EXHIBIT 10.1



 


EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT


 


THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated as of July 15, 2016, but effective as of May 3, 2016 (the “Effective
Date”), by and between Wizard World, Inc., a Delaware corporation with offices at 2201 Park Place, Suite 101, El Segundo,
California 90245 (the “Company”), and John D. Maatta, an individual and resident of the State of California
with an office address c/o Wizard World, Inc., 2201 Park Place, Suite 101, El Segundo, California 90245 (the “Executive”
and, together with the Company, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).


 


RECITALS


 


WHEREAS,
the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) believes Executive possesses certain knowledge and skills
relating to the Company’s business that the Company wishes to obtain for the development and success of the Company’s
business; and


 


WHEREAS,
the Company wishes to employ Executive, and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions contained
herein.


 


NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above and for other good and valuable consideration mutually exchanged by
the Parties, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:


 


1.
Employment. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.


 


2.
Duties. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive shall have such duties, responsibilities and authority as are
commensurate and consistent with his position and as are assigned to him by the Board. Such duties shall include, without limitation,
responsibility for all ongoing operations of the Company and responsibility for insuring that the Company meets all stated financial
goals and objectives. Specific duties may include preparing materials for and participating in review meetings with the Board
(the “Review Meetings”). The Board shall determine from time to time and advise Executive regarding the agenda
for the Review Meetings and the required supporting documents and analyses, which are generally expected to include budgets, growth
prospects, projections and targets, as well as comparisons with respect to prior periods. The Board shall also determine from
time to time the frequency and timing of the Review Meetings. Executive shall devote his full business time and efforts to the
performance of his duties hereunder, unless otherwise explicitly authorized by the Board. The services to be provided by Executive
will be performed in Los Angeles, California. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the expenditure of reasonable amounts of time by
Executive for the making of passive personal investments, the conduct of private business affairs and charitable activities shall
be allowed, provided that such activities do not materially interfere with the services required to be rendered to the
Company hereunder and do not violate the restrictive covenants set forth herein. Notwithstanding this Paragraph 2, Executive may
continue the business affairs and activities, and maintain the titles associated with such, listed on Schedule 2.


 




    	 	 1	 



    	 		 



    


 


3.
Term of Employment. Commencing on the Effective Date, the term of Executive’s employment hereunder, unless sooner
terminated as provided herein, is for a period of two (2) years from the Effective Date, ending on May 3, 2018 (the “Initial
Term”). The term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional terms of one (1) year each (each a
“Renewal Term”), unless either Party gives prior written notice of non-renewal (“Non-Renewal Notice”)
to the other Party no later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then current Term (as defined herein). For purposes
of this Agreement, the Initial Term and any Renewal Term are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Term.”


 


4.
Compensation of Executive.


 


(a)
Base Salary. Beginning on the Effective Date, the Company shall pay Executive as compensation for his services hereunder,
in equal installments paid twice per month during the Term, a base salary of $20,833.33 per month for an aggregate of $250,000
per year (the “Base Salary”), less such deductions as shall be required to be withheld by applicable law and
regulations.


 


(b)
Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, provided that in the Board’s determination the Executive has performed
the duties set forth in Section 2 hereof, the Executive may receive an annual bonus in an amount and under terms determined by
the Compensation Committee of the Board and approved by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion.


 


(c)
Equity. As additional consideration for entering into this Agreement, the Executive shall receive the following:


 


(i)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on June 30, 2016 and expiring May
3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;


 


(ii)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on September 30, 2016 and expiring
May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;


 


(iii)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on December 31, 2016 and expiring
May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;


 


(iv)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on March 31, 2017 and expiring May
3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;


 


(v)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on June 30, 2017 and expiring May
3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;


 


(vi)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on September 30, 2017 and expiring
May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;


 




    	 	 2	 



    	 		 



    


 


(vii)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on December 31, 2017 and expiring
May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share;


 


(viii)
100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on March 31, 2018 and expiring May
3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share; and


 


(ix)
300,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting vesting upon a Change in Control
(as defined below) during the Term, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share.


 


(d)
Expenses. Upon Executive’s furnishing to the Company customary and reasonable documentary support (such as receipts
or paid bills) evidencing reasonable auditable, out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred or paid by Executive in the course of
his employment (including travel expenses), and containing sufficient information to establish the amount, date, place and essential
character of the expenditure, the Company shall advance or reimburse Executvive for such expenses in accordance with the Company’s
policy for reimbursement of expenses. For greater certainty, “reasonable” for purposes of this provision with respect
to airfare for travel greater than two hours shall be deemed to be (i) a first class or other premium airline ticket when there
are only two (2) classes of tickets available for any given flight and (ii) a business airline ticket when there are three (3)
or more classes of tickets available for any given flight.


 


(e)
Benefits. Executive is entitled to participate in such pension, profit sharing, group insurance, hospitalization, and group
health (for Executive and his immediate family) and benefit plans and all other benefits and plans, including perquisites, if
any, as the Company provides to its senior executives (the “Benefit Plans”).


 


5.
Termination.


 


(a)
This Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon the happening of any of the following events:


 


(i)
upon Executive’s death;


 


(ii)
upon Executive’s Total Disability;


 


(iii)
upon the expiration of the Initial Term of this Agreement or any Renewal Term thereof, if either Party has provided a timely Non-Renewal
Notice;


 


(iv)
at Executive’s option, in the event of an act by the Company constituting “Good Reason” (as defined herein)
for termination by Executive;


 


(v)
at the Company’s option, in the event of an act by Executive constituting “Cause” for termination by the Company;
or


 


(vi)
upon Mutal Voluntary Termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.


 




    	 	 3	 



    	 		 



    


 


(b)
For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to be suffering from a “Total Disability” if Executive
is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity (i) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
that can be expected to result in death, or last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; (ii) by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or last for continuous period of not less
than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health
plan covering employees of the Company; or (iii) determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration. Any
question as to the existence of a disability shall be determined by the written opinion of Executive’s regularly attending
physician (or his guardian) (or the Social Security Administration, where applicable).


 


(c)
For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” means that Executive has resigned due to (i) any material
diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities (unless Executive has agreed to such diminution), except
in connection with the termination of his employment for disability, retirement, Executive’s death, or by Executive other
than for Good Reason; (ii) a material change in the chain of reporting referenced in Section 2 (unless Executive has agreed to
such change); (iii) other than as expressly set forth herein, any material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary (unless
Executive has agreed to such diminution) or (iv) any material violation by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement.
Prior to Executive terminating his employment with the Company for Good Reason, Executive must provide written notice to the Company
within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of such condition, that such Good Reason exists and setting forth in detail
the grounds Executive believes constitutes Good Reason. If the Company does not cure the conditions constituting Good Reason within
ninety (90) days after receipt of written notice thereof from Executive, or if such conditions are not capable of being cured
in that time, a cure shall not have been diligently initiated by the Company within the ninety (90) days, then Executive’s
employment shall be deemed terminated for Good Reason as of the date of Executive’s notice to the Company.


 


(d)
For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means termination by Company of Executive’s employment
(i) by reason of Executive’s willful dishonesty towards, fraud upon, or deliberate injury or attempted injury to, the Company,
(ii) by reason of Executive’s material breach of this Agreement; (iii) by reason of Executive’s gross negligence or
intentional misconduct with respect to the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement; (iv) or by reason of
Executive’s conviction of or entering of a guilty plea or a plea of no contest with respect to a felony or any crime involving
fraud, larceny or embezzlement resulting in material harm to the Company by Executive, provided, however, that no such termination
will be deemed to be a termination for Cause unless the Company has provided Executive with written notice of what it reasonably
believes are the grounds for any termination for Cause and Executive fails to take appropriate remedial actions during the fourteen
(14) day period following receipt of such written notice.


 




    	 	 4	 



    	 		 



    


 


(e)
For the purposes of this agreement, the term “Mutual Voluntary Termination” means termination of the Executive
employment with the Company contemplated herein, upon the mutual agreement of the Company and Executive.


 


6.
Effects of Termination or Change in Control


 


(a)
Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) or (ii), in addition to the accrued but unpaid compensation
and vacation pay through the date of Executive’s death or Total Disability and any other benefits accrued to him under any
Benefit Plans outstanding at such time and the reimbursement of documented, unreimbursed expenses incurred prior to such date,
Executive or his estate or beneficiaries, as applicable, shall be entitled to the following severance benefits: (i) six (6) months’
Base Salary at the then current rate, payable in a lump sum, less withholding of applicable taxes; (ii) continued provision for
a period of twelve (12) months following Executive’s death of benefits under Benefit Plans extended from time to time by
the Company to its senior executives; and (iii) payment on a pro-rated basis of any bonus or other payments earned in connection
with any bonus plan to which Executive was a participant as of the date of death or Total Disability.


 


(b)
Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii), where the Company has offered to renew the term
of Executive’s employment for an additional one (1) year period and Executive chooses not to continue in the employ of the
Company, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the accrued but unpaid compensation and vacation pay through the date of
termination and any other benefits accrued to him under any Benefit Plans outstanding at such time and the reimbursement of documented,
unreimbursed expenses incurred prior to such date.


 


(c)
Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 5(a)(iv), in addition to the accrued but unpaid compensation
and vacation pay through the date of termination and any other benefits accrued to him under any Benefit Plans outstanding at
such time and the reimbursement of documented, unreimbursed expenses incurred prior to such date, Executive shall be entitled
to the following severance benefits: (i) the greater of twelve (12) months’ Base Salary at the then current rate or the
remainder of the Base Salary due under this Agreement, to be paid in equal bi-weekly installments, less withholding of all applicable
taxes, at such times he would have received them if there was no termination; (ii) continued provision for a period of twelve
(12) months after the date of termination of the benefits under Benefit Plans extended from time to time by the Company to its
senior executives; and (iii) payment on a pro-rated basis of any bonus or other payments earned in connection with any bonus plan
to which Executive was a participant as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment.


 


(d)
Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 5(a)(v) or (vi), the Company shall reimburse the documented,
unreimbursed expenses incurred prior to such date of termination and Executive shall be entitled to the following severance benefits:
accrued and unpaid Base Salary and vacation pay through the date of termination, less withholding of applicable taxes. Executive
shall have any conversion rights available under the Company’s or Benefit Plans and as otherwise provided by law, including
the Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.


 




    	 	 5	 



    	 		 



    


 


(e)
Upon a Change in Control during the Term, all options issued to Executive pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof shall be deemed fully
vested as of the date of the Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement “Change in Control” means the
occurrence of any of the following events:


 


(i)
Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power
of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities or fifty percent (50%) or more of the fair market value of the Company;


 


(ii)
Within a twelve month period, any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act)
becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities
of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting
securities;


 


(iii)
Within a twelve month period, less than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. For purposes of this Agreement, “Incumbent
Directors” means directors who (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof or (B) are elected, or nominated
for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or
nomination; or


 


(iv)
The Company has sold all or substantially all of its assets to another person or entity that is not a majority-owned subsidiary
of the Company.


 


Notwithstanding
the preceding, the above-listed events must satisfy the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) in order to
be deemed a Change in Control.


 


(f)
Any payments required to be made under this Section 6 by the Company to Executive shall continue to Executive’s beneficiaries
in the event of his death until paid in full.


 


7.
Vacations. Executive shall be entitled to a vacation of three (3) weeks per year, during which period his salary shall
be paid in full. Executive shall take his vacation at such time or times as Executive and the Company shall determine is mutually
convenient. Any vacation not taken in one (1) year shall not accrue, provided that if vacation is not taken due to the
Company’s business necessities, up to two (2) weeks’ vacation may carry over to the subsequent year.


 


8.
Covenant Not To Disclose, Compete or Solicit. Upon execution of this Agreement, Executive and the Company shall re-affirm
and enter into that certain Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A (“Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement”).


 




    	 	 6	 



    	 		 



    


 


9.
Ownership of Materials.


 


(a)
Any and all inventions, product, discoveries, improvements, processes, formulae, manufacturing methods or techniques, designs
or styles, software applications, programs, shows, conventions, and characters (collectively, “Creative Materials”)
made, developed or created by Executive, alone or in conjunction with others, during regular hours of work or otherwise, during
the term of Executive’s employment with the Company, or any of its parents, subsidiaries, shall be promptly disclosed by
Executive to the Company, shall be assigned by Executive to the Company and shall be the Company’s exclusive property.


 


(b)
All copyrightable works comprising Creative Materials shall be considered “works made for hire” as defined in the
United States Copyright Act, whether published or unpublished, and all rights, title, and interest to all such copyrightable works
shall be the exclusive property of the Company, and the Company shall be deemed to be the author and owner of such copyrightable
works. Executive shall not distribute the copyrightable works.


 


(c)
Executive will, upon the Company’s request and without additional compensation, execute any documents necessary or advisable
in the opinion of Executive’s legal counsel to direct the issuance of intellectual property rights to the Company with respect
to Creative Materials that are to be the Company’s exclusive property under this Section 9 or to vest in the Company title
to the Creative Materials; the expense of securing any intellectual property rights, however, shall be borne by the Company.


 


(d)
Executive will, upon the Company’s request and without additional compensation, assist the Company procuring, maintaining,
enforcing and defending intellectual property rights and protection throughout the world in relation to Creative Materials and
the copyrightable works comprising Creative Materials. To the extent not covered by the foregoing, the Company shall have the
fully paid-up and irrevocable right to use and disclose freely and for any purpose all information and ideas disclosed by Executive
to the Company in performing Executive’s duties as set forth in Section 2 hereof.


 


10.
Section 409A.


 


(a)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if at the time of Executive’s separation from service
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Company
determines that Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then
to the extent any payment or benefit that Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of Executive’s separation
from service would be considered deferred compensation subject to the twenty percent (20%) additional tax imposed pursuant to
Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be
payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after Executive’s
separation from service, or (ii) Executive’s death (the “Six Month Delay Rule”).


 


(b)
For purposes of this Section 10, amounts payable under the Agreement should not be considered a deferral of compensation subject
to Section 409A to the extent provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (i.e., short-term deferrals), Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) (i.e., separation pay plans, including the exception under subparagraph (iii)), and other applicable provisions
of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1 through A-6.


 




    	 	 7	 



    	 		 



    


 


(c)
To the extent that the Six Month Delay Rule applies to payments otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall
include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application
of the Six Month Delay Rule, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule.


 


(d)
To the extent that the Six Month Delay Rule applies to the provision of benefits (including, but not limited to, life insurance
and medical insurance), such benefit coverage shall nonetheless be provided to Executive during the first six months following
his separation from service (the “Six Month Period”), provided that, during such Six-Month Period, Executive
pays to the Company, on a monthly basis in advance, an amount equal to the Monthly Cost (as defined below) of such benefit coverage.
The Company shall reimburse Executive for any such payments made by Executive in a lump sum not later than thirty (30) days following
the sixth month anniversary of Executive’s separation from service. For purposes of this subparagraph, “Monthly
Cost” means the minimum dollar amount which, if paid by Executive on a monthly basis in advance, results in Executive
not being required to recognize any federal income tax on receipt of the benefit coverage during the Six Month Period.


 


(e)
The Parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any
provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such
a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. The Parties agree that this Agreement may be amended,
as reasonably requested by either Party, and as may be necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related
rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either Party.


 


(f)
The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to Executive or any other person if any provisions
of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an
exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section.


 


11.
Insurance. The Company shall at all times during the Term obtain and maintain director and officers liability insurance
policies covering Executive in his capacity as an executive officer and director, which insurance shall include a standard “tail”
provision, in such amounts, and with such companies as shall be approved by both Executive and the Board.


 


12.
Director Appointment; Nomination. The Board shall at all times during the Term take all reasonable steps necessary to appoint
Executive as a member of the Board and to maintain such appointment. In addition, the Board shall at all times during the Term
take all steps necessary to nominate Executive as a nominee for director for the purposes of any meeting or consent of the shareholders
conducted or taken during the Term.


 




    	 	 8	 



    	 		 



    


 


13.
Indemnification Agreement. It shall be a condition to Executive’s commencement of services under this Agreement that
the Company and Executive shall have entered into an Indemnification Agreement in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the “Indemnification
Agreement”).


 


14.
Miscellaneous.


 


(a)
Neither Executive nor the Company may assign or delegate any of their respective rights under this Agreement without the express
written consent of the other. This Agreement constitutes and embodies the full and complete understanding and agreement of the
Parties with respect to Executive’s employment by the Company, supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, whether
oral or written, between Executive and the Company, and shall not be amended, modified or changed except by an instrument in writing
executed by the Party to be charged. The invalidity or partial invalidity of one or more provisions of this Agreement shall not
invalidate any other provision of this Agreement. No waiver by either Party of any provision or condition to be performed shall
be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or subsequent time.


 


(b)
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon and enforceable against, the Parties and their respective successors,
heirs, beneficiaries and permitted assigns.


 


(c)
The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.


 


(d)
All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, or by private overnight mail service (e.g. Federal Express) to the Party at the address set forth above or to such other
address as either Party may hereafter give notice of in accordance with the provisions hereof. Notices shall be deemed given on
the sooner of the date actually received or the third business day after sending.


 


(e)
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of without reference to principles
of conflicts of laws and each of the Parties irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts
located in the State of .


 


(f)
This Agreement supersedes, replaces and merges all previous agreements and discussions relating to the same or similar subject
matters between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.


 


(g)
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one of the same instrument. The Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.


 


[-signature
page follows-]


 




    	 	 9	 



    	 		 



    


 


IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Employment Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first indicated above.


 


	 	THE
    COMPANY
	 	 	 
	 	WIZARD
    WORLD, INC.
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Greg Suess
	 	 	Greg
    Suess
	 	 	Chairman
    of the Compensation Committee
	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE
	 	 
	 	/s/ John D. Maatta
	 	John
    D. Maatta


 




    	 	S-1	 



    	 	 	 



    


 


EXHIBIT
A


 


NON-COMPETE,
NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT


 


See
attached.


 




    	 	Exhibit
                                         A
	 



    	 	 	 



    


 


NON-COMPETE,
NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT


 


THIS
NON-COMPETE, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) dated as of July 15, 2016 but effective as
of May 3, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Wizard World, Inc., a Delaware corporation with a principal
place of business at 225 California Street, El Segundo, California 90245 (“Employer”), and John D. Maatta, an individual
and resident of the State of California with a business address c/o Wizard World, Inc. 225 California Street, El Segundo, California
90245 (“Employee” and together with Employer, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).


 


WITNESSETH:


 


WHEREAS,
Employee and Employer are entering into that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement;


 


WHEREAS,
in connection with such employment, Employee has been and may be given further access to, generate, or otherwise come into contact
with certain proprietary and/or confidential information of Employer or clients of Employer; and


 


WHEREAS,
Employee and Employer desire to prevent the dissemination, unauthorized disclosure or misuse of such information.


 


NOW
THEREFORE, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:


 


1.
Covenant Not to Solicit. During the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending upon the termination of Employee’s
employment for any reason, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, for Employee’s benefit or the benefit of a third
party, (i) induce or attempt to induce any employees of Employer to leave the employ of Employer or diminish his or her relationship
or Employer or (ii) solicit the business of any client or customer of Employer, or any client or customer that could reasonably
be expected to be a client or customer of Employer, during Employee’s period of employment with the Company.


 


2.
Covenant Not to Compete. Except for the activities set forth in Schedule I hereto and as a passive investor in less
than five percent (5%) of the equity securities of a publicly held company, during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending upon the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee shall not engage in, own or control an interest
in, or act as principal, director or officer of, or consultant to, any firm or corporation (i) engaged in a venture or business
substantially similar to that of Employer or (ii) which is in direct or indirect competition with Employer within the United States
of America, its territories and possessions.


 


3.
Proprietary Information.


 


(a)
For purposes of this Agreement, “Proprietary Information” shall mean any information belonging to the business of
Employer that has not previously been publicly released by duly authorized representatives of Employer and shall include (but
shall not be limited to) information encompassed in all proposals, marketing and sales plans, financial information, costs, pricing
information, computer programs (including source code, object code, algorithms and models), customer information, customer lists,
and all methods, concepts, know-how or ideas and confidential information belonging to Employer and Employer’s customers
or clients. Employee agrees to regard and preserve as confidential all Proprietary Information whether Employee has such Proprietary
Information in Employee’s memory or in writing or other physical form.


 




    	 	Exhibit
                                         A
 A-2	 



    	 	 	 



    


 


(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Proprietary Information” shall not include information that (i) is disseminated to
the public at no fault of Employee, (ii) was obtained from a third party that did not have an obligation of confidentiality to
Employer, (iii) is already in the possession of Employee and (iv) constitutes any information proposals, marketing and sales plans,
financial information, costs, pricing information, computer programs (including source code, object code, algorithms and models),
customer information, customer lists, and all methods, concepts, know-how or ideas, created or generated by Employee for which
Employer has not been fully compensated.


 


(c)
Employee will not, without written authority from Employer to do so, directly or indirectly, disclose or use any Proprietary Information
for Employee’s benefit or purposes, nor disclose any Proprietary Information to others, either during the term of Employee’s
employment by Employer or thereafter, except as required by the conditions of Employee’s employment by Employer.


 


(d)
No work or intellectual property created by Employee shall be deemed work for hire and Employer shall only have the rights to
such work or intellectual property after fully compensating Employee for such work or intellectual property.


 


4.
Saving Provision. Employee expressly agrees that the covenants set forth in this Agreement are being given to Employer
in connection with the employment of Employee by Employer and that such covenants are intended to protect Employer against the
competition by Employee, within the terms stated, to the fullest extent deemed reasonable and permitted in law and equity. In
the event that the foregoing limitations upon the conduct of Employee are beyond those permitted by law, such limitations, both
as to time and geographical area, shall be, and be deemed to be, reduced in scope and effect to the maximum extent permitted by
law.


 


5.
Injunctive Relief. Employee acknowledges that (i) disclosure of any Proprietary Information or breach of any of the non-competitive
covenants or agreements contained herein will give rise to irreparable injury to Employer or clients of Employer that would be
inadequately compensable in damages. Accordingly, Employer, or where appropriate a client of Employer, may seek and obtain injunctive
relief against the breach or threatened breach of the foregoing undertakings, in addition to any other legal remedies which may
be available. Employee further acknowledges and agrees that in the event of the termination of employment with Employer, (ii)
Employee’s experience and capabilities are such that Employee can obtain employment in business activities which are of
a different or non-competing nature with his or her activities as an employee of Employer and (iii) the enforcement of a remedy
hereunder by way of injunction shall not prevent Employee from earning a reasonable livelihood. Employee further acknowledges
and agrees that the covenants contained herein are necessary for the protection of the Company’s legitimate business interests
and are reasonable in scope and content, and that Employee will, promptly upon the request of Employer at any time, cause any
subsequent employer to execute and deliver to Employer a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement in substantially the form
of Section 2 hereof and otherwise satisfactory to Employer.


 




    	 	Exhibit
                                         A
 A-3	 



    	 	 	 



    


 


6.
Enforceability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be enforceable notwithstanding the existence of any claim or cause
of action of Employee against Employer whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise.


 


7.
Term. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall terminate upon the termination of Employee’s employment
for any reason.


 


8.
Governing Law. The Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and any dispute under
this Agreement will only be brought in the state and federal courts located in the State of New York.


 


9.
General. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement
may be modified only by an instrument in writing signed by both Parties hereto. Any notice to be given under this Agreement shall
be sufficient if it is in writing and is sent by certified or registered mail to Employee at his residence address as the same
appears on the books and records of Employer or to Employer at its principal office, attention of the President, or otherwise
as directed by Employer, from time to time. Non-compliance with any one paragraph of this Agreement shall not have an effect on
the validity of any other part of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement relating to confidentiality or non-competition
shall survive the termination of employment, however caused.


 


[-signature
page follows-]





 




    	 	Exhibit
                                         A
 A-4	 



    	 	 	 



    







 


IN
WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned execute this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.


 


	 	EMPLOYER
	 	 	 
	 	WIZARD
    WORLD, INC.
	 	 	 
	 	By:	
	 	 	Greg
    Suess
	 	 	Chairman
    of the Compensation Committee
	 	 	 
	 	EMPLOYEE
	 	 
	 	
	 	John
    D. Maatta


 




    	 	Exhibit
                                         A
 A-5	 



    	 	 	 



    


 


SCHEDULE
2


 


PERMITTED
BUISINESS AFFAIRS AND ACTIVITIES





 


1.
President of UNICEF of Southern California, and member of the Southern California Board.


 


2.
Board member of the Asia Society.


 


3.
Of Counsel concerning matters of media and entertainment to a law firm.


 


4.
Member of the Board of Directors of Trader Vic’s Corporation.


 


5.
Holder of license to develop domestic Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Bars.


 


6.
Member of Little Big House LLC, whether direct or indirect.


 


7.
Chairmain of the UNICEF Chinese Childrens’ Initiative.


 


8.
Member of the Advisory Board of Start Engine.


 




    	 	Schedule
                                         2