Document:

Exhibit

EXHIBIT  10.7

KINDRED BIOSCIENCES, INC.
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT NOTICE
KINDRED BIOSCIENCES, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Participant”) the number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award (the “Shares”) set forth below. The Shares are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Restricted Stock Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and the Restricted Stock Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in the Grant Notice and the Agreement.
	
		
	Participant:
	 

	 
	 

	Grant Date:
	 

	 
	 

	Total Number of Shares of Common Stock
	 

	 
	 

	Vesting Schedule:
	 

[To be specified in individual agreements]

By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and the Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and the Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing the Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Grant Notice or the Agreement.
	
		
	KINDRED BIOSCIENCES, INC.
	PARTICIPANT

	 
	 

	By:
	By:

	Print Name:
	Print Name:

	Title:
	Title:

	 
	 

	 
	 

EXHIBIT  10.7

EXHIBIT A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT NOTICE
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, the Company has granted to Participant the number of Shares set forth in the Grant Notice.
ARTICLE I.GENERAL
1.Defined Terms. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.
2.Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The Shares issued to Participant pursuant to the Grant Notice are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
ARTICLE II.ISSUANCE OF SHARES
1.Issuance of Shares. In consideration of Participant’s past and/or continued employment with or service to the Company or a Subsidiary and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company has granted to Participant the number of Shares set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan.
2.Issuance Mechanics.  As of the Grant Date, the Company shall issue the Shares in the form of Common Stock (“Stock”) to Participant and shall (a) cause a stock certificate or certificates representing such shares of Stock to be registered in the name of Participant, or (b) cause such shares of Stock to be held in book-entry form. If a stock certificate is issued, it shall be delivered to and held in custody by the Company and shall bear the restrictive legends required by Section 5.1. If the shares of Stock are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III.  FORFEITURE AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
1.Forfeiture Restriction. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.2 below, in the event of Participant’s termination of Continuous Service for any reason, including as a result of Participant’s death or Disability, all of the Unreleased Shares (as defined below) shall thereupon be forfeited immediately and without any further action by the Company (the “Forfeiture Restriction”), except as otherwise provided in a written agreement between Participant and the Company. Upon the occurrence of such forfeiture, the Company shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the Unreleased Shares and all rights and interests therein or relating thereto, and the Company shall have the right to retain and transfer to its own name the number of Unreleased Shares being forfeited by Participant. The Unreleased Shares shall be held by the Company in accordance with Section 3.3 until the Shares are forfeited as provided in this Section 3.1, until such Unreleased Shares are fully released from the Forfeiture Restriction as provided in Section 3.2 or until such time as this Agreement is no longer in effect. Participant hereby authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Company or other officer specified by the Board or  committee which has been delegated administration of the Plan pursuant to Section 2 of the Plan (the “Administrator”), to transfer any Unreleased Shares that are forfeited pursuant to this Section 3.1 from Participant to the Company.
2.Release of Shares from Forfeiture Restriction. The Shares shall be released from the Forfeiture Restriction in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice. Any of the Shares which, from time to time, have not yet been released from the Forfeiture Restriction are referred to herein as “Unreleased Shares.” In the event any of the Unreleased Shares are released from the Forfeiture Restriction, any Retained Distributions (as defined below) paid on such Unreleased Shares shall be promptly paid by the Company to Participant. As soon as administratively practicable following the 

EXHIBIT  10.7

release of any Shares from the Forfeiture Restriction, the Company shall, as applicable, either deliver to Participant the certificate or certificates representing such Shares in the Company’s possession belonging to Participant, or, if the Shares are held in book-entry form, then the Company shall remove the notations indicating that the shares are subject to the restrictions of this Agreement. Participant (or the beneficiary or personal representative of Participant in the event of Participant’s death or incapacity, as the case may be) shall deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances as the Company or its representatives deem necessary or advisable in connection with any such delivery.
3.Escrow.
(a)The Unreleased Shares shall be held by the Company until such Unreleased Shares are forfeited as provided in Section 3.1, until such Unreleased Shares are fully released from the Forfeiture Restriction as provided in Section 3.2 or until such time as this Agreement is no longer in effect. Participant shall not retain physical custody of any certificates representing Unreleased Shares issued to Participant. Participant, by acceptance of this Award, shall be deemed to appoint, and does so appoint, the Company and each of its authorized representatives as Participant’s attorney(s)-in-fact to effect any transfer of forfeited Unreleased Shares (and Retained Distributions, if any, paid on such forfeited Unreleased Shares) to the Company as may be required pursuant to the Plan or this Agreement, and to execute such representations or other documents or assurances as the Company or such representatives deem necessary or advisable in connection with any such transfer. To the extent allowable by applicable law, the Company, or its designee, shall not be liable for any act it may do or omit to do with respect to holding the Shares in escrow and while acting in good faith and in the exercise of its judgment.
(b)The Company will retain custody of all cash dividends and other distributions (“Retained Distributions”) made or declared with respect to Unreleased Shares (and such Retained Distributions will be subject to the Forfeiture Restriction and the other terms and conditions under this Agreement that are applicable to the Shares) until such time, if ever, as the Unreleased Shares with respect to which such Retained Distributions shall have been made, paid or declared shall have become vested pursuant to the Grant Notice. Retained Distributions that were made or declared in cash will be deemed reinvested in notional shares of Stock such that upon release and distribution of such Retained Distributions to Participant as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, Participant shall be entitled to receive on the date of such distribution or release an amount of cash or the number of whole shares of Stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, the aggregate fair value of which shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the notional shares of Stock to which such released Retained Distributions relate. Any Retained Distributions with respect to Unreleased Shares shall be forfeited in the event such Unreleased Shares are forfeited.
4.Rights as Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided herein, upon issuance of the Shares by the Company, Participant shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said Shares, subject to the restrictions herein, including the right to vote the Shares and to receive all dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.
ARTICLE IV. TAXATION AND TAX WITHHOLDING
1.Representation. Participant represents to the Company that Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Shares. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the Shares or Participant’s sale of shares of Stock. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

EXHIBIT  10.7

2.Section 83(b) Election. If Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to be taxed with respect to the Shares as of the date of transfer of the Shares rather than as of the date or dates upon which Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, Participant shall deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly upon filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.
3.Tax Withholding.
(a)The Company and its Subsidiaries have the authority to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the employee portion of any FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising pursuant to this Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries may withhold or Participant may make such payment in one or more of the forms specified below:
(i)by cash or check made payable to the Company with respect to which the withholding obligation arises;
(ii)by the deduction of such amount from other compensation payable to Participant;
(iii)with respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the vesting of the Shares, with the consent of the Administrator, by requesting that the Company withhold a net number of vested Shares having a then current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the withholding obligation of the Company based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes;
(iv)with respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the vesting of the Shares, with the consent of the Administrator, by tendering to the Company vested shares of Stock having a then current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the withholding obligation of the Company based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes;
(v)with respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the vesting of the Shares, through the delivery of a notice that Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to those Shares that are then becoming vested and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company with respect to which the withholding obligation arises in satisfaction of such withholding taxes; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary at such time as may be required by the Administrator, but in any event not later the settlement of such sale; or
(vi)in any combination of the foregoing.
(b)With respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the Shares, in the event Participant fails to provide timely payment of all sums required pursuant to Section 4.3(a), the Company shall have the right and option, but not the obligation, to treat such failure as an election by Participant to satisfy all or any portion of Participant’s required payment obligation pursuant to Section 4.3(a)(ii) or Section 4.3(a)(iii) above, or any combination of the foregoing as the Company may determine to be appropriate. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any certificate representing the Shares to Participant or his or her legal representative unless and until Participant or his or her legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes applicable with respect to the taxable income of Participant resulting from the vesting of the Shares or any other taxable event related to the Shares.
(c)In the event any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with the Shares will be satisfied under Section 4.3(a)(iii), then the Company may elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on Participant’s behalf a whole number of shares of Stock from those Shares that are then becoming vested as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy the tax withholding obligation and to remit the 

EXHIBIT  10.7

proceeds of such sale to the Company with respect to which the withholding obligation arises. Participant’s acceptance of this Award constitutes Participant’s instruction and authorization to the Company and such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this Section 4.3(c), including the transactions described in the previous sentence, as applicable. The Company may refuse to deliver any certificate representing the Shares to Participant or his or her legal representative until the foregoing tax withholding obligations are satisfied.
(d)Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the Shares, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Shares. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the Shares or the subsequent sale of the Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure this Award to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.
ARTICLE V.RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS AND STOP-TRANSFER ORDERS
1.Legends. The certificate or certificates representing the Shares, if any, shall bear the following legend (as well as any legends required by the Company’s charter and applicable law):
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE IN FAVOR OF THE COMPANY AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF A RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
2.Refusal to Transfer; Stop-Transfer Notices. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred. Participant agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
3.Removal of Legend. After such time as the Forfeiture Restriction shall have lapsed with respect to the Shares, and upon Participant’s request, a new certificate or certificates representing such Shares shall be issued without the legend referred to in Section 5.1 and delivered to Participant. If the Shares are held in book entry form, the Company shall cause any restrictions noted on the book form to be removed.
ARTICLE VI.OTHER PROVISIONS
1.Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement.
2.Shares Not Transferable. The Shares and Retained Distributions may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner unless and until the Forfeiture Restrictions have lapsed. No Unreleased Shares or Retained Distributions or any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, 

EXHIBIT  10.7

attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect.
3.Adjustments. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of the Unreleased Shares in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. Participant acknowledges that the Shares are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.
4.Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to Participant shall be addressed to Participant at Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 6.4, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.
5.Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
6.Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.
7.Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all applicable law, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Shares are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law.
8.Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Shares in any material way without the prior written consent of Participant.
9.Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 6.2 and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
10.Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Shares, the Grant Notice and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
11.Not a Contract of Employment. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

EXHIBIT  10.7

12.Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13.Section 409A. This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
14.Agreement Severable. In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.
15.Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Award.
16.Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to applicable law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
17.Broker-Assisted Sales. In the event of any broker-assisted sale of shares of Stock in connection with the payment of withholding taxes as provided in Section 4.3(a)(iii) or Section 4.3(a)(v): (A) any shares of Stock to be sold through a broker-assisted sale will be sold on the day the tax withholding obligation arises or as soon thereafter as practicable; (B) such shares of Stock may be sold as part of a block trade with other participants in the Plan in which all participants receive an average price; (C) Participant will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (D) to the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed the applicable tax withholding obligation, the Company agrees to pay such excess in cash to Participant as soon as reasonably practicable; (E) Participant acknowledges that the Company or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy the applicable tax withholding obligation; and (F) in the event the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the applicable tax withholding obligation, Participant agrees to pay immediately upon demand to the Company or its Subsidiary with respect to which the withholding obligation arises an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Company’s or the applicable Subsidiary’s withholding obligation.
* * * * *Exhibit

Exhibit 10.7

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT, dated as of February 27, 2017 (this “Agreement”), by and between MDC PARTNERS INC., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (the “Company”), and DAVID ROSS (the “Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of March 15, 2014 (the “Original Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend and restate the Original Employment Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    Employment

The Company agrees to continue to employ the Executive during the Term specified in paragraph 2, and the Executive agrees to accept such continued employment, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

2.    Term

Subject to the provisions contained in Sections 6 and 7, the Executive's employment by the Company shall be for a term (the “Term”) continuing from the date hereof for an indefinite period thereafter unless and until (i) either the Executive shall give to the Company 30 days advance written notice of resignation (a “Notice of Termination”) or (ii) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without “Cause” (as defined herein).  Any Notice of Termination given by the Executive under this Section 2 shall specify the date of termination and the fact that the notice is being delivered pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement.  The Company shall have the right at any time during such 30-day notice period to relieve the Executive of all or any portion of his offices, duties and responsibilities and to place him on a paid leave-of-absence status.  The date on which the Executive ceases to be employed by the Company, regardless of the reason therefore is referred to in this Agreement as the "Termination Date".

3.    Duties and Responsibilities

(a)    Title.  Effective as of January 20, 2017, and continuing during the Term, the Executive shall have the position of Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, of the Company.  

(b)    Duties.  The Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the "MDC Executive"), at such times and in such detail as the MDC Executive shall reasonably require.  The Executive shall perform such duties consistent with his position as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, or as may be directed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, including overseeing all mergers and acquisitions, agency partnership agreements and agency executive incentive planning; advising on investments and capital markets transactions; and leading the development and execution of corporate strategies together with other senior executives of the Company.

(c)    Scope of Employment.  The Executive's employment by the Company as described herein shall be full-time and exclusive, and during the Term, the Executive agrees that he will (i) devote all of his business time and attention, his reasonable best efforts, and all his skill and ability to promote the interests of the Company; and 

(ii) carry out his duties in a competent manner and serve the Company faithfully and diligently under the direction of the MDC Executive.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be permitted to (A) upon prior written consent of the MDC Executive, serve on the board of directors of two companies unaffiliated with the Company; provided that such companies are not engaged in any activity which is competitive with the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “MDC Group”), and (B) engage in charitable and civic activities and manage his personal passive investments, provided that such passive investments are not in a company which transacts business with the Company or its affiliates or engages in business competitive with that conducted by the Company (or, if such company does transact business with the Company, or does engage in a competitive business, it is a publicly held corporation and the Executive's participation is limited to owning less than 1% of its outstanding shares), and further provided that such activities (individually or collectively) do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties or responsibilities under this Agreement.

(d)    Office Location.  During the Term, the Executive's services hereunder shall be performed at the offices of the Company, which shall be within a twenty-five (25) mile radius of New York, NY, subject to necessary travel requirements to the Company’s offices in Toronto, Canada and other MDC Group company locations in order to carry out his duties in connection with his position hereunder.  

4.    Compensation

(a)Base Salary.  As compensation for his services hereunder, effective as of January 20, 2017 and continuing during the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive in accordance with its normal payroll practices, an annualized base salary of $500,000, subject to periodic review by the Human Resources & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”) to determine appropriate increases, if any, in accordance with the Company’s practices and policies for other senior executives (“Base Salary”).  

(b)Annual Discretionary Bonus.  During the Term, in respect of all calendar years beginning January 1, 2012, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount equal to up to 100% of the then current Base Salary, based upon criteria determined by the MDC Executive and the Compensation Committee, which criteria shall include the Executive’s performance, the overall financial performance of the Company and such other factors as the MDC Executive and the Compensation Committee shall deem reasonable and appropriate (the “Annual Discretionary Bonus”).  The MDC Executive shall communicate the criteria for the Annual Discretionary Bonus to the Executive within a reasonable period of time after such criteria have been established. The Annual Discretionary Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal bonus payment procedures, and may be paid in the form of equity incentive awards.

(c)Participation in Equity Incentive Programs.  The Executive shall also be eligible to ongoing participation in all current and future equity and/or cash incentive plans of the Company, including but not limited to potential awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or awards of restricted shares of the Company.

5.    Expenses; Fringe Benefits 

(a)    Expenses.  The Company agrees to pay or to reimburse the Executive for all reasonable, ordinary, necessary and documented business or entertainment expenses incurred during the Term in the performance of his services hereunder in accordance with the policy of the Company as from time to time in effect.  The Executive, as a condition precedent to obtaining such payment or reimbursement, shall provide to the Company any and all statements, bills or receipts evidencing the travel or out-of-pocket expenses for which the Executive seeks payment or reimbursement, and any other information or materials, as the Company may from time to time reasonably require.

(b)Benefit Plans.  During the Term, the Executive and, to the extent eligible, his dependents, shall be eligible to participate in and receive all benefits under any group health plans, welfare benefit plans and programs (including without limitation, disability, group life (including accidental death and dismemberment) and business travel insurance plans and programs) provided by the Company to its senior executives and, without duplication, its employees generally, subject, however, to the generally applicable eligibility and other provisions of the various plans and programs in effect from time to time.  

2

(c)    Retirement Plans.  During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement plans and programs (including without limitation any profit sharing plan) provided by the Company to its senior executives generally and, without duplication, its employees generally, subject, however, to the generally applicable eligibility and other provisions of the various plans and programs in effect from time to time.  In addition, during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive fringe benefits and perquisites in accordance with the plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company from time to time in effect which are made available to the senior executives of the Company generally and, without duplication, to its employees generally.

(d)    Vacation.  The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of vacation in accordance with the Company's policies, with no right of carry over, to be taken at such times as shall not materially interfere with the Executive's fulfillment of his duties hereunder, and shall be entitled to as many holidays, sick days and personal days as are in accordance with the Company's policy then in effect generally for its employees.

6.    Termination

(a)    Termination for Cause.  The Company, by direction of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors or the MDC Executive, shall be entitled to terminate the Term and to discharge the Executive for “Cause” effective upon the giving of written notice to the Executive.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean:

(i)    the Executive's failure or refusal to materially perform his duties and responsibilities as set forth in paragraph 3 hereof (other than as a result of a Disability (as defined in paragraph 6(d) hereof), provided that the Executive or a representative on his behalf has provided notice to the Company not more than 20 days following the onset of Executive’s illness or physical or mental incapacity or disability) or abide by the reasonable directives of the MDC Executive, or the failure of the Executive to devote all of his business time and attention exclusively to the business and affairs of the Company in accordance with the terms hereof, in each case if such failure or refusal is not cured (if curable) within 20 days after written notice thereof to the Executive by the Company;

(ii)    the willful and unauthorized misappropriation of the funds or property of the Company;

(iii)    the use of alcohol or illegal drugs, interfering with the performance of the Executive's obligations under this Agreement, continuing after written warning;

(iv)    the conviction in a court of law of, or entering a plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or theft;

(v)    the material nonconformance with the Company's policies against racial or sexual discrimination or harassment, which nonconformance is not cured (if curable) within 10 days after written notice to the Executive by the Company;

(vi)    the commission in bad faith by the Executive of any act which materially injures or could reasonably be expected to materially injure the reputation, business or business relationships of the Company;

(vii)    the resignation by the Executive on his own initiative (other than pursuant to a termination by the Executive for "Good Reason" (as defined in paragraph 6(b) hereof);

(viii)    any breach (not covered by any of the clauses (i) through (vii) above) of paragraphs 8, 9, 11 and 24, if such breach is not cured (if curable) within 20 days after written notice thereof to the Executive by the Company.

Any notice required to be given by the Company pursuant to clause (i), (v) or (viii) above shall specify the nature of the claimed breach and the manner in which the Company requires such breach to be cured (if curable).  In the event 

3

that the Executive is purportedly terminated for Cause and the arbitrator appointed pursuant to paragraph 18 determines that Cause as defined herein was not present, then such purported termination for Cause shall be deemed a termination without Cause pursuant to paragraph 6(c) and the Executive's rights and remedies will be governed by paragraph 7(b), in full satisfaction and in lieu of any and all other or further remedies the Executive may have under this Agreement.

(b)    Termination for Good Reason.  Provided that a Cause event has not occurred and has not been cured (if curable), the Executive shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement and the Term hereunder for Good Reason (as defined below) at any time during the Term by written notice to the Company not more than 20 days after the occurrence of the event constituting such Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall be limited to (i) a breach by the Company of a material provision of this Agreement, which breach remains uncured (if curable) for a period of 20 days after written notice of such breach from the Executive to the Company (such notice to specify the nature of the claimed breach and the manner in which the Executive requires such breach to be cured)); (ii) a material diminution of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as set forth in paragraph 3, without his prior written consent, which breach remains uncured (if curable) for a period of 20 days after written notice of such breach from the Executive to the Company (such notice to specify the nature of the claimed breach and the manner in which the Executive requires such breach to be cured); (iii) relocation of the Executive’s principal office to a location more than 25 miles outside New York, N.Y.; or (iv) the Company’s failure to pay any compensation or benefits, as set forth in paragraphs 4 or 5, which action is not reversed within 10 days after written notice of the breach from the Executive to the Company.  In the event that the Executive purportedly terminates his employment for Good Reason and the arbitrator appointed pursuant to paragraph 18 determines that Good Reason as defined herein was not present, then such purported termination for Good Reason shall be deemed a termination for Cause pursuant to paragraph 6(a)(vii) and the Executive’s rights and remedies will be governed by paragraph 7(a), in full satisfaction and in lieu of any and all other or further remedies the Executive may have under this Agreement.

(c)    Termination without Cause.  The Company, by direction of the Board or the MDC Executive, shall have the right at any time during the Term to terminate the employment of the Executive without Cause by giving written notice to the Executive setting forth a Date of Termination.

(d)    Termination for Death or Disability.  In the event of the Executive's death, the Date of Termination shall be the date of the Executive's death.  In the event the Executive shall be unable to perform his duties hereunder by virtue of illness or physical or mental incapacity or disability (from any cause or causes whatsoever) in substantially the manner and to the extent required hereunder prior to the commencement of such disability and the Executive shall fail to perform such duties for periods aggregating 120 days, whether or not continuous, in any continuous period of 360 days (such causes being herein referred to as “Disability”), the Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder as at the end of any calendar month during the continuance of such Disability upon at least 30 days' prior written notice to him.

7.    Effect of Termination of Employment.

(a)    Termination by the Company for Cause; by the Executive without Good Reason; by Death or Disability; or pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered by the Executive pursuant to paragraph 2 above.  In the event of the termination of the employment of the Executive (1) by the Company for Cause; (2) by the Executive without Good Reason; (3) by reason of death or Disability pursuant to paragraph 6(d); or (4) pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered by the Executive pursuant to paragraph 2 above, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, subject to any appropriate offsets, as permitted by applicable law, for debts or money due and payable by the Executive to the Company or an affiliate thereof (collectively, “Offsets”):

(i)    unpaid Base Salary through, and any unpaid reimbursable expenses outstanding as of, the Date of Termination; and

(ii)all benefits, if any, that had accrued to the Executive through the Date of Termination under the plans and programs described in paragraphs 5(b) and (c) above, or any other applicable plans and programs in which he participated as an employee of the Company, in the manner and in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs; it being understood that any and all rights that the Executive may have to severance 

4

payments by the Company shall be determined and solely based on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and not based on the Company's severance policy then in effect, if any.

In the event of termination of the employment of Executive in the circumstances described in this paragraph 7(a), except as expressly provided in this paragraph, the Company shall have no further liability to the Executive or the Executive's heirs, beneficiaries or estate for damages, compensation, benefits, severance or other amounts of whatever nature, directly or indirectly, arising out of or otherwise related to this Agreement and the Executive's employment or cessation of employment with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any outstanding indemnification obligations of the Company in respect of the Executive’s good faith actions in his capacity as a member, director or officer thereof arising on or prior to the Date of Termination (“Outstanding Indemnification Obligations”).

(b)    Termination by the Company without Cause; or by the Executive for Good Reason.  In the event of a termination (1) by the Company without Cause; (2) by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits, subject to any Offsets:

		
	(i)
	a severance payment (the “Severance Amount”) in an amount equal to the product of one (1) multiplied by the Executive’s “Total Remuneration”. For purposes of this Agreement, “Total Remuneration” shall mean the sum of the Executive’s current Base Salary, plus the highest annual discretionary bonus earned by the Executive in the three (3) years ending December 31 of the year immediately preceding the Date of Termination.  The Severance Amount described in this Section 7(b)(i), less applicable withholding of any tax amounts, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive not later than 10 business days after the applicable Date of Termination;

		
	(ii)
	his Annual Discretionary Bonus with respect to the calendar year prior to the Date of Termination, when otherwise payable, but only to the extent not already paid; 

		
	(iii)
	eligibility for a pro-rata portion of his Annual Discretionary Bonus with respect to the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, when otherwise payable, (such pro-rata amount to be equal to the product of (A) the amount of the Annual Discretionary Bonus for such calendar year, times (B) a fraction,  (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of calendar days commencing January 1 of such year and ending on the Date of Termination, and (y) the denominator of which shall equal 365;

		
	(iv)
	unpaid Base Salary through, and any unpaid reimbursable expenses outstanding as of, the Date of Termination;

		
	(v)
	all benefits, if any, that had accrued to the Executive through the Date of Termination under the plans and programs described in paragraphs 5(b) and (c) above, or any other applicable benefit plans and programs in which the Executive participated as an employee of the Company, in the manner and in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs; it being understood that any and all rights that the Executive may have to severance payments by the Company shall be determined and solely based on the terms and conditions of this Agreement (without duplication) and not based on the Company's severance policy then in effect, if any; and

		
	(vi)
	continued participation on the same basis in the plans and programs set forth in paragraph 5(b) and to the extent permitted under applicable law, paragraph 5(c) (such benefits collectively called the "Continued Plans") in which the Executive was participating on the Date of Termination (as such Continued Plans are from time to time in effect at the Company) for a period to end on the earlier of (A) the one-year anniversary of the Date of Termination and (B) the date on which the Executive is eligible to receive coverage and benefits under the same type of plan of a subsequent employer; provided, however, if the Executive is precluded from continuing his participation in any 

5

Continued Plan, then the Company will be obligated to pay his the economic equivalent of the benefits provided under the Continued Plan in which he is unable to participate, for the period specified above, it being understood that the economic equivalent of a benefit foregone shall be deemed the lowest cost in New York, N.Y. that would be incurred by the Executive in obtaining such benefit himself on an individual basis.

In the event of termination of this Agreement in the circumstances described in this paragraph 7(b), except as expressly provided in this paragraph, the Company shall have no further liability to the Executive or the Executive’s heirs, beneficiaries or estate for damages, compensation, benefits, severance or other amounts of whatever nature, directly or indirectly, arising out of or otherwise related to this Agreement and the Executive’s employment or cessation of employment with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any Outstanding Indemnification Obligations.

The Executive shall be under no duty to mitigate damages hereunder.  The making of any severance payments and providing the other benefits as provided in this paragraph 7(b) is conditioned upon the Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the "Separation Agreement").  In the event the Executive breaches any provisions of the Separation Agreement or the provisions of paragraph 8 of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity available to it, the Company may cease making any further payments and providing the other benefits provided for in this paragraph 7(b), without affecting its rights under this Agreement or the Separation Agreement.

(c)    Termination by the Company without Cause; by the Executive for Good Reason, following a Change of Control.  If within one (1) year after the closing date of any Change of Control transaction, the Executive’s employment is terminated: (1) by the Company without Cause; (2) by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits, subject to any Offsets:

		
	(i)
	a severance payment (the “Change in Control Severance Amount”) in an amount equal to the product of two (2)   multiplied by the Executive’s Total Remuneration.  The Change in Control Severance Amount described in this Section 7(c)(i), less applicable withholding of any tax amounts, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive not later than 10 business days after the applicable Date of Termination;

		
	(ii)
	his Annual Discretionary Bonus with respect to the calendar year prior to the Date of Termination, when otherwise payable, but only to the extent not already paid; 

		
	(iii)
	eligibility for a pro-rata portion of his Annual Discretionary Bonus with respect to the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, when otherwise payable, (such pro-rata amount to be equal to the product of (A) the amount of the Annual Discretionary Bonus for such calendar year, times (B) a fraction,  (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of calendar days commencing January 1 of such year and ending on the Date of Termination, and (y) the denominator of which shall equal 365;

		
	(iv)
	unpaid Base Salary through, and any unpaid reimbursable expenses outstanding as of, the Date of Termination;

		
	(v)
	all benefits, if any, that had accrued to the Executive through the Date of Termination under the plans and programs described in paragraphs 5(b) and (c) above, or any other applicable benefit plans and programs in which the Executive participated as an employee of the Company, in the manner and in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs; it being understood that any and all rights that the Executive may have to severance payments by the Company shall be determined and solely based on the terms and conditions of this Agreement (without duplication) and not based on the Company's severance policy then in effect, if any; and

6

		
	(vi)
	continued participation on the same basis in the Continued Plans in which the Executive was participating on the Date of Termination (as such Continued Plans are from time to time in effect at the Company) for a period to end on the earlier of (A) the one-year anniversary of the Date of Termination and (B) the date on which the Executive is eligible to receive coverage and benefits under the same type of plan of a subsequent employer; provided, however, if the Executive is precluded from continuing his participation in any Continued Plan, then the Company will be obligated to pay his the economic equivalent of the benefits provided under the Continued Plan in which he is unable to participate, for the period specified above, it being understood that the economic equivalent of a benefit foregone shall be deemed the lowest cost in New York, N.Y. that would be incurred by the Executive in obtaining such benefit himself on an individual basis.

For the purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall be limited to the closing of a transaction which results in (i) any person(s) or company(ies) acting jointly or in concert owning, directly or indirectly, equity of the Company representing greater than 50% of the voting power of the Company's outstanding securities, or (ii) the Company selling all or substantially all of its assets (in each instance other than any transfer by the Company or any of its affiliates of their respective interest in the Company to another wholly-owned subsidiary of another MDC Group company).

In the event of termination of this Agreement in the circumstances described in this paragraph 7(c), except as expressly provided in this paragraph, the Company shall have no further liability to the Executive or the Executive's heirs, beneficiaries or estate for damages, compensation, benefits, severance or other amounts of whatever nature, directly or indirectly, arising out of or otherwise related to this Agreement and the Executive's employment or cessation of employment with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any Outstanding Indemnification Obligations.

The Executive shall be under no duty to mitigate damages hereunder.  The making of any severance payments and providing the other benefits as provided in this paragraph 7(c) is conditioned upon the Executive signing and not revoking a Separation Agreement.  In the event the Executive breaches any provisions of the Separation Agreement or the provisions of paragraph 8 of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity available to it, the Company may cease making any further payments and providing the other benefits provided for in this paragraph 7(c), without affecting its rights under this Agreement or the Separation Agreement.

The Company represents and warrants to the Executive that the provisions set forth in Sections 7(a)(iii), 7(b)(vii), 7(b)(viii), 7(c)(vii) and 7(c)(viii) of this Agreement, have been or will be approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee.

8.    Non-Solicitation/Non-Servicing Agreement and Protection of Confidential Information
        
(a)    Non-Solicitation/Non-Servicing.  The parties hereto agree that the covenants given in this paragraph 8 are being given incident to the agreements and transactions described herein, and that such covenants are being given for the benefit of the Company.  Accordingly, the Executive acknowledges (i) that the business and the industry in which the Company competes is highly competitive; (ii) that as a key executive of the Company he has participated in and will continue to participate in the servicing of current clients and/or the solicitation of prospective clients, through which, among other things, the Executive has obtained and will continue to obtain knowledge of the "know-how" and business practices of the Company, in which matters the Company has a substantial proprietary interest; (iii) that his employment hereunder requires the performance of services which are special, unique, extraordinary and intellectual in character, and his position with the Company places and placed his in a position of confidence and trust with the clients and employees of the Company; and (iv) that his rendering of services to the clients of the Company necessarily required and will continue to require the disclosure to the Executive of confidential information (as defined in paragraph 8(b) hereof) of the Company.  In the course of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive has and will continue to develop a personal relationship with the clients of the Company and a knowledge of those clients' affairs and requirements, and the relationship of the Company with its established 

7

clientele will therefore be placed in the Executive's hands in confidence and trust.  The Executive consequently agrees that it is a legitimate interest of the Company, and reasonable and necessary for the protection of the confidential information, goodwill and business of the Company, which is valuable to the Company, that the Executive make the covenants contained herein and that the Company would not have entered into this Agreement unless the covenants set forth in this paragraph 8 were contained in this Agreement.  Accordingly, the Executive agrees that during the period that he is employed by the Company and for a period of eighteen (18) months thereafter (such period being referred to as the "Restricted Period"), he shall not, as an individual, employee, consultant, independent contractor, partner, shareholder, or in association with any other person, business or enterprise, except on behalf of the Company, directly or indirectly, and regardless of the reason for his ceasing to be employed by the Company:

(i)    attempt in any manner to solicit or accept from any client business of the type performed by the Company or to persuade any client to cease to do business or to reduce the amount of business which any such client has customarily done or is reasonably expected to do with the Company, whether or not the relationship between the Company and such client was originally established in whole or in part through the Executive’s efforts; or

(ii)    employ as an employee or retain as a consultant any person, firm or entity who is then or at any time during the preceding twelve months was an employee of or exclusive consultant to the Company, or persuade or attempt to persuade any employee of or exclusive consultant to the Company to leave the employ of the Company or to become employed as an employee or retained as a consultant by any person, firm or entity other than the Company; or  

(iii)    render to or for any client any services of the type which are rendered by the Company.

As used in this paragraph 8, the term "Company" shall include any subsidiaries of the Company and the term "client" shall mean (1) anyone who is a client of the Company on the Date of Termination, or if the Executive's employment shall not have terminated, at the time of the alleged prohibited conduct (any such applicable date being called the "Determination Date"); (2) anyone who was a client of the Company at any time during the one year period immediately preceding the Determination Date; (3) any prospective client to whom the Company had made a new business presentation (or similar offering of services) at any time during the one year period immediately preceding the Date of Termination; and (4) any prospective client to whom the Company made a new business presentation (or similar offering of services) at any time within six months after the Date of Termination (but only if initial discussions between the Company and such prospective client relating to the rendering of services occurred prior to the Date of Termination, and only if the Executive participated in or supervised such discussions).  For purposes of this clause, it is agreed that a general mailing or an incidental contact shall not be deemed a "new business presentation or similar offering of services" or a "discussion". In addition, "client" shall also include any clients of other companies operating within the MDC group of companies to whom the Executive rendered services (including supervisory services) at any time during the six-month period prior to the Determination Date.  In addition, if the client is part of a group of companies which conducts business through more than one entity, division or operating unit, whether or not separately incorporated (a "Client Group"), the term "client" as used herein shall also include each entity, division and operating unit of the Client Group where the same management group of the Client Group has the decision making authority or significant influence with respect to contracting for services of the type rendered by the Company. 

(b)    Confidential Information.  In the course of the Executive's employment with the Company (and its predecessor), he has acquired and will continue to acquire and have access to confidential or proprietary information about the Company and/or its clients, including but not limited to, trade secrets, methods, models, passwords, access to computer files, financial information and records, computer software programs, agreements and/or contracts between the Company and its clients, client contacts, client preferences, creative policies and ideas, advertising campaigns, creative and media materials, graphic design materials, sales promotions and campaigns, sales presentation materials, budgets, practices, concepts, strategies, methods of operation, financial or business projections of the Company and information about or received from clients and other companies with which the Company does business.  The foregoing shall be collectively referred to as "confidential information".  The Executive is aware that the confidential information is not readily available to the public and accordingly, the Executive also agrees that he will not at any time (whether during the Term or after termination of this Agreement), disclose to anyone (other than his 

8

counsel in the course of a dispute arising from the alleged disclosure of confidential information or as required by law) any confidential information, or utilize such confidential information for his own benefit, or for the benefit of third parties.  The Executive agrees that the foregoing restrictions shall apply whether or not any such information is marked "confidential" and regardless of the form of the information.  The term "confidential information" does not include information which (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by breach of this provision or (ii) the Executive learns from a third party who is not under an obligation of confidence to the Company or a client of the Company.  In the event that the Executive becomes legally required to disclose any confidential information, he will provide the Company with prompt notice thereof so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this paragraph 8(b) to permit a particular disclosure.  In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this paragraph 8(b) to permit a particular disclosure, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the confidential information which he is legally required to disclose and, at the Company's expense, will cooperate with the efforts of the Company to obtain a protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the confidential information.  The Executive further agrees that all memoranda, disks, files, notes, records or other documents, whether in electronic form or hard copy (collectively, the "material") compiled by him or made available to him during his employment with the Company (whether or not the material constitutes or contains confidential information), and in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, shall be the property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company on the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company or at any other time upon request.  Except in connection with the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive agrees that he will not make or retain copies or excerpts of the material; provided that the Executive shall be entitled to retain his personal files.

(c)    Remedies.  If the Executive commits or threatens to commit a breach of any of the provisions of paragraphs 8(a) or (b), the Company shall have the right to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by the arbitrator appointed under paragraph 18 or by any court having jurisdiction without being required to post bond or other security and without having to prove the inadequacy of the available remedies at law, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company.  In addition, the Company may take all such other actions and remedies available to it under law or in equity and shall be entitled to such damages as it can show it has sustained by reason of such breach.

(d)    Acknowledgments.  The parties acknowledge that (i) the type and periods of restriction imposed in the provisions of paragraphs 8(a) and (b) are fair and reasonable and are reasonably required in order to protect and maintain the proprietary interests of the Company described above, other legitimate business interests and the goodwill associated with the business of the Company; (ii) the time, scope and other provisions of this paragraph 8 have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties, represented by legal counsel, and are given as an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (iii) because of the nature of the business engaged in by the Company and the fact that clients can be and are serviced by the Company wherever they are located, it is impractical and unreasonable to place a geographic limitation on the agreements made by the Executive herein. The Executive specifically acknowledges that his being restricted from soliciting and servicing clients and prospective clients as contemplated by this Agreement will not prevent him from being employed or earning a livelihood in the type of business conducted by the Company.  If any of the covenants contained in paragraphs 8(a) or (b), or any part thereof, is held to be unenforceable by reason of it extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographic area or by reason of it being too extensive in any other respect, the parties agree (x) such covenant shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable and/or over the maximum geographic areas as to which it may be enforceable and/or over the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by the court or arbitration panel making such determination and (y) in its reduced form, such covenant shall then be enforceable, but such reduced form of covenant shall only apply with respect to the operation of such covenant in the particular jurisdiction in or for which such adjudication is made.  Each of the covenants and agreements contained in this paragraph 8 (collectively, the "Protective Covenants") is separate, distinct and severable.  All rights, remedies and benefits expressly provided for in this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, remedies or benefits provided for by law or in this Agreement, and the exercise of any remedy by a party hereto shall not be deemed an election to the exclusion of any other remedy (any such claim by the other party being hereby waived).  The existence of any claim, demand, action or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether 

9

predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of each Protective Covenant.  The unenforceability of any Protective Covenant shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Protective Covenant or any other provision or provisions of this Agreement.   

(e)    Notification of Restrictive Covenants.  Prior to accepting employment with any person, firm or entity during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall notify the prospective employer in writing of his obligations pursuant to this paragraph 8 and shall simultaneously provide a copy of such notice to the Company (it being agreed by the Company that such notification required under this paragraph 8(e) shall not be deemed a breach of the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement).

(f)    Tolling.  The temporal duration of the non-solicitation/non-servicing covenants set forth in this Agreement shall not expire, and shall be tolled, during any period in which the Executive is in violation of any of the non-solicitation/non-servicing covenants set forth herein, and all restrictions shall automatically be extended by the period of the Executive's violation of any such restrictions.

9.    Intellectual Property

During the Term, the Executive will disclose to the Company all ideas, inventions and business plans developed by him during such period which relate directly or indirectly to the business of the Company, including without limitation, any design, logo, slogan, advertising campaign or any process, operation, product or improvement which may be patentable or copyrightable. The Executive agrees that all patents, licenses, copyrights, tradenames, trademarks, service marks, planning, marketing and/or creative policies and ideas, advertising campaigns, promotional campaigns, media campaigns, budgets, practices, concepts, strategies, methods of operation, financial or business projections, designs, logos, slogans and business plans developed or created by the Executive in the course of his employment hereunder, either individually or in collaboration with others, will be deemed works for hire and the sole and absolute property of the Company.  The Executive agrees, that at the Company's request and expense, he will take all steps necessary to secure the rights thereto to the Company by patent, copyright or otherwise. 

10.    Enforceability

The failure of any party at any time to require performance by another party of any provision hereunder shall in no way affect the right of that party thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall it affect any other party's right to enforce the same, or to enforce any of the other provisions in this Agreement; nor shall the waiver by any party of the breach of any provision hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of such provision or as a waiver of the provision itself.

11.    Assignment

The Company and the Executive agree that the Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement in connection with any asset assignment of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, stock sale, merger, consolidation or other corporate reorganization involving the Company and, accordingly, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon and may be enforced by, any and all successors and such assigns of the Company.  The Company and Executive agree that Executive's rights and obligations under this Agreement are personal to the Executive, and the Executive shall not have the right to assign or otherwise transfer his rights or obligations under this Agreement, and any purported assignment or transfer shall be void and ineffective, provided that the rights of the Executive to receive certain benefits upon death as expressly set forth under paragraph 7(a) of this Agreement shall inure to the Executive’s estate and heirs. The rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall be binding upon and run in favor of the successors and assigns of the Company. 

12.    Modification

This Agreement may not be orally canceled, changed, modified or amended, and no cancellation, change, modification or amendment shall be effective or binding, unless in writing and signed by the parties to this Agreement, and approved in writing by the MDC Executive.

10

    

13.    Severability; Survival

In the event any provision or portion of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless be binding upon the parties with the same effect as though the invalid or unenforceable part had been severed and deleted or reformed to be enforceable.  The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive the termination of the Executive's employment to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations, specifically paragraphs 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 23 and 24.
    
14.    Notice

Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another party shall be in writing and shall be deemed effective (a) upon personal delivery, if delivered by hand, or (b) three days after the date of deposit in the mails, postage prepaid if mailed by certified or registered mail, or (c) on the next business day, if sent by prepaid overnight courier service or facsimile transmission (if electronically confirmed), and in each case, addressed as follows:

If to the Executive:

Mr. David Ross
250 West 94th Street, Apt. 12G
New York NY 10025

If to the Company:
            
c/o MDC Partners Inc.
745 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, NY  10151
Attention:  General Counsel    
Fax:  (212) 937-4365

Any party may change the address to which notices are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address to the other party in the manner herein provided for giving notice.

15.    Applicable Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, enforced under, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, NY applicable therein.  

16.    No Conflict

The Executive represents and warrants that he is not subject to any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree of any kind, or any other restrictive agreement of any character, which would prevent him from entering into this Agreement or which would be breached by the Executive upon his performance of his duties pursuant to this Agreement.

17.    Entire Agreement

This Agreement and the documents referenced herein represent the entire agreement between the Company and the Executive with respect to the employment of the Executive by the Company, and all prior agreements 

11

(including, without limitation, the Original Employment Agreement), plans and arrangements relating to the employment of the Executive by the Company are nullified and superseded hereby.

18.    Arbitration

(a)    The parties hereto agree that any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim regarding or related to the interpretation, scope, effect, enforcement, termination, extension, breach, legality, remedies and other aspects of this Agreement or the conduct and communications of the parties regarding this Agreement and the subject matter of this Agreement) shall be settled in private by binding arbitration, to be held in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (and not the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes) of the American Arbitration Association and this Section 18. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Pending the resolution of any arbitration proceeding, the Executive (and his beneficiaries) shall continue to receive all payments and benefits due under this Agreement or otherwise. No party or arbitrator shall disclose in whole or in part to any other person, firm or entity any confidential information submitted in connection with the arbitration proceedings, except to the extent reasonably necessary to assist counsel in the arbitration or preparation for arbitration of the dispute. Confidential Information may be disclosed to (i) attorneys, (ii) parties, and (iii) outside experts requested by either party’s counsel to furnish technical or expert services or to give testimony at the arbitration proceedings, subject, in the case of such experts, to execution of a legally binding written statement that such expert is fully familiar with the terms of this provision, agree to comply with the confidentiality terms of this provision, and will not use any confidential information disclosed to such expert for personal or business advantage.  The prevailing party in any arbitration shall be entitled to receive its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the other party(ies) as may be awarded by the arbitrator.

            (b)    The Executive has read and understands this paragraph 18.  The Executive understands that by signing this Agreement, the Executive agrees to submit any claims arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach or termination thereof, or his employment or the termination thereof, to binding arbitration, and that this arbitration provision constitutes a waiver of the Executive’s right to a jury trial and relates to the resolution of all disputes relating to all aspects of the employer/employee relationship.

(c)    To the extent that any part of this paragraph 18 is found to be legally unenforceable for any reason, that part shall be modified or deleted in such a manner as to render this paragraph 18 (or the remainder of this paragraph 18) legally enforceable and as to ensure that except as otherwise provided in clause (a) of this paragraph 18, all conflicts between the Company and the Executive shall be resolved by neutral, binding arbitration.  The remainder of this paragraph 18 shall not be affected by any such modification or deletion but shall be construed as severable and independent.  If a court finds that the arbitration procedures of this paragraph 18 are not absolutely binding, then the parties hereto intend any arbitration decision to be fully admissible in evidence, given great weight by any finder of fact, and treated as determinative to the maximum extent permitted by law.  

19.    Headings

The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

20.    Withholdings

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

21.    Counterparts

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This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts or by facsimile transmission, both of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

22.    No Strict Construction

The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the Company and the Executive to express their mutual intent, and no rule of law or contract interpretation that provides that in the case of ambiguity or uncertainty a provision should be construed against the draftsman will be applied against any party hereto.

23.    Publicity    

Subject to the provisions of the next sentence, no party to this Agreement shall issue any press release or other public document or make any public statement relating to this Agreement or the matters contained herein without obtaining the prior approval of the Company and the Executive.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing provision shall not apply to the extent that the Company is required to make any announcement relating to or arising out of this Agreement by virtue of applicable securities laws or other stock exchange rules, or any announcement by any party pursuant to applicable law or regulations.

24.    Non- Disparagement

Following the date hereof, the Executive and the Company shall each use their reasonable best efforts not to disparage, criticize or make statements to the detriment of the other. 

*        *        *        *        *

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amended and Restated Employment Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                        
MDC PARTNERS INC.

                    
By: _________________________________
      

_____________________________________
David Ross
 

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