.

               (a) If the NASD Determination Letter is not obtained on or prior
to May 5, 2000, then within seven (7) days thereafter, the Company shall prepare
and file with the SEC a Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement").
The Investor shall provide to the Company all information required by applicable
securities laws to be included in the Proxy Statement regarding the Investor and
its Affiliates and Designees (as described below in Section 5.1(b)). The Company
will use its Best Efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its
stockholders as promptly as practicable after any comments thereto issued by the
SEC are cleared by the SEC.

               (b) If the NASD Determination Letter is not obtained on or prior
to May 5, 2000, then as promptly as practicable following the date of execution
of this Agreement, the Company will duly call, give notice of, convene and hold
a meeting of its stockholders (the




                                       25
<PAGE>   30

"Company Stockholders Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the
Company stockholders of the Company's issuance and sale of the Additional
Securities to the Investor by means of the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast by holders of the outstanding Common Shares as required by Nasdaq
(such approval of the Company stockholders being referred to herein as the
"Company Stockholder Approval"). The Company will, through its Board of
Directors in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2(q), recommend to its
stockholders that they vote in favor of the Company Stockholders Approval (the
"Board Recommendation"). Such recommendation, together with a copy of the
Houlihan Opinion, shall be included in the Proxy Statement. If the NASD
Determination Letter is not obtained as described above, the Company will use
its Best Efforts to hold such meeting as soon as practicable after the date of
execution of this Agreement.

        Section 5.2 Best Efforts. Each of the parties agrees to use its Best
Efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be
done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things
necessary, proper or advisable, to consummate, in the most expeditious manner
practicable, the Second Closing and the other Contemplated Transactions. The
Investor and the Company will use their Best Efforts and cooperate with one
another (i) in promptly determining whether any filings are required to be made
or consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations are required to be
obtained under any applicable law or regulation or from any governmental
authorities or third parties in connection with the Contemplated Transactions,
(ii) in promptly making any such filings, in furnishing information required in
connection therewith, and (iii) in promptly seeking to obtain any such consents,
approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations, including any notification and
report forms and related material that it may be required to file with the
Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States
Department of Justice under the HSR Act. Each of the parties shall use its Best
Efforts to obtain an early termination of the applicable waiting period under
the HSR Act, and shall make any further filings or information submissions
pursuant thereto that may be necessary, proper or advisable.

        Section 5.3 Public Announcements. The Investor and the Company will
consult with each other before issuing, and provide each other the opportunity
to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with
respect to the Contemplated Transactions, and shall not issue any such press
release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as
may be required by applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant to
any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or as are agreed
upon in advance. The parties agree that the initial press release or releases to
be issued with respect to the Contemplated Transactions shall be mutually agreed
upon prior to the issuance thereof.

        Section 5.4 Takeover Statutes. If any "fair price," "moratorium,"
"control share acquisition" or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation
shall become applicable to the Contemplated Transactions, the Company and the
members of its Board of Directors, on the one hand, and the Investor and its
general partner, on the other hand, shall grant such approvals and take such
actions as are reasonably necessary so that the Contemplated Transactions may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation
on the Contemplated Transactions.




                                       26
<PAGE>   31

        Section 5.5 Restrictive Legend. The Purchased Securities shall be
stamped or otherwise imprinted with the following legend and the Investor agrees
to transfer such Purchased Securities only in accordance therewith:

               "THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
        OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
        ANY STATE AND NEITHER THIS SECURITY, NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, MAY BE
        OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED
        OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (i) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
        SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR (ii) AN
        EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND
        ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, SUCH EXEMPTION TO BE EVIDENCED BY
        SUCH DOCUMENTATION AS THE ISSUER MAY REASONABLY REQUEST."

        Section 5.6 Standstill. Investor agrees that until the earlier of March
29, 2005 and the date that Investor (together with its Affiliates) no longer
beneficially owns Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares (including shares
underlying the Warrants) representing on an as converted basis, in the
aggregate, at least equal to 10.0% of the Company's outstanding Common Shares
(making equitable adjustments for any conversions, reclassifications,
reorganizations, stock dividends, stock splits, reverse splits and similar
events which occur with respect to the Common Stock), neither Investor nor its
Affiliates will, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (other than the nominees or
designees of the Investor) acquire, agree to acquire, make any proposal to
acquire or in any way participate in a "group" (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) to do any of the foregoing, equity securities
(including convertible debt instruments and preferred stock but excluding the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrants or any shares of capital
stock issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof) of the Company
representing more than 30% of the voting power of all voting securities of the
Company on a fully diluted basis; provided, however, that the agreements of
Investor set forth in this Section 5.6 shall not apply (A) following the breach
by the Company of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 4.4(b) or 4.4(c)
(or, except as otherwise provided in the introductory clauses to Sections 4.4(b)
and 4.4(d) and in Section 4.4(g), the failure of the Designees of Investor to be
elected as directors during the period Investor has the right to designate any
individual for nomination to the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 4.4) in
which event such agreements of the Investor shall be of no further force and
effect; (B) in the event that any of the following events occurs (x) the
acquisition (whether by business combination, merger, tender or exchange offer,
or otherwise) by any "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act, and specifically excluding Donald A. Kurz and Stephen P. Robeck
(unless either Mr. Kurz or Mr. Robeck or any of their Affiliates acquire
additional Common Shares (or securities convertible into Common Shares), other
than through the grant or exercise of options approved by the Board of Directors
(or a committee thereof) and issued pursuant to an option plan of the Company,
representing 10% or more of the Common Shares held by Mr. Kurz or Mr. Robeck, as
applicable, as of the date hereof) and the Investor and its Affiliates) of 20%
of any class of equity securities of the Company or of substantially all of the
assets of the Company, (y) the solicitation of proxies by




                                       27
<PAGE>   32

any Person or group (other than Investor and its Affiliates) to engage in any of
the transactions described in (x), or (z) the public announcement of any of the
foregoing, or of any intent to engage in the foregoing, in which event such
agreements of the Investor shall be of no further force or effect; provided that
if any transaction described in clause (y) or (z) above is definitively
abandoned prior to its consummation (or, in the case of a tender or exchange
offer, the Person making such tender or exchange offer does not acquire more
than 20% of any class of equity securities of the Company), then such agreements
shall thereupon be reinstated, subject to further suspension or reinstatement in
the event of the occurrence of further events described in clauses (x), (y) or
(z) of this proviso, respectively; and (C) (x) to the extent of any sales or
transfers of Common Shares prior to the earlier of the Second Closing or the
termination date of the applicable Voting Agreement, by any of the parties to
the Voting Agreements (other than the Investor), or any of their transferees, to
any Person not subject to the Voting Agreements, in which case the Investor
shall be permitted to acquire and/or solicit for the acquisition of Common
Shares up to the aggregate amount of any such sales or transfers, or (y) upon
the material breach of the Voting Agreements by any of the parties thereto
(other than the Investor) prior to the Second Closing or the termination date of
the applicable Voting Agreement, (1) upon which material breach, if arising from
the failure of the breaching party to vote such party's shares in accordance
with the provisions of the Voting Agreements and the Investor is unable to
exercise its proxy with respect to such shares, the Investor shall be entitled
to purchase the number of Common Shares equal to the percentage of ownership of
the outstanding capital stock of the Company owned by such breaching party or
parties immediately following the date of this Agreement (or as of the date any
such breaching party acquired its Common Shares if the breaching party is a
transferee of a party to the Voting Agreements which transferee agreed to bound
by the Voting Agreements), or (2) upon which material breach, if arising from
the sale or other transfer of Common Shares by the breaching party in violation
of the provisions of the Voting Agreements, the Investor shall be entitled to
purchase the number of Common Shares equal to the aggregate amount of any such
sales or transfers.

        Section 5.7 Enforceability Opinion. The Company will use its Best
Efforts to deliver to Investor promptly following the First Closing Date an
opinion of the Company's Delaware counsel that this Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement and the Warrants constitute the legally valid and binding
obligations of the Company and are enforceable under Delaware law.


                                  ARTICLE VI.
                               CLOSING DELIVERIES

        Section 6.1 Conditions To The Obligation Of The Investor To Effect The
First Closing. The obligation of the Investor to effect the transactions to be
effected by it at the First Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction, or
waiver, on or prior to the First Closing Date of the following conditions:

               (a) Representations And Warranties. The representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement, shall be true and correct
in all respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement. The Investor
shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by the chief
executive officer and the secretary of the Company, dated as of the First
Closing Date to such effect.




                                       28
<PAGE>   33

               (b) Performance Of Obligations Of The Company. The Company shall
have performed the obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the First Closing Date in all material respects, and
the Investor shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by the chief executive officer and the secretary of the Company, dated as of the
date of the First Closing Date to such effect.

               (c) Consents, Etc. Except for the NASD Determination Letter, the
Company Stockholder Approval and the expiration or early termination of the
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, the Investor has received evidence,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, that such licenses,
permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of
Governmental Entities and other third parties as are necessary in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby (including those to be consummated at
the Second Closing) have been obtained.

               (d) Delivery Of Certain Documents. The Company shall have
delivered to the Investor (i) a certificate dated as of the First Closing Date
executed by an officer of the Company, attaching true and correct copies of the
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the resolutions of
its Board of Directors made in connection with the Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions, and certifying as to the genuineness and authenticity
of the signature, and the accuracy of the title, of each officer of the Company
executing this Agreement or any document delivered at the First Closing, (ii)
the legal opinion of Riordan and McKinzie dated as of the First Closing Date in
substantially the form attached as Exhibit H hereto and (iii) the legal opinion
of the General Counsel of the Company dated as of the First Closing Date in
substantially the form attached as Exhibit I hereto.

               (e) Delivery And Performance Of Agreements. The Registration
Rights Agreement and the Initial Warrants shall have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company on the First Closing Date. The Voting Agreements shall
have been duly executed and delivered by the stockholders of the Company listed
on the signature page thereof on the First Closing Date.

               (f) Certificate Of Designation. The Company shall have filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Certificate of Designation
and such instrument shall have become effective as of the First Closing Date.

               (g) Board Election. The Board of Directors of the Company shall
have been expanded to eight (8) members and the Investor's two (2) nominees to
the Board of Directors shall have been elected, effective as of the First
Closing.

               (h) Stock Certificate. The Company shall have delivered a duly
executed stock certificate evidencing the Initial Preferred Shares registered in
the name of Investor.

               (i) Delivery of the Initial Warrants. The Company shall have
delivered duly executed Initial Warrants registered in the name of the Investor.

               (j) Receipt. The Company shall have executed and delivered a
receipt confirming receipt of the Initial Purchase Price.




                                       29
<PAGE>   34

        Section 6.2 Conditions To The Obligation Of The Company To Effect The
First Closing. The obligation of the Company to effect the transactions to be
effected by it at the First Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction, or
waiver, on or prior to the First Closing Date of the following conditions:

               (a) Representations And Warranties. The representations and
warranties of the Investor set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct
in all respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement. The Company
shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Investor by an
authorized officer of the Investor, dated as of the date of the First Closing
Date to such effect.

               (b) Performance Of Obligations Of The Investor. The Investor
shall have performed the obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the First Closing Date in all material respects, and
the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Investor
by an authorized officer of the Investor, dated as of the date of the First
Closing Date to such effect.

               (c) Delivery Of Certain Documents. The Investor shall have
delivered to the Company a certificate dated as of the First Closing Date
executed by an authorized officer of the Investor, attaching true and correct
copies of the Certificate of Formation of Investor, as amended to date, and the
resolutions of its managing member made in connection with this Agreement and
the Contemplated Transactions, and certifying as to the genuineness and
authenticity of the signature, and the accuracy of the title, of the authorized
officer of the Investor executing this Agreement or any document delivered at
the First Closing Date.

               (d) Delivery And Performance Of Agreements. The Registration
Rights Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Investor,
and the Initial Purchase Price shall have been delivered to the Company pursuant
to Section 2.2.

               (e) Initial Purchase Price. The Initial Purchase Price shall have
been delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 2.2.

               (f) Receipt. Investor shall have executed and delivered a receipt
confirming Investor's receipt of the certificates evidencing the Initial
Preferred Shares and the Initial Warrants.

        Section 6.3 Conditions To The Investor's Obligation To Effect The Second
Closing. The obligation of the Investor to effect the transactions to be
effected by it at the Second Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction, or
waiver, on or prior to the Second Closing Date of the following conditions:

               (a) HSR Act. The waiting period (and any extension thereof)
applicable to the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired.

               (b) NASD Determination Letter or Company Stockholder Approval.
Either (i) the NASD Determination Letter shall have been obtained in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor or (ii) the Company
Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.




                                       30
<PAGE>   35

               (c) Performance Of Obligations Of The Company. The Company shall
have performed the obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Second Closing Date in all material respects, and
the Investor shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by the chief executive officer and the secretary of the Company, dated as of the
date of the Second Closing Date to such effect.

               (d) Delivery Of Certain Documents. The Company shall have
delivered to the Investor a certificate dated as of the Second Closing Date
executed by an officer of the Company, attaching a true and correct copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date.

               (e) No Injunctions Or Restraints. No temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the
consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions shall be in effect;
provided, however, that the parties hereto shall use their Best Efforts to have
any such injunction, order, restraint or prohibition vacated.

               (f) Nasdaq Listing. The Company shall not have received any
notice (which notice has not subsequently been withdrawn) that the Common Shares
will not be eligible or approved for listing or quotation on Nasdaq as a result
of the Contemplated Transactions.

               (g) Stock Certificate. The Company shall have delivered a duly
executed Stock Certificate evidencing the Additional Preferred Shares registered
in the name of Investor.

               (h) Delivery of the Additional Warrants. The Company shall have
delivered duly executed Additional Warrants registered in the name of Investor.

               (i) Receipt. The Company shall have executed and delivered a
receipt confirming receipt of the Second Purchase Price.

        Section 6.4 Conditions to the Company's Obligation to Effect The Second
Closing.

               (a) HSR Act. The waiting period (and any extension thereof)
applicable to the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired.

               (b) NASD Determination Letter or Company Stockholder Approval.
Either (i) the NASD Determination Letter shall have been obtained in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company or (ii) the Company Stockholder
Approval shall have been obtained.

               (c) Performance Of Obligations Of The Investor. The Investor
shall have performed the obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Second Closing Date in all material respects, and
the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Investor
by an authorized officer of the Investor, dated as of the date of the Second
Closing Date to such effect.

               (d) No Injunctions Or Restraints. No temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the
consummation of any of the Contemplated




                                       31
<PAGE>   36

Transactions shall be in effect; provided, however, that the parties hereto
shall use their Best Efforts to have any such injunction, order, restraint or
prohibition vacated.

               (e) Second Purchase Price. The Second Purchase Price shall have
been delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 2.2.

               (f) Receipt. Investor shall have executed and delivered a receipt
confirming Investor's receipt of the certificates evidencing the Additional
Preferred Shares and the Additional Warrants.


                                  ARTICLE VII.
                                   TERMINATION

        Section 7.1 Termination of Second Closing by Either Party. In the event
that either (a) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
HSR Act shall not have terminated or otherwise expired on or prior to August 31,
2000, or (b) there exists an injunction or restraint described in Section 6.3(e)
or Section 6.4(c) of this Agreement, which injunction or restraint the parties
hereto have been unable to have removed or terminated on or before August 31,
2000 by using their Best Efforts as required by Section 5.2 of this Agreement
(and provided that such injunction or restraint has not been effected by the
party that would otherwise terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
7.1), then either party may elect to terminate such party's obligations to
consummate the Second Closing by written notice to the other on or within five
(5) business days of such date; provided, that a party may not exercise such
termination right if it is in material breach of its obligations under this
Agreement. In the event of such termination by either party pursuant to this
Section 7.1, the remaining terms of this Agreement (including without limitation
Article VIII) shall continue to be in full force and effect, and no party shall
be liable to the other party for any amount as a result of such termination,
except as provided in Section 9.5 of this Agreement.

        Section 7.2 Termination of Second Closing by Investor. If, after the
occurrence of the First Closing, (i) the Board of Directors withdraws or
adversely changes the Board Recommendation, or takes any similar action, or (ii)
the Company fails for any reason to consummate the Second Closing on or before
September 30, 2000 (other than as a result only of (a) the failure of the
waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the HSR Act to
terminate or otherwise expire prior to such time, or (b) the existence of any
injunction or restraint described in Section 6.4(c) of this Agreement) and
provided that the Investor is not then in material breach of its obligations
under this Agreement, then Investor may elect to terminate its obligations to
acquire the Additional Securities and to consummate the Second Closing, by
written notice to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
the Company determines to pursue an Inconsistent Transaction Proposal, and as a
result thereof, fails to consummate the Second Closing on or before September
30, 2000, Investor shall retain the right to terminate its obligations as
described herein, without limiting Investor's rights under Section 4.1 with
respect to the Inconsistent Transaction that is the subject of such Inconsistent
Transaction Proposal. In the event that the Investor elects to exercise its
termination right as provided in this Section 7.2, then the Company shall pay to
Investor a cash fee of $1,000,000, as well as all fees and expenses to be paid
to Investor as provided in Section 9.5 of this Agreement. In the event of such
termination by Investor pursuant to this Section 7.2, the remaining terms of




                                       32
<PAGE>   37

this Agreement (including without limitation Article VIII) shall continue to be
in full force and effect, and no party shall be liable to the other party for
any amount as a result of such termination, except as provided in the preceding
sentence.

        Section 7.3 Termination Date. The date that either the Company or
Investor terminates the parties' obligations to consummate the Second Closing
pursuant to this Article VII, if at all, shall be deemed to be the "Termination
Date".


                                 ARTICLE VIII.
                            INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES

        Section 8.1 Survival; Right To Indemnification Not Affected By
Knowledge. All representations and warranties in this Agreement, the Disclosure
Schedule and in any certificate or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement
shall survive until June 30, 2001; provided, however, that the representations
and warranties in Sections 3.2(c), 3.2(d), 3.2(k) and 3.3(b) shall survive in
perpetuity and the representations and warranties in Section 3.2(j) shall
survive until 30 days following the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitations; further, provided, that this Section 8.1 shall not limit any
covenant, restriction, obligation or other agreement of the parties set forth or
contemplated herein, each of which shall survive for its respective term set
forth in this Agreement. The right to indemnification, payment of Damages or
other remedy based on such representations, warranties, covenants, restrictions,
obligations and agreements will not be affected by any investigation conducted
with respect to, or any Knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any
time, whether before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
the applicable Closing Date, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or
compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation. The
waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any representation or warranty,
or on the performance of or compliance with any covenant or obligation, will not
affect the right to indemnification, payment of Damages, or other remedy based
on such representations, warranties, covenants, and obligations.

        Section 8.2 Indemnification And Payment Of Damages By The Company. The
Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and its Representatives,
partners, controlling persons, and Affiliates and each of their respective
Representatives (collectively, the "Company Indemnified Persons") from and
against, and will pay to the Company Indemnified Persons the amount of, any and
all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses (including costs of
investigation, defense, litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees), whether or
not involving a third-party claim (collectively, "Damages"), arising, directly
or indirectly, from or in connection with:

               (a) any breach of any representation or warranty made by the
Company in this Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule or any other certificate or
document delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, provided that
notice of such breach is given to the Company pursuant to Section 8.5 or 8.6, as
applicable, on or prior to June 30, 2001 (with respect to the representations
and warranties other than those in Sections 3.2(c), 3.2(d), 3.2(j) or 3.2(k)) or
the expiration of the survivability of the representation or warranty in Section
3.2(j) (it being understood that there shall be no time limitation for claims
based on breaches of the




                                       33
<PAGE>   38

F representations and warranties in Sections 3.2(c),
3.2(d) or 3.2(k) or notices in respect of such claims); or

               (b) any breach by the Company of any covenant, restriction,
obligation or agreement of the Company in this Agreement.

        Section 8.3 Indemnification And Payment Of Damages By The Investor. The
Investor will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its respective
Representatives, and Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives
(collectively, the "Investor Indemnified Persons"), and will pay to the Company
the amount of any Damages arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection
with:

               (a) any breach of any representation or warranty made by the
Investor in this Agreement or in any certificate or document delivered by the
Investor pursuant to this Agreement, provided that notice of such breach is
given to the Investor pursuant to Section 8.5 or 8.6, as applicable, on or prior
to June 30, 2001 (with respect to the representations and warranties other than
those in Section 3.3(b)) (it being understood that there shall be no time
limitation for claims based on breaches of the representations and warranties in
Section 3.3(b) or notices in respect of such claims); or

               (b) any breach by the Investor of any covenant, restriction,
obligation or agreement of the Investor in this Agreement.

        Section 8.4 Limitation On Amount.

               (a) The Company will have no liability (for indemnification or
otherwise) with respect to the matters described in clause (a) of Section 8.2
until the total of all Damages attributable to the Company with respect to such
matters taken as a whole exceeds $125,000 (the "Threshold"), after which the
amount of such Damages in excess of such Threshold shall be recoverable
hereunder up to a maximum recovery equal to the entire amount of the Purchase
Price paid by the Investor to the Company hereunder. The Threshold shall be
increased to $250,000 on the date that the Second Closing is consummated, if at
all (or the Termination Date, if applicable) (and, to the extent an
indemnification payment has been made prior to such date, the indemnified party
shall remit, within five (5) business days thereafter, to the indemnifying party
any amount that the indemnifying party paid to the indemnified party that it
would not have been required to pay if the Threshold had been $250,000 at the
time of such payment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8.4(a) will
not apply to any breach of any of the Company's representations and warranties
set forth in Section 3.2(o), and the Company will be liable for all Damages with
respect to such breaches.

               (b) The Investor will have no liability (for indemnification or
otherwise) with respect to the matters described in clause (a) of Section 8.3
until the total of all Damages incurred by the Company with respect to such
matters taken as a whole exceeds the Threshold, after which the amount of such
Damages in excess of the Threshold shall be recoverable hereunder up to a
maximum recovery equal to $10,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Section 8.4(b) will not apply to any breach of any of Investor's representations
and warranties set




                                       34
<PAGE>   39

forth in Section 3.3(e), and the Investor will be liable for all Damages with
respect to such breaches.

        Section 8.5 Procedure For Indemnification -- Third Party Claims.

               (a) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person described in
Section 8.2 or 8.3 of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding against it,
including reasonable details as to the basis for such claim (to the extent
within the Knowledge of the Indemnified Person), such Indemnified Person will,
if a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party under such Section, give
notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of such claim, but the
failure to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying party
of any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Person, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party demonstrates that the defense of such action
is prejudiced by the Indemnified Person's failure to give such notice.

               (b) If any Proceeding referred to in Section 8.5(a) is brought
against an Indemnified Person and it gives notice to the indemnifying party of
the commencement of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it wishes (unless the
indemnifying party fails to provide reasonable assurance to the Indemnified
Person of its financial capacity to defend such Proceeding and provide
indemnification with respect to such Proceeding), to assume the defense of such
Proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person and,
after notice from the indemnifying party to the Indemnified Person of its
election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will
not, as long as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the
Indemnified Person under this Article 8 for any fees of other counsel or any
other expenses with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case
subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection with the defense
of such Proceeding, other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided that
if the indemnifying party is also a party to such Proceeding and, under
applicable standards of professional conduct, joint representation of the
Indemnified Person and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate, then the
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to retain separate counsel whose fees and
expenses shall be paid by the indemnifying party. If the indemnifying party
assumes the defense of a Proceeding, (i) no compromise or settlement of such
claims may be effected by the indemnifying party without the Indemnified
Person's consent not to be unreasonably withheld unless (A) there is no finding
or admission of any violation of Legal Requirements or any violation of the
rights of any Person and no effect on any other claims that may be made against
the Indemnified Person, and (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages
that are paid in full by the indemnifying party; and (ii) the Indemnified Person
will have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such
claims effected without its consent. If notice is given to an indemnifying party
of the commencement of any Proceeding and the indemnifying party does not,
within ten (10) days after the Indemnified Person's notice is given, give notice
to the Indemnified Person of its election to assume the defense of such
Proceeding, the indemnifying party will be bound by any determination made in
such Proceeding or any compromise or settlement effected by the Indemnified
Person. The Indemnified Person shall provide its reasonable cooperation with the
indemnifying party in connection with the defense of a proceeding assumed by the
indemnifying party hereunder, including the provision of information reasonably
requested by the indemnifying party.




                                       35
<PAGE>   40

               (c) The Company and the Investor hereby consent to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of any court in which a Proceeding is brought against
any Indemnified Person for purposes of any claim that an Indemnified Person may
have under this Agreement with respect to such Proceeding or the matters alleged
therein, and agree that process may be served on the Company and the Investor
with respect to such a claim anywhere in the world.

        Section 8.6 Procedure For Indemnification -- Other Claims. A claim for
indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may be asserted
by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought.

        Section 8.7 Remedies Exclusive. The remedies provided in this Article
VIII shall be the exclusive remedies of the parties hereto in connection with
any breach of a representation or warranty contained herein except in the case
of actual fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, with respect to which
the remedies shall not be limited to those set forth herein.


                                  ARTICLE IX.
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

        Section 9.1 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given when received if delivered personally, on the next Business Day if sent by
overnight courier for next Business Day delivery (providing proof of delivery),
when confirmation is received, if sent by facsimile or in 5 Business Days if
sent by U.S. registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (return receipt
requested) to the other parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

               (a) if to Investor, to:

               Crown Acquisition Partners, LLC
               660 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
               New York, New York
               Attn:  Kenneth Squire
               Facsimile:  (212) 207-8001

               with a copy to:

               Latham & Watkins
               633 West Fifth Street, Suite 4000
               Los Angeles, California 90071-2007
               Attn:  W. Alex Voxman
               Facsimile:  (213) 891-8763




                                       36
<PAGE>   41

               (b) if to the Company, to:

               Equity Marketing, Inc.
               6330 San Vicente Blvd.
               Los Angeles, California 90048
               Attn:  Leland P. Smith
               Facsimile:  (323) 932-4488

               with a copy to:

               Riordan & McKinzie
               300 S. Grand Avenue, 29th Floor
               Los Angeles, California 90071
               Attn:  Thomas M. Cleary
               Facsimile:  (213) 229-8550

        Section 9.2 Interpretation. A reference made in this Agreement to an
Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, shall be to an Article or Section of, or
an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table
of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."

        Section 9.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts (which may be by facsimile), all of which shall be considered one
and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts
have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

        Section 9.4 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement
together constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject hereof and thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter of such agreements. Except as explicitly provided in Sections 8.2
and 8.3, this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any Person other than the
parties any rights or remedies.

        Section 9.5 Costs And Expenses. All costs and expenses in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions (including, irrespective of whether
the Closings shall have occurred, costs incurred by the Investor and its
Affiliates in connection with an investment in the Company, which include,
without limitation, all reasonable attorney fees and other consultant and
advisor fees, including all fees and expenses arising from any due diligence
investigation and reasonable fees of brokers, investment bankers or financial
advisors, and all filing fees under the HSR Act) and all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Investor and its Affiliates (excluding,
unless the Company otherwise agrees, fees of brokers, investment bankers,
consultants and financial and other advisors) in connection with Investor and
its Affiliates providing strategic advice to the Company, in each case whether
incurred prior to or after the




                                       37
<PAGE>   42

consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, shall be borne by the Company,
and the Company shall reimburse the Investor for all such costs and expenses (i)
no later than 30 days following the First Closing Date (with respect to costs
and expenses incurred through the First Closing), and (ii) for all other costs
and expenses, within 30 days following receipt by the Company from Investor or
its Affiliates of an invoice for such costs and expenses (together with such
documentation as may reasonably be requested by the Company).

        Section 9.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.

        Section 9.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties without the prior
written consent of the other parties. Any assignment in violation of the
preceding sentence shall be void. Subject to the preceding two sentences, this
Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by,
the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

        Section 9.8 Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the State of Delaware
or of the United States located in the State of Delaware in the event any
dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions,
and each party agrees (a) it will not attempt to deny or defeat personal
jurisdiction or venue in any such court by motion or other request for leave
from any such court and (b) it will not bring any action relating to this
Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions in any court other than any
such court.

        Section 9.9 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion
of any provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be
effective and valid under applicable law but if any provision or portion of any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision
or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been
contained herein, so long as the economic and legal substance of the
Contemplated Transactions are not affected in a manner materially adverse to any
party hereto.

        Section 9.10 Further Assurances. The parties agree (i) to furnish upon
request to each other such further information, (ii) to execute and deliver to
each other such other documents, and (iii) to do such other acts and things, all
as the other party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the
intent of this Agreement and the documents referred to in this Agreement.




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<PAGE>   43

        Section 9.11 Construction. In entering into this Agreement, each party
represents and warrants that such party does so freely and voluntarily, after
having had the opportunity to meet and confer with such party's respective
attorneys regarding the contents and legal effect of this Agreement. Each party
represents and warrants that such party has full power and authority to enter
into and execute this Agreement. Every covenant, term, and provision of this
Agreement shall be construed simply according to its fair meaning and not
strictly for or against any party. In the event any claim is made by any party
relating to any conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no
presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the
fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party
or such party's counsel.

        Section 9.12 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by mutual
agreement of the parties at any time, but only pursuant to an instrument in
writing duly executed on behalf of each of the Company and the Investor.



                            (Signature page follows)



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<PAGE>   44


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.



                                    CROWN ACQUISITION PARTNERS, LLC



                                    By: /s/ JEFFREY S. DEUTSCHMAN
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                         Name: Jeffrey S. Deutschman
                                         Its:  Manager


                                    EQUITY MARKETING, INC.



                                    By: /s/ DONALD A. KURZ
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Donald A. Kurz
                                         Its:   Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                                Executive Officer




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