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Exhibit 10.10  

 
 

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HOLDINGS, INC.    
    
    FORM OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT    
    
    WAIVER AND ELECTION    
    

                    (the "Participant") has deferred amounts previously accruing under that certain Senior Executive Retention
Agreement (the "Prior Agreement"),
dated as of            , by and between Houghton Mifflin Company ("HMC"), a Massachusetts corporation, and the Participant. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the
same meaning asunder the Houghton Mifflin Holdings, Inc. 2003 Deferred Compensation Plan dated January 28, 2003 (the "Plan"). 

        1.    Election to Participate in the Plan.    The Participant agrees to participate in the Plan on all of the terms
and conditions set forth therein. A copy of the Plan has been provided to the Participant and the Participant acknowledges receipt of such copy. 

        2.    Total Payments.    The Participant's aggregate payments under Section 2 ("Transaction Retention
Payments") of the Prior Agreement are $                        (the "Retention Bonus"). 

        3.    Aggregate Election.    An election under the Plan equal to the Retention Bonus shall be made available to the
Participant for allocation under the Plan. The Participant hereby elects to allocate the Retention Bonus to the Stock Subaccount and Cash Subaccount established under the Plan as set forth below;
provided that the actual amounts credited to the Account shall be determined in accordance with Section 4 below. The aggregate amount allocated to the Stock Subaccount is referred to as the
"Stock Unit Commitment Amount". 

        (a)   Aggregate
Amount Allocated to Stock Subaccount: $                  

        (b)   Aggregate
Amount Allocated to Cash Subaccount: $                  

        4.    Crediting of Election to Account.    The Participant acknowledges that the amounts will be credited to each of
the Stock Subaccount and the Cash Subaccount, as the case may be, on the following terms and conditions. In the event that the Participant elects to allocate less than the Retention Bonus to the Stock
Subaccount, then the first payments that would otherwise be earned by the Participant hereunder shall be allocated first to the Stock Subaccount. 

        (a)   If
the Participant remains employed by HMC or any member of the Company Group through January 30, 2003 (the "First Crediting Date"), then, within 10 days
after such date, the Participant shall have credited to the Participant's Stock Subaccount $                        , and Cash
Subaccount $            (which may be zero), which amounts in the aggregate
shall equal 20% of the Retention Bonus. 

        (b)   If
the Participant remains employed by HMC or any member of the Company Group through June 30, 2003 (the "Second Crediting Date"), then, within 10 days
after such date, the Participant shall have credited to his or her Stock Subaccount $                        , and Cash Subaccount
$                        , (which may be zero) which amounts in the aggregate shall
equal 30% of the Retention Bonus. 

        (c)   If
the Participant remains employed by HMC or any member of the Company Group through June 30, 2004 (the "Third Crediting Date"), then, within 10 days
after such date, the Participant shall have credited to his or her Stock Subaccount $            , and Cash Subaccount
$            , (which maybe zero) which amounts in the aggregate shall
equal 50% of the Retention Bonus. 

        5.    Payment of Amounts from the Cash Subaccount.    Amounts credited to the Cash Subaccount hereunder shall be paid
to the Participant within 10 days after the applicable Crediting Date in a single lump sum cash payment, subject to applicable tax withholding at the Withholding Rate. 

 

        6.    Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason.    Notwithstanding anything in this Waiver and
Election to the contrary, if the Participant's employment is terminated prior to December 31, 2004 (a) by HMC without Cause, (b) by the Participant for Good Reason, as those terms
are defined in the Prior Agreement, or (c) because the Participant dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled (as confirmed by a physician selected by HMC), then any portion of the
Retention Bonus not then credited to the Participant's Account shall be paid to the Participant within 10 days after such Termination of Employment in a single lump sum cash payment, subject to
applicable tax withholding at the Withholding Rate. 

        7.    Termination of Employment for Cause or without Good Reason.    Notwithstanding anything in this Election to the
contrary, if the Participant's employment is terminated (a) by HMC for Cause or (b) by the Participant without Good Reason, as those terms are defined in the Prior Agreement, then the
Participant shall automatically and permanently forfeit any portion of the Retention Bonus not credited to Participant's Account as of the date of such Termination of Employment. 

        8.    Applicability of Plan.    By the Participant's signature and the signatures of HMC's authorized representative
and the authorized representative of Houghton Mifflin Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") below, the Participant, HMC and the Company acknowledge and agree that all rights and obligations with
respect to the Transaction Retention Payments as previously accrued under Section 2 of the Prior Agreement shall, as of January 28, 2003, be cancelled and such amount shall be subject to
and governed by the terms and conditions of this Waiver and Election and the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision in the Prior Agreement, this Waiver and Election and the Plan shall supersede
Section 2 of the Prior Agreement in its entirety and such Section 2 shall be of no further force or effect. Except as set forth herein, the Prior Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect. 

        9.    Entire Agreement.    This Waiver and Election and the Plan comprise the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof. The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Waiver and Election and the Plan, and all claims arising out of or based upon 

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this
Waiver and Election and the Plan, shall be governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. 

	PARTICIPANT:	 	HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HOLDINGS, INC.
	

Signature:	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

 
	 	 	
	 	 	 	 	 	

	

Name:	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

Name:	
 	

 
	 	 	
	 	 	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

Title:	
 	

 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	

Date:	
 	

 	
 	

Date:	
 	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	
	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	
 	
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
	

 	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

Name:	
 	

 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

Title:	
 	

 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	
 	

Date:	
 	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	

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HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HOLDINGS, INC.    
    
    Tax Payment Election Form    
    

        The undersigned participant (the "Participant") in the Houghton Mifflin Holdings, Inc. 2003 Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan") hereby: 

                    elects
to have Houghton Mifflin Company (the "Company") advance funds to the Participant by paying the Participant's FICA and Medicare tax obligations, if any, arising
out of the retention bonus payments earned by the Participant and allocated to the Participant's Stock Subaccount. The Participant acknowledges that the Company will deduct such advanced amounts from
the Participant's paychecks over three monthly pay periods. Participant acknowledges that such advances are made with recourse to the Participant. 

        Or

                    elects
to submit a single check to the Company in an amount equal to the Participant's FICA and Medicare tax obligations, if any, arising out of the retention bonus
payments earned by the Participant and allocated to the Participant's Stock Subaccount. Such payment shall be made promptly after notification by the Company's payroll department of the amount
required to satisfy the Participant's tax obligation. 

	

 	
 	

 
	
 Name of Participant:	 	 

Date:                        ,
2003 

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HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HOLDINGS, INC. FORM OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT WAIVER AND ELECTION

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HOLDINGS, INC. Tax Payment Election FormQuickLinks
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Exhibit 10.11    
    

May 23,
2002 

Hans
Gieskes

4712 Eagles Nest Circle

Kettering, OH 45429 

Dear
Hans: 

        Houghton
Mifflin Company (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi Universal, S.A. ("Parent"), agrees to employ you and you
agree to accept employment upon the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement (the "Agreement"). 

        1.    Term.    The term of your employment under this Agreement will commence on or about June 17, 2002 (the
date on which your employment hereunder actually commences is referred to herein as the "Effective Date") and continue until December 31, 2005
(the "Expiration Date") unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 4 (the
"Term"). The Company may by written notice to you not later than 90 days prior to the Expiration Date, renew the Term for an additional
three-year period (and the Company at its option may extend the Term for successive three-year periods thereafter, provided the Company provides written notice to you not later
than 90 days prior to the then scheduled expiration of the extended Term). Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree and acknowledge that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term
following the Expiration Date or to continue your employment after expiration of the Term (whether extended or not), and you expressly acknowledge that no promises or understandings to the contrary
have been made or reached. You also agree and acknowledge that, should you and the Company choose to continue your employment for any period of time following the expiration of the Term (including any
extensions thereof) without a written employment agreement, your employment with the Company will be "at will;" in other words, during any time following the expiration of the Term if a written
employment agreement is not in effect, the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without reason and with or without notice, and you may resign at any time, with or without reason
and with or without notice; provided, however, that any such "at will" employment will
not diminish or prejudice any rights or benefits to which you are otherwise entitled under this Agreement (including, without limitation, rights or benefits under Paragraph 4), or otherwise,
after the end of the Term. 

        2.    Duties and Responsibilities.    

        (a)   During
the Term, you agree to be employed and perform your exclusive services for the Company and its affiliates upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You
will render your services hereunder as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and will have the duties, responsibilities and authority as are customary and appropriate for such position. You will
report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Company Board") and the Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi Universal Publishing (the
"VUP CEO"), and perform the services requested from time to time by the Company Board and the VUP CEO, commensurate with your status and consistent with
your position hereunder. 

        (b)   During
the Term, your principal place of employment will be at the Company's headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. You acknowledge that your duties and responsibilities
will require you to travel on business to the extent necessary to fully perform your duties hereunder. 

        (c)   During
the Term, you will devote all of your working time to the business of the Company and will not accept employment with, or provide services as a consultant or in
any other capacity for, any person or entity other than the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates; provided, however, that with the express prior written consent of the VUP CEO (such consent to
be given in the sole discretion of the VUP CEO), you may engage in corporate, civic or charitable activities in a non-executive role consistent with applicable Company policies and so long
as such activities do not interfere with the performance of your duties hereunder. 

 

        3.    Compensation and Related Matters.    

        (a)    Base Salary.    During the Term, for all services rendered under this Agreement, the Company will pay you base
salary ("Base Salary"), payable in accordance with the Company's applicable payroll practices, at an initial annual rate of $560,000. Your Base Salary
will be reviewed annually and may be increased at the discretion of the Company Board. 

        (b)    Bonus Compensation.    During the Term, you will be eligible to participate in the Company's bonus plan as in
effect from time to time (the "Bonus Plan"), with a target annual bonus ("Target Bonus") in an amount
equal to 75% of your Base Salary. The actual amount of the bonus payable to you ("Annual Bonus"), which will generally range from 60%—90% of
your Base Salary (it being understood that if the threshold performance objectives are not attained, no bonus may be payable for such year), prorated based on your duration of employment with the
Company during the applicable year, will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion in accordance with the provisions of the Bonus Plan and will be paid at such time and in such manner as
provided in the Bonus Plan; provided, that your actual bonus for calendar year 2002 will not be less than 50% of your Target Bonus for 2002, prorated
based on your duration of employment with the Company during 2002 (i.e., assuming the Effective Date is on or before July 1, 2002, your actual bonus for 2002 will not be less than $105,000);  provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Paragraph 4 shall apply
in the event of your termination of employment hereunder. 

        (c)    Stock Options.    Except as provided in this Section 3(c), the Chief Executive Officer of Parent will
recommend for approval to the Compensation Committee of Parent at its scheduled meeting in September 2002 a grant of options to purchase 50,000 ordinary shares (the
"Sign-on Options"), nominal value €5.50 per share, of Parent (the "Shares"),
which shares will be issued in the form of American depositary shares representing Shares. The Sign-on Options will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Parent's stock option plan
pursuant to which the Sign-on Options are granted; provided, that the Sign-on Options will have a term of eight (8) years
from the date of grant and will generally vest ratably in equal installments on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of grant. If the Sign-On Options are not
approved, or if Parent has modified its long-term incentive program for similarly situated executives (or implemented a new long-term incentive program for similarly situated
executives) which provides for long-term incentives that may be in a form other than options or which are granted in addition to a reduced number of stock options, you will not receive the
grant of Sign-On Options but in lieu thereof will be eligible to participate in Parent's long-term incentive program then in effect on the same basis as similarly situated
executives are eligible to participate. 

        (d)    Benefits and Perquisites.    

        (i)    During
the Term, you will be entitled to participate in the benefit plans generally available to senior executive employees of the Company that reside and work in the
United States (including, without limitation, 401(k), health and disability and pension plans) generally made available by the Company from time to time for its employees, and subject to their terms
and conditions. 

        (ii)   You
shall be entitled to the benefits of the Company's executive relocation package in connection with your relocation from Kettering, Ohio to Boston, Massachusetts,
which you acknowledge have been previously provided to you under separate cover. 

        (iii)  During
the Term, you will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company's vacation policy in effect from time to time;  provided, however, that you
will be entitled to not less than four (4) weeks of paid vacation in
each year. 

        (e)    Expense Reimbursements.    During the Term, the Company will reimburse you for your reasonable and necessary
business expenses in accordance with its then prevailing policy for senior executives of the Company with comparable positions and responsibilities (which will include appropriate itemization and
substantiation of expenses incurred). 

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        (f)    Withholding.    The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state,
local, foreign or other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable laws or regulation. 

        4.    Compensation Upon Certain Termination Events.    Your employment may be terminated as provided below in this
Paragraph 4. Upon any termination of your employment with the Company, you will be entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, and compensation for
unused vacation time accrued through the date of termination, payable within thirty (30) days following the date of your termination of employment. Following any termination of your employment,
the Company will have no further obligations to you hereunder except as otherwise provided below or as set forth in any benefit plans, programs or arrangements in which you participate or as otherwise
required by Company policy or applicable law. 

        (a)    Termination by the Company for Cause Voluntary Resignation.    Your employment under this Agreement may be
automatically terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined below) at any time and without advance notice, and will terminate automatically upon your voluntary resignation. 

        For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means: (i) your continued material failure, following written notice from the Company,
substantially to perform your duties (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness), (ii) your gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of your employment
with the Company, (iii) your conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony (or the equivalent thereof in a jurisdiction other than the
United States) other than a moving vehicle violation, (iv) your material breach of any material provision of this Agreement, (v) your material breach of a material employment policy of
the Company, (vi) your misappropriation, embezzlement or material misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates or (vii) your use of
alcohol or drugs that either interferes with the performance of your duties hereunder or compromises the integrity and reputation of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, their employees or
their products; provided, that following written notice from the Company under clauses (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) above, you have ten
(10) days during which to cure such failure; provided, further, that you will be permitted only
one such cure period during the Term. 

        (b)    Termination by the Company without Cause (other than due to Disability or death), Termination by you for Good
Reason.    Your employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Term (x) by the Company without Cause (other than on account of
Disability or your death) or (y) by you for Good Reason. In such event, (i) you will receive payment of any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the year preceding the year in which
termination occurs, (ii) you will receive a lump sum payment equal to your Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of days you were employed hereunder in the year in which your termination occurs and the denominator of which is 365 (the "Prorata Bonus"),
(iii) you will continue to receive payment of an amount equal to the sum of your Base Salary plus Target Bonus for a period ending on the third anniversary of your date of termination of
employment, (iv) any stock options outstanding on the date of your termination of employment will become fully vested, and will become and remain exercisable for the remainder of their original
term pursuant to the applicable option agreement and (v) you will continue to be eligible to receive medical, dental, disability and life insurance coverage (on the same terms and conditions
under which such coverages are made available to active senior executive employees of the Company from time to time) through the third anniversary following your termination of employment. 

        For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means (i) a material breach by the Company of any material provision of this
Agreement (including, but not limited to, a violation of Section 2 with respect to your title, duties or reporting lines, and requiring you to relocate to a principal place of employment other
than Boston, Massachusetts) or (ii) the failure by the Company to cause any successor to all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Company to assume expressly the 

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obligations
of the Company under this Agreement; provided, that any such breach or failure has not been remedied within ten (10) days following
written notice from you describing the nature of such breach or failure. 

        (c)    Termination on Account of Disability.    The Company may terminate your employment on account of a Disability
(but only during the continuance of such Disability). You will be deemed to have a "Disability" if you are incapacitated by a physical or mental
condition, illness or injury which has prevented you from being able to perform the essential duties of your position under this Agreement in a satisfactory manner for an aggregate of 180 days
in any consecutive 365-day period. Any dispute regarding whether you have incurred a Disability will be resolved by an independent medical doctor mutually agreeable to the Company and you.
In the event your employment is terminated on account of Disability, you will (i) receive payment of any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the year preceding the year in which termination
occurs, (ii) receive payment of the Prorata Bonus and (iii) continue to receive an amount equal to your Base Salary until the earlier of (x) the 180th day following your
termination of employment, or (y) your death; but such amount will be reduced by any other Company-provided disability and salary continuation benefits otherwise made available to you. In
addition, any stock options outstanding on the date of your termination of employment will become fully vested, and will become and remain exercisable for the remainder of their original term pursuant
to the applicable option agreement. 

        (d)    Death.    Your employment will terminate automatically upon your death. In such event, your estate or legal
representative will receive (i) payment of any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the year preceding the year in which termination occurs and (ii) payment of the Prorata Bonus. In
addition, any stock options outstanding on the date of your termination of employment will become fully vested, and will become and remain exercisable for the remainder of their original term pursuant
to the applicable option agreement. 

        (e)    No Mitigation; Offset.    You will have no duty to attempt to mitigate any amounts payable to you under this
Agreement following your termination of employment with the Company by seeking alternative employment, the Company will not be entitled to reduce the amount of any compensation payable to you under
this Agreement by any amounts received by you in connection with such alternative employment and you will not be required to pay the Company any amounts that you may receive from any such alternative
employment or otherwise. The Company may offset any amounts you owe to the Company as of the date of termination of your employment from any amounts that are payable to you under this Agreement
following termination of your employment. 

	(f)
	Additional Payment Provisions. The payment of any monies accrued under any benefit plan, program or arrangement in which you
participate will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program or arrangement, and any elections you have made thereunder. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
obligations of the Company to make payments to you pursuant to this Agreement will survive any termination of this Agreement. 

        5.    Covenants.    

        (a)    Acknowledgment.    You acknowledge that you currently possess or will acquire secret, confidential, or
proprietary information or trade secrets concerning the operations, future plans, or business methods of the Company or its affiliates. You agree that the Company and its affiliates would be severely
damaged if you misused or disclosed this information. To prevent this harm, you are making the promises set forth in this Paragraph. You acknowledge that the provisions of this Paragraph are
reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company and its affiliates and that any violation of such provisions would result in irreparable injury to the Company and its
affiliates. In the event of a violation of the provisions of this Paragraph, you further agree that the Company will, in addition to all other remedies available to it, be entitled to seek equitable
relief by way of injunction and any other legal or equitable remedies. 

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        (b)    Promise Not to Disclose.    You will hold in a fiduciary capacity, for the benefit of the Company and its
affiliates, all confidential or proprietary information, knowledge and data of the Company and its affiliates which you may acquire, learn, obtain or develop during your employment by the Company.
Further, you will not, during the Term or at any time thereafter, directly or indirectly use, communicate or divulge for your own benefit or for the benefit of another any such information, knowledge
or data other than as required by, or on behalf of, the Company. You make the same commitments with respect to the secret, confidential or proprietary information, knowledge and data of affiliates,
customers, contractors and others with whom the Company has a business relationship or to whom the Company or its affiliates owe a duty of confidentiality, other than as required by the Company. The
confidential and proprietary information covered by this protection includes, but is not limited to, confidential and proprietary matters of a business or strategic nature such as information about
costs and profits, projections, personnel information, reengineering, records, customer lists, contact persons, customer data, software, sales data, possible new business ventures and/or expansion
plans or matters of a creative nature, including without limitation, matters regarding ideas of a literary, creative, musical or dramatic nature, or regarding any form of product produced, distributed
or acquired by the Company or its affiliates ("Company Information"). Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, for purposes of this
Agreement, "Company Information" and "confidential or proprietary information, knowledge and data" will not include information which is: (i) generally known in the industry; or (ii) in
the public domain other than due to your actions. Company Information will be considered and kept as the private, proprietary and confidential information of the Company and its affiliates except in
furtherance of the Company's business (or the business of its affiliates) or within the Company as required to perform services, and may not otherwise be divulged without the express written
authorization of the Company except as required to be disclosed by law. You and the Company further agree that neither of you will publicly disclose the terms of this Agreement, other than as required
by law. 

        (c)    Promise Not to Engage In Certain Activities.    You will not at any time during the term of your employment
with the Company or prior to the first anniversary of the date of termination of your employment with the Company, be or become (A) interested or engaged in any manner, directly or indirectly,
either alone or with any person, firm or corporation now existing or hereafter created, in any business which is competitive with any business of the Company and its affiliates with respect to which
you performed any duties during your employment by the Company, its affiliates, and their predecessors or (B) directly or indirectly a stockholder or officer, director, agent, consultant or
employee of, or in any manner associated with, or aid or abet, or give information or financial assistance to, any such business. The provisions of this Paragraph 5(c) will not be deemed to
prohibit your purchase or ownership, as a passive investment, of not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding capital stock of any corporation whose stock is publicly traded. 

        (d)    Promise to Return Property.    All records, files, lists, drawings, documents, models, equipment, property,
computer, software or intellectual property relating to the Company's business (or the business of its affiliates) in whatever form (including electronic) which you (or any person to whom you have
directly or indirectly transferred such possession) possess will be returned to the Company upon the termination of your employment, whether such termination is at your or the Company's request
(except that you may, upon request to the Company, which will not be unreasonably withheld, retain copies of any documents to the extent reasonably necessary to protect your interests). 

        (e)    Promise Not to Solicit.    You will not at any time during the term of your employment with the Company or
prior to the first anniversary of the date of termination of your employment with the Company, induce or attempt to induce any employees, consultants, contractors or representatives of the Company (or
those of any of its affiliates) ("Company Representatives") to stop working for, contracting with or representing the Company or any of its affiliates
or to induce or attempt to induce any 

5

 

Company
Representative under an exclusive contractual arrangement with the Company or its affiliates to work for, contract with or represent any of the Company's competitors. 

        (f)    Company Ownership.    The results and proceeds of your services hereunder, including, without limitation, any
works of authorship resulting from your services during your employment with the Company and/or any of the Company's affiliates and any works in progress, will be
works-made-for-hire and the Company will be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or
hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion without any further payment
to you whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds will not legally be a work-for-hire and/or there are any rights which do not accrue to the Company under
the preceding sentence, then you hereby irrevocably assign and agree to assign any and all of your right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all copyrights, patents,
trade secrets, trademarks and/or other rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company, and the Company will
have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner the Company determines without any further payment to you whatsoever. You will, from time to time, as may be
requested by the Company and at the Company's sole cost and expense, do any and all things which the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company's exclusive
ownership of any and all rights in any such results and proceeds, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent you
have any rights in the results and proceeds of your services that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, you unconditionally and irrevocably waive the enforcement of such rights. This
Paragraph is subject to and will not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue
of the Company being your employer. 

        6.    Services Unique.    You acknowledge that a violation on your part of any of the covenants contained in
Paragraph 5 of this Agreement would cause immeasurable and irreparable damage to the Company or its affiliates in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any
remedy at law would be inadequate. Accordingly, you agree that the Company will be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief in any court of
competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened violation of any such covenant in addition to any other remedies it may have. You agree that in the event that any arbitrator or court of competent
jurisdiction will finally hold that any provision of Paragraph 5 of this Agreement is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against you, the provisions of such Paragraph 5 will
not be rendered void but will be deemed to be modified to the minimum extent necessary to remain in force and effect for the greatest period and to such extent as such arbitrator or court may
determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. 

6

 

        7.    Notices.    All notices and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be given by hand delivery
to the other party or by facsimile or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: 

	 	 	If to you:
	

 	
 	

At the last known address and facsimile number in the personnel records of the Company
	

 	
 	
with a copy to:
	

 	
 	

Korn/Ferry International

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10028
	 	 	Attn:	 	Karol Mattes

William Simon
	 	 	Fax:	 	(212) 986-5684
	

 	
 	
If to the Company:
	

 	
 	

222 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116
	 	 	Attn:	 	Paul D. Weaver, Esq.
	 	 	Fax:	 	(617) 351-5014
	

 	
 	
with a copy to:
	

 	
 	

c/o Vivendi Universal

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152
	 	 	Attn:	 	Daniel J. Losito, Esq.
	 	 	Fax:	 	(212) 572-7973

or
to such other address as either party will have furnished to the other in writing. All notices and communications will be deemed to have been duly given and received: (a) on the date of
receipt, if delivered by hand; (b) on the date of receipt of the transmission confirmed by receipt of a transmittal confirmation, if delivered by facsimile; (c) three (3) business
days after being sent by first class certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) one (1) business day after sending by next-day delivery service with
confirmation of receipt. As used herein, the term "business day" means any day that is not Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York. 

        8.    Assignment/Affiliated Corporation.    

        This
Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written consent of the Company will not be assignable by you otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
any assignment in violation of this Agreement will be void. This Agreement will be binding on, and will inure to the benefit of, the parties to it and their respective heirs, legal representatives,
successors and permitted assigns (including, without limitation, in the event of your death, your estate and heirs in the case of any payments due to you hereunder). The Company may only assign this
Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder, (a) to any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company, or (b) to any entity which, by way of merger,
consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company becomes a successor to the Company. You acknowledge and agree that all of your covenants and obligations to the Company, as well
as the rights of the Company hereunder, will run in favor of and will be enforceable by the Company, its affiliates and their successors and permitted assigns. 

7

 

        9.    Arbitration.    

        (a)    Arbitrable Disputes.    You and the Company agree to use final and binding arbitration to resolve any dispute
other than a dispute regarding any matter covered by Paragraph 5 of this Agreement (an "Arbitrable Dispute") between you the Company and/or any
of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, this arbitration agreement applies to all matters relating to this Agreement, your employment with and/or
termination from the Company, including disputes about the validity, interpretation, or effect of this Agreement, or alleged violations of it, any payments due to you hereunder, and further including
all claims arising out of any alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, including, but not limited to those covered by the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e  et seq.; the federal
Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and the federal Americans With Disabilities Act. 

        (b)    The Arbitration.    Arbitration will take place in New York City, New York before a single experienced
employment arbitrator licensed to practice law in the State of New York and selected in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator
may not modify or change this Agreement in any way. 

        (c)    Fees and Expenses.    Each party will pay the fees of their respective attorneys, the expenses of their
witnesses, and any other expenses connected with the arbitration, but all other costs of the arbitration, including the fees of the arbitrator, cost of any record or transcript of the arbitration,
administrative fees, and other fees and costs will be paid in equal shares by the Company and you. 

        (d)    Exclusive Forum.    Arbitration in the manner described in this Paragraph 9 will be the exclusive forum
for any Arbitrable Dispute. Should you or the Company attempt to resolve an Arbitrable Dispute by any method other than arbitration pursuant to this Paragraph 9, the responding party will be
entitled to recover from the initiating party all damages, expenses, and attorneys' fees incurred as a result of that breach. The provisions of this Paragraph 9 will survive any termination of
this Agreement. 

        10.    Indemnification.    

        The
Company will indemnify you to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against damages in connection with your status or performance of duties as an officer or employee of the
Company or its affiliates. This provision will survive any termination of this Agreement. 

        11.    Representations and Covenants of Executive.    

        (a)   You
represent, warrant and covenant that: (i) you have the full right and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform your obligations hereunder;
(ii) you are not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of your duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term; and
(iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement will not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment or agreement to which you are subject
(including, without limitation, any agreement with the entity that employed you prior to your commencement of employment hereunder (your "prior employer")). 

        (b)   You
agree not to disclose to the Company or its affiliates, or induce the Company or its affiliates to use, any confidential or proprietary information that is the
property of your prior employer or other third parties. 

        12.    Governing Law.    

        The
validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law principles. 

8

 

        13.    Amendment; Waiver.    

        No
provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. A waiver of any
conditions or provisions of this Agreement in a given instance will not be deemed a waiver of such conditions or provisions at any other time. 

        14.    Cooperation.    

        You
will provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action or proceeding (or any appeal from any suit, action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during
your employment with the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their predecessors; provided, that the Company will reimburse you for expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such
cooperation. The parties will act reasonably in structuring any such required cooperation so as not to interfere unreasonably with any subsequent employment you may have. This provision will survive
any termination of this Agreement. 

        15.    Validity.    

        The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which will remain in full
force and effect. 

        16.    Counterparts.    

        This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute the same instrument. 

        17.    Entire Agreement.    

        This
Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company and its affiliates; all oral or written agreements or representations, express or implied, with respect to
the subject matter of this Agreement are set forth in this Agreement. All prior employment agreements, term sheets, understandings and obligations (whether written, oral, express or implied), if any,
between you and the Company and its affiliates, are terminated as of the Effective Date and are superseded by this Agreement. 

[remainder of this page intentionally left blank] 

9

 

        If
you are in agreement with the foregoing, please acknowledge your agreement and acceptance by signing below. 

	 	 	Very truly yours,
	

 	
 	

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
	

 	
 	

By:	

/s/        
 Name:

Title:
	

Accepted and agreed:	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	 	 
	

/s/  HANS GIESKES      
 HANS GIESKES	
 	

 	

 

10

 

        If
you are in agreement with the foregoing, please acknowledge your agreement and acceptance by signing below. 

	 	 	Very truly yours,
	

 	
 	

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
	

 	
 	

By:	

/s/        
 Name:

Title:
	

Accepted and agreed:	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/  HANS GIESKES      
 HANS GIESKES	
 	

 	

 

11

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.11

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